Tea and Eco Lodge Matale to engage in Agro-based exports

A trendsetter in the Sri Lankan hospitality sector, Chairman of Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge near Matale, Philippe Gomez would be engaging in Agro-based exports from products sourced from their hotel. This is a first for the local leisure industry,

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 and hope to start exports targeting the EE market early next year. In a bid to support the community we also have an out grower system and their products too would reach the export market. In a bid to add more technology and professionalism for this initiative we have recruited Undergraduate of Wayamba University Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management, Mahisha Rathnakumara to improve the organic farming and our tea and other 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 and later invested in this 24-acre tea estate during the peak of the LTTE terror attacks having confidence in Sri Lanka as an emerging tourist destination.

“My research in Sri Lanka found that there were no high-quality purpose-built boutique hotels and to fill this void in the hospitality landscape, I introduced the luxury boutique hotel clamping concept to the island installing high-quality tents from South Africa. I designed and built the reception, dining, kitchen and bar area, mixing unique local and French architecture. We also have a library, pool table office in his area. 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.

“In addition to bringing in more luxury I also built an infinity swimming pool confronting the panoramic view of Knuckles Mountain and added a modern gym, spa and a heli pad to accommodate high end clients.”

General Manager, Madulkelle Tea & Eco lodge Thissa Ruberu a former active member of the chamber administration said that today the hotel with 19 shelters that could accommodate around 45 guests 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.”