Keeping the island’s spirits high at Botanik Rooftop
Three months after the Easter Sunday blasts, the hospitality industry is striving to find its feet once more. Aiming to lend a helping hand, ‘The Island Spirit’ campaign continues today (July 28) at the Botanik Rooftop Bistro and Bar.
Staff of Why House: Hopeful
Presented by travel company ‘The Island Story’, in collaboration with Botanik Rooftop Bistro and Bar, this initiative has its partner hotels and villas offering give aways and promotions to some exclusive properties in the country.
Anyone dining at Botanik today would also get the chance to win a free night at one of the following boutique hotels and villas. These include Cantaloupe Levels, Cantaloupe Aqua, Cantaloupe House Ahangama, Rukgala Retreat, Gal Oya Lodge, Ashburnham Estate, The Rainforest Ecolodge – Sri Lanka, Boutique 87 and Why House
“The Island Spirit is also a celebratory event, because of our Sri Lankan spirit, which is resilient and strong. And it has recovered quite a bit in a span of three months,” The Island Story’s Head of Sales and Marketing Sugala Senanayake explains.
She adds her company aims to give the traveller a fresh perspective of Sri Lanka. “We’re not marketing these hotels and villas for what they are. Rather, we’re telling our travellers about the magic behind the properties, about the past owners and its history etc.”
Several of the resort representatives were hopeful that sales will pick up. But, at the moment they are heavily dependent on the local market.
Chairman, Jetwing Hotels Ltd Shiromal Cooray said it was humbling to witness how everyone is deeply committed to showcasing Sri Lanka and working to restore the lost perception that it is safe as any other country. “It is great to be a part of this initiative as it’s important to support each other to get back on our feet,” she says.
Happy to be here: Monica Bratuti and Matthew Davies
Also partnering with the Island Spirit is Chairman of the Rainforest Ecolodge (Pvt) Ltd Prema Cooray, who says it is a pleasure to hold hands with a few likeminded properties during this time and give a message of hope.
“We are increasingly convinced that all our supporting tourism countries are rallying round at this time and we feel a great interest to come back to Sri Lanka – it is evidenced by the bookings we are receiving on a daily basis,” he added.
Nadeem Rajabdeen, Co-Director of Cantaloupe and Co tells us the purpose of the giveaways was to introduce the partner properties to the local market, “and for us to be able to engage with Sri Lankans and give them a good local offering which we’ll be able to customise.”
Another aim of ‘The Island Spirit’ was to help the heart and soul of the hotels and villas, which is their staff. Henrietta Cottam from ‘Why House’, a partner hotel, introducing us to her staff said that after the attacks, their main aim was not to have to let their staff go.
Holidaying in Sri Lanka Monica Bratuti and Matthew Davies were intrigued by the offers up for grabs and keen to give the country a try. “I’m from Mexico, where you hear a lot of ugly stuff from the media about the country from people away from the country. But, it doesn’t show the real picture,” Monika said, adding that she feels this is the same situation with Sri Lanka. “There’s still a lot of places you can go and be safe and it’s not a problem. I’m happy to be here because it’s a good gastronomic experience and the people are nice.”
For more information see su@theislandstory.lk follow @botanikbistrobar on Instagram and Facebook or visit the event page https://www.facebook.com/events/638340206646285/ or email Sugala on sugala@theislandstory.lk