Eco-resort KumbukRiver has stopped selling room nights in the wake of the debilitating Easter terror attacks. It is growing forests instead and the resort is giving away free holidays to people contributing.
“We are asking people to book trees; so instead of room nights, they order how many trees they’d like us to plant and nurture. It’s a perfectly resourceful answer to a desperately difficult situation,” says Dr. Dinesh Watawana, the international journalist-turned tourism promoter who masterminded KumbukRiver the sensational eco-resort which put Sri Lanka on the world map of tourism, winning the Travel Oscar as the world’s leading eco-lodge while also entering the list of world’s top 10 most unusual hotels.
Located in Buttala, on the northern-edge of Yala National Park, KumbukRiver is steering an ambitious sustainable development drive through Geo-Explore Foundation which founded the unique resort. The Easter attacks in Sri Lanka turned the tourism industry on its head. Travellers want to return but travel warnings are causing bigger damage. We employ villagers who are an integral part of our conservation mandate. It is our responsibility to take care of them, says Dr. Watawana.
As our room inventory depleted overnight, we found strength in adversity and are increasing our tree inventory. The funds will sustain our reforestation programme while helping to sustain the lives of many, he said. Donors need to contribute to growing 10 trees to get a free night for two at US 10 per tree, the amount is about 35% less than the standard room rates as well, and with the cost of the reforestation programme, makes it essentially a contribution to nature.The plants currently grown in KumbukRiver’s Green House include Kumbuk, Mee and Karanda – trees that make an integral part of the Yala buffer zone.