Keells Resorts bagged three coveted awards at the just concluded Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2011.

Sri Lanka Tourism Awards pays tribute to organizations and individuals for their excellence and inspired achievements whilst contributing towards the strengthening and empowering of our nation’s tourism industry.

Winning the award for the ‘Best Five Star Resort’ was Cinnamon Lodge Habarana. The resort is luxurious, but remains uncompromisingly eco-friendly.

It is the only five star resort located within the cultural triangle that has artfully blended history and culture into spaces, having used Sri Lanka’s ancient architectural features and incorporated that into the concept of the resort, which fittingly sits within the cultural triangle.

Adding the five star hospitality and luxury features is a mix that is unique and unparalleled.

Named as a tribute to the surrounding milieu of t he Yala National Park, which houses the highest density of leopards in Asia, Chaaya Wild Yala was named as the ‘Best Accommodation unit/ Establishment’ under the category of ‘ Nature and Wildlife’. Whether it is the beautiful villu full of fluttering birds or Leopard in the distance, Chaaya Wild has an unending vista of views for any guest to enjoy.

At Chaaya Wild, what remains constant is the fact that each aspect of the product on offer, is symbolic of the intricacies and beauty of the wild and therefore, designed to ensure that the natural look and feel will always remain undisturbed.

“Chaaya Wild believes wholeheartedly in the concept of responsible tourism, where businesses practice a brand of tourism that benefits both humankind and the fauna and flora and where, the business through its actions, reduces its carbon footprint with minimum disturbance to the natural phenomena in its locality. The benefits must be tangible and permeate even to the community who are impacted by the organization’s very presence,” said Jayantissa Kehelpannala; Sector Head for Sri Lankan Resorts.

He reiterated that Cinnamon Lodge Habarana too does not merely focus on providing its supreme stakeholder ‘the guests’ with an unforgettable holiday experience; but also cares for the needs of t he community in which it operates. The green initiatives that were taken up by the resort have been remarkable and will prove to be improved in the future.

The resident team of naturalists at John Keells Resorts, Nature Trails, having an indepth knowledge of the look and feel of the surroundings in which the resorts are located was awarded as ‘Best Service Provider’.

The expert team allows them to i nnovate unique excursions that have never been done before such as night safaris in Yala, while also adding value to the regular safaris and other excursions with their extensive and expansive knowledge of sightings, habitats, frequencies and species.

In fact, the team’s expertise and knowledge are sought after by many international wildlife authors, documentary film makers and photographers, evidenced by such wildlife celebrities disseminating information for their future projects, some of which are already in the international media.