Jetwing Yala ~ where environmental consciousness meets luxury
Green Global Trek was invited to a stay at Jetwing Yala and we jumped at the opportunity to experience and write about this hotel.
What we know ahead of time about Jetwing Yala is two-fold:
Firstly, the location is right next to Yala Natural Park, which is the largest of the many protected wild parks in Sri Lanka, known for sightings of leopards. It has been a while since we visited an elephant park and we have not yet been to Yala, so we are eager to go.
Secondly, we know that Jetwing Yala is the greenest most sustainable hotel in Sri Lanka, and that fact alone is a great drawing card for us.
We drive about 3.5 hours to get from the Galle region to Jetwing Yala, which is on the East Southern coast.
As we walk into the entrance of Jetwing Yala, it is clear that this hotel is something special. One immediately gets a feel of spaciousness and tranquility.
This is one of the restaurants and seating areas with a gorgeous view over the sand dunes to the Indian Ocean, which is a few steps away. The thatched roof combines well with the modern glass structure to create a very enticing area.
Environmental Best Practices role modeled at Jetwing Yala
This glass water bottle is the first hint we get that Jetwing Yala does things differently. Indeed, Jetwing Yala we learn, has its own water desalination and bottling plant on the premises of the hotel. Seeing this first indication of forward thinking eco practices leaves us thirsty for more!
(Before we launched into the Asian chapter of our Green Global Trek, nearly 3 years ago now, we lived in Nicaragua, Latin America. There we were determined to have positive environmental impact. We launched bamboo plantations and created a social impact business that tackled directly climate mitigation and climate adaptation by building low carbon bamboo houses for victims of hurricane rendered homeless. Ever since, we have had a vested interest in discovering climate mitigating business practices wherever we can.)
The obliging management team at the hotel accommodates our request for a deep dive into their environmentally sound choices. The range of practices instituted at Jetwing Yala covers the gamut. Renewable energy (solar), water desalination, solid waste management, composting, bio-gas for steam generation…
Source : GreenGlobalTrek
