Heritance Tea Factory only Hotel to Win a PATA Grand Award in 2012

February 25, 2012, 3:45 pm 

Heritance Tea Factory, a property belonging to Aitken Spence Hotels PLC, created by transforming an abandoned shell of a tea factory into a world class eco-friendly hotel incorporating the tea manufacturing culture in its surroundings at Heathersett Estate near Nuwara Eliya will carry a PATA Grand Award when the Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) meets in Kuala Lumpur in April.

This is the only hotel to take a Grand Award, its owners said.

PATA Grand Awards are presented to outstanding entries in four principal categories: marketing; education and training; environment; and heritage and culture. The other Grand Award winners being the Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, for Education and Training; Tourism Authority of Thailand for Environment; and Tourism New Zealand for Marketing.

`` Heritance Tea Factory is the only hotel to be recognized as a Grand Award winner amongst 180 entries from 79 organizations world wide at the PATA Gold Awards 2012,’’ its owners said in a news release.

The award lauds the property for successfully transforming an abandoned tea factory building into an eco-friendly, world-class hotel while incorporating the culture of the locality into its operations.

Heritance Tea Factory the highest elevated hotel in Sri Lanka, situated 2 km above sea level was re-branded as a ‘Heritance’ property, Aitken Spence Hotels’ premier brand of resorts in late 2009 after a complete refurbishment.

The idea of turning the tea factory on a hilltop towering over Hethersett village into a hotel was that of Aitken Spence director G C Wickremsinghe. Since it opened in 1996 it has become one of the world’s most unusual places for a holiday where one can truly experience life as it were on a tea estate during the colonial era. This depicts the true essence of a Heritance property where guests are able to experience the locality and community that surrounds the hotel.

"We are delighted to be the recipient of this prestigious award. Heritance Tea Factory has been able to very successfully project its historical and novel charm while still providing exquisite service and a world-class product to the discerning traveler. Receiving this award from PATA reaffirms our stance", said Mr. Roshalal Perera, Executive General Manager, of the hotel.

At Heritance Tea Factory addressing guests’ concern for conserving the environment is paramount. Hot water and central heating are provided by biomass from locally farmed gliricidia wood instead of from atmosphere-polluting, imported diesel while waste and water management is based on sustainable recycling processes; vegetables are organically grown or sourced locally, generating income for the area. Through its Welfare Society, the Hotel sponsors community development projects.

In order for the guests to experience the locality many excursions have been designed incorporating the local culture and environment. Guests can stroll on their own eco walks to explore the locality or join in organised trekking three times a day through the nearby Kudawatte jungle watching for birds and wild animals.

The Heritance Tea Factory experience invites guests to take part in tea plucking and see the tea they have plucked being processed in the hotel’s micro tea factory and have it presented to them in a packet the next morning. Other activities include mountain biking; mini golf; cultural events with the village community; and being pampered in a spa with a stunning view of the lush tea plantations.

"The essence of the Heritance brand is to incorporate service excellence and the local flavour and warmth in every one of our properties. It is overwhelming to be recognized by PATA for practicing what we truly believe in. We have once again put Sri Lanka on the map by being the only hotel to be recognised as a Grand Award winner amongst a multitude of world wide applicants", said Mr.Malin Hapugoda, Managing Director, Aitken Spence Hotels.

Aitken Spence Hotels operates a chain of 25 hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka, Maldives, India and Oman.