Plans to increase plantation of vanilla, coffee and pepper
For the first time in the leisure industry, a trendsetter in the Sri Lankan hospitality sector, Chairman of Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge near Kandy, Philippe Gomez would be engaging in Agro-based exports from products from their hotel. The mentor behind the project, Philippe Gomez, a French national, said that they have already planted 4,500 Vanilla Trees, 4,000 coffee plants and 1,000 pepper plants. “We have allocated more than half of the land from the hotel property and hope to expand this plantation by nearly 6 more acres as an export-based initiative. We started this project some time ago and are ready to start exports targeting the European market in a more organized manner from early next year. In a bid to support the community we also have an out grower system and soon their products would reach the export market as well. As a new approach, we have also recruited an Undergraduate of Wayamba University Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management, Mahisha Rathnakumara to improve the organic farming, Landscape designs and our tea and vanilla cultivations and also to uplift the eco-friendly concept in the Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge.” Gomez recalled that he first visited Sri Lanka four decades ago as a part of his European tour, fell in love with the country and visited the island nation many times.
During these visits during the peak of the LTTE terror attacks he found that there were no high-quality purpose-built Boutique hotels in Sri Lanka and to fill this void in the Sri Lankan hospitality landscape he bought a 24-acre tea estate. “Since there was no clamping concept in Sri Lanka, I bought high-quality tents from South Africa and created Sri Lanka’s first glamping luxury boutique hotel with 19 shelters that could accommodate around 45 guests. To emphasize the unique culture of Sri Lanka as well as France, I also built the main premises mixing French and local architecture including a kitchen, bar, dining area, and reception. In addition to bringing in more luxury I also built an infinity swimming pool confronting the panoramic view of Knuckles Mountain. I also added a modern gym, spa and a heli pad to accommodate high end clients.” He said in a bid to give back to the community they also have a special area where items produced by the local community are sold to guests. General Manager, Madulkelle Tea & Eco lodge Thissa Ruberu a former active member of the chamber administration said that today the hotel is much sought after by both local and foreign high end clientele mainly from EU, UK, and Australia. “We have special menus to cater to every taste and have separate areas for large groups to wine and dine and offer special nature trail attractions, which are very much sought after.”
