Financial Times

Tourism 2020: capturing the spirit of travel
Glimpse into the future
By Random Access Memory (RAM)
Tom and Janet have just got off the hovercraft, where they made the journey from the Colombo International Airport, Katunayake to The Retreat;the mind-body wellness resort at the Bentota Backwaters, where they plan to spend the next three weeks of their stay, in the exotic isle of Sri Lanka.

The seaplane ride from the airport would have been faster, but the couple opted for the adventure. They knew that they would perhaps see more of the hinterland of this beautiful country, than their friends Peter, Muriel and the two children.

They took the duel-engine amphibian craft from the pier at the Negombo Lagoon. They were also told of the fast expressway ride by car which was by far, less costly. But that did not impress them at all.

They had mixed feelings when they waded through the built urban environment, when passing through the city of Colombo. The intensity of the low cost housing along the banks of the old Dutch cannels surprised them. The brochures they read, had not described the journey that well.

They were told only that a near miracle had been created by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in Sri Lanka in cleaning the banks of the canals and resettling the many hundreds of thousands of people in better facilities.

They had once lived in dire poverty in what were known as, shanty dwellings. The scenery was lovely in patches, especially when the hovercraft took to the various lakes and narrow channels to take them to their destination. They were glad that the fast craft made virtually no sound and reduced its speed, when passing through some areas.

That was not to disturb the rich bird life they absorbed as dawn was breaking, making the views of some of the lagoons and lakes even more spectacular.

They had heard so much about The Retreat, from their friends who had been regular visitors to Sri Lanka for a few years now. They were all members of the same mind-body wellness meditation group in the UK and met three or four times a week to spend time exercising, meditating and sharing their lifes experiences with each other.

The lady who visited the groups meeting several months ago, representing the Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Authority, had inspired them further to take on this experience and had painted a picture perfect image of what to expect. They were to stay at a resort which was owned and operated by a special community group from the area, who were once employees at the Bentota resort located close by.

A major non-governmental organisation which promotes self-help type entrepreneurial development among rural communities had helped them, to set up this exclusive up-market resort.

They were told that it is based on a model, much different to what had been known for several decades in the country. This perhaps was one of the reasons the couple made the decision to take their next retreat in Sri Lanka. All their earlier visits to Asia had been to Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Bali or Chiang Mai.

They looked forward to the ensuing days with child-like eagerness. The many sessions of morning and evening meditation, the regular Ayurveda treatment, the interactions with the village communities and fisher folk on their guided walks, the row boat rides to explore nature and the well interpreted tours to the temples and churches in the area were all to be part of the experience they were to have.

Then there were the visits to Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Pollonnaruwa, and the Dutch Fort in Galle, on their itinerary for the second week. They were told that The Retreat would ensure that they will be experiencing the ancient splendour of this beautiful island, with the most qualified interpreters accompanying them.

They were looking forward to learning the over two thousand five hundred years of recorded history and hearing the many stories of the great sons and daughters of these people. A people of whom, they have heard so much about.

So far they have only seen the faces with broad smiles across them, presenting the traditional greetings of Ayubowan and “Bohoma Stuthiy”. Tom and Janet already knew what they meant and enjoyed returning the wishes for long life and sharing the sense of appreciation. They were to get all this, for UK Pounds 300 a day. What little price to pay, for such good value, they thought.

Back to Business