Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka’s most award winning hotel, has once again been rated as the best five-star resort on the island for the third consecutive year, while also being welcomed into the prestigious Hall of Fame, at the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism, held on 15 June at the BMICH in Colombo.

The objective of this prestigious awards ceremony is to recognise and reward excellence among industry stakeholders of past and present and to encourage and ensure an even greater contribution in the future. The awards criterion is designed to motivate industry stakeholders to work towards the primary goal of sustainable development in the tourism industry.

Heritance Kandalama was adjudged the winner of the five-star resort category by a distinguished panel of judges based on a comprehensive evaluation criteria comprising revenue generation, innovation, social, cultural, environmental and economic best practices, as well as its contribution as a role model for tourism excellence.

“The ability to provide the world’s finest guest experiences is made tangible by the accolades won by Heritance Kandalama.  The awards won by the hotel are a testament of our commitment to our guests and the environment in which we operate. At Heritance Kandalama award-winning service is more the expectation than the rule, and has become part of our culture which we are all very proud of,” said B. H. R. Sariffo’deen, Assistant Vice President, Aitken Spence Hotels.

“We are delighted that Heritance Kandalama has for the third consecutive year been recognized by the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism.  It is a great honour to have been awarded a place in the hall of fame, which attests to our goal of striving continuously to ensure that the guest experience at our hotel is unparalleled globally.  Being recognised as the country’s best is a humbling experience, which has invigorated our commitment for delivering exceptional experiences to our guests,” said Jeevaka Weerakone, General Manager, Heritance Kandalama.

Heritance Kandalama is positioned regally by the placid waters of the Kandalama tank;  it surveys the rich wildlife that visits its precincts. Located amidst verdant jungle, calm waters and rocky mountains, it offers a holiday where one can wake up to bird calls, stunning vistas, profuse foliage and absolute luxury.  Heritance Kandalama is flanked by two UNESCO world heritage sites – the 1st century BC Dambulla rock temple and the 5th century AD Sigiriya rock fortress, while it also has its share of unrivalled international recognition.

“Winning this award for the third consecutive year is another endorsement of our commitment towards maintaining a high standard of service at our hotels. We will continuously yearn to position Sri Lanka as a world-class tourist destination,” said Malin Hapugoda, Managing Director, Aitken Spence Hotels.

The company’s premier resorts operate under Heritance Hotels & Resorts.  Its latest Heritance property in India will be Heritance Cochin, opening in 2011. It will join award-winning Hertitance Hotels & Resorts portfolio consisting of Heritance Kandalama, Heritance Ahungalla and Heritance Tea Factory.

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