As Sri Lanka experiences a “tourism renaissance”, Uga Resorts is confident its well-established approach to luxury will set it apart from the fast-rising competition.
Speaking to LATTE, Uga Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing Marcelline Paul said the breadth of Sri Lanka’s tourism offering is driving demand for travel to the destination following past challenges.
“The country’s exceptional appeal lies in its remarkable diversity, offering the richness of an entire continent compressed within a single island destination,” he said. Travellers are drawn by the country’s offer of safari, tea country, pristine beaches and ancient cultural sites as well as its reputation for warm hospitality.
“We believe the future is bright, and this optimistic outlook stems from a fundamental alignment between evolving traveller preferences and Sri Lanka’s core strengths,” Paul said.
“Today’s travellers actively seek meaningful journeys and nature-led experiences, precisely the offerings in which Sri Lanka excels. Combined with the country’s increasingly recognised vibrant local cuisine gaining prominence on the global stage, Sri Lanka is well-positioned to meet the demands of discerning international visitors seeking authentic, transformative travel experiences.”
Former misconceptions about visiting Sri Lanka around its safety and infrastructure capabilities do linger, Paul admitted. But travellers soon discover that is “exceptionally safe” and accessible upon experiencing it first hand. “Evidence demonstrates that crime against foreigners is virtually unheard of,” he said.
There are some practical challenges around travel between the regions, but Uga counters these by offering its own comprehensive transport solutions that include private car transfers and scenic seaplane connections that significantly reduce journey times. “Four of our seven properties accommodate helicopter landings directly on the property grounds or nearby,” he said.
Now, as the country’s tourism industry adopts a fresh energy, there is a burst of investment into new luxury product. But Paul is confident that Uga’s focus on authentic local ownership, intimate property design and meaningful community engagement set it apart.
“As a Sri Lankan-owned and operated hotel group, Uga Resorts brings an inherent understanding of indigenous culture, history, and local communities that international brands cannot replicate,” he said.
“Each property is intentionally small and curated, deeply connected to its location while telling a unique story of the island through immersive experiences ranging from traditional dining at Uga Ulagalla to leopard spotting in Yala and tea country exploration along the Pekoe Trail.”
Social responsibility is another defining feature of the company demonstrated by its “active engagement” with neighbouring villages. Employment opportunities, skills development programs and infrastructure initiatives are some of the ways Uga is bring Sri Lanka’s communities along on its journey.
“Perhaps most distinctive is Uga Resorts’ exceptional land-to-room ratio of nearly one acre per room across its seven properties,” Paul added. “This unprecedented allocation ensures unparalleled privacy and seclusion.”
Australia is a “top priority” market for Uga Resorts as a result of Aussie travellers preference for experiential getaways and boutique luxury over big brands, Paul shared.
“Prior to the pandemic, Australia ranked as the third largest source market for Uga Resorts,” he said. “Following the disruption of COVID-19, the Australian market is demonstrating significant recovery, with Uga Resorts experiencing a remarkable 72% growth from this market over the past year.”
To further build on this uptick, Uga has put in place a “comprehensive” engagement strategy which focuses on developing trade partnerships, famils and targeted marketing campaigns.
