Heritance, Kandalama, owned and operated by hospitality chain, Aitken Spence Hotels, would add more sustainability features to the hotel soon.
General Manager Heritance, Kandalama, Priyan Wijerathne, said that they are planning to add a boat service linking the hotel and the nearby island to provide a novel experience for gusts. “We are planning this with a great responsiveness, as not to disturb natural environment. We would build a small pier and use only boats sans any motor.”
In a bid to stop vehicles coming into the reception area to drop and pick guests, the hotel would soon introduce a special transport system from the security check point, by the use of solar/electric powered buggies to further reduce the environmental and noise pollution to the hotel. ”
Last month, Heritance Kandalama, was the only property to be recognised in the Platinum category, by the National Sustainability Tourism Certification (NSTC), which was the highest accolade awarded by the NSTC, whilst securing a special award for Environmental Preservation. This recognition was convened by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) with the technical and financial assistance of Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of UNDP in mid-2018.
“We continually work towards improving the process on an yearly basis, combining our expertise with emerging trends to serve the industry in the most sustainable manner,” she added further.
Heritance Kandalama, pioneered the integration of environment and social conscious practices into hotel operations, while implementing an extensive 7R system (Reject, Reduce, Reuse, Reclaim, Repair, Replace and Recycle) to reduce carbon and the waste footprint.
Among its many accreditations are Heritance Kandalama being the first Green Globe 21 certified hotel in Asia, the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified hotel in the world and the first hotel chain in the World to have a certified energy management system (ISO 50001:2011).
“The hotel is also planning to provide a hot air ballooning experience to hotel guests, by joining with one of the operators in the area.”
Commenting on the occupancy and impact from the Easter Sunday blasts, he said the effect was not ‘bad,’ as they expected. “Our local guests occupancy increased, hence the impact was not very significant.”
Wijerathne, counting over two decades experience in the hospitality sector, having worked overseas as well said that the hotel would also aggressively keep on investing on their CSR activities. “We will start training of youth of or hospitality school from September 30 and during the last year we trained and employed over 30 youth from the area.”
A landmark initiative of Heritance Kandalama, is the enriching forest cover through reforestation and conservation. “Heritance Kandalama, a pioneer of great many eco-initiatives, celebrated 25 years this year and we have housed over 2 million guests.” (SS)
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