EKHO Safari Tissa
Perfect domestic traveller base for exploring Ruhuna
The tourists’ arrivals to Sri Lanka have dropped drastically since the deadly terror attack on Easter Sunday and the chaotic incidents that followed. Tourism is the worst affected sector in the country, threatening over 10,000 jobs directly and indirectly. The Southern and South West Coasts, Kandy, East Coast, Cultural Triangle and the wildlife destinations are the badly affected areas. ‘It is now the responsibility of the domestic travellers to keep the home fires burning. Only Sri Lankans can prevent the once booming tourism industry from crashing. It is understood that various travel advisories are reducing the arrival of tourists. I believe this is the time to improve the domestic tourism industry and encourage our own Sri Lankans to travel and patronise hotels at affordable rates’, said Chandra Mohotti, Senior Vice President at Galle Face Hotel Management Co. Ltd and the General Manager, Waters Edge.
EKHO Safari Hotel in Tissamaharama is one of the popular hotels that comes under Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC), which is a property of the Galle Face Hotel Management Co. Ltd. Coming under the direct supervision of veteran hotelier Chandra Mohotti, CHC is the pioneering friendly domestic chain of hotels and resorts in the country.
‘I always believed and wanted to give the first preference to the domestic travel industry. If properly organised and supported, the ‘Domestic Travel Market’ is almost as big as the overseas segment, when it comes to revenue generation. The Chairman of Galle Face Group, Sanjeev Gardiner, too, always believed and wanted to promote the Sri Lankan domestic travel segment. We as CHC have the biggest number of collection rooms under our name than any other Sri Lankan hotel chain’ Mr. Mohotti added. The EKHO Safari Hotel in Tissa is aptly named, as it is the perfect base for safaris to the Yala National Park as well as being within easy driving distance of the Bundala Bird Sanctuary.
Yala National Park, according to research, has the world’s biggest leopard density and is probably the best place in the world to spot leopards, sloth bears, elephants, and a whole host of birdlife.
EKHO Safari, popularly known as ‘CHC Tissa Rest House’ or ‘Tissa Maha Hotalaya’, is a rejuvenating retreat for travellers, located by the banks of the ancient ‘Tissamaharama Wewa’.
‘It is strategically located close to many places of religious and cultural interest such as the much visited Shrine in Kataragama and the popular Yala Park’ said Lilan Jayaweera, the Resident Manager of the Resort.
Not only that, it is located on the banks of the Tissa Wewa, the man-made reservoir that is a paradise for birdlife and wonderful for a boat safari. And for pilgrims it is the ideal place to stay, being within a short drive from Kataragama.
Over the years the Tissa Rest House expanded, first to resort level and then was brilliantly transformed into The Safari Hotel 2011, and with more modern and sophisticated facilities, baptised as EKHO Safari Tissa in December 2016.
The rustic image has been retained, however. The roof is thatched and the lobby lounge columns are huge tree trunks. There are no doors and no air-conditioning in the open-sided reception pavilion.
Tissa EKHO Safari Hotel comprises 50 guestrooms, while guests are given the opportunity to choose between 47 deluxe rooms and three suites.
The suites have additional living spaces and en-suite dining facilities. All accommodation units are well equipped with modern amenities and en-suite bathrooms.
All 50 bedrooms share the distinctive features of a modern and stylish makeover. Gone are the creaky ceiling fans, replaced with the latest in individual air-conditioning units. Instead of curtains, there are sliding blinds.
Ground floor rooms open with sliding doors onto the garden, with the pool just a couple of paces away. There is also a sundeck over the bank of the reservoir with plenty of wooden sun-lounges and sunshades.
The main restaurant at EKHO Safari is located next to the pool, where guests can enjoy a range of local and western cuisines.
‘We serve authentic Sri Lankan food and fresh sea food straight from the Kirinda beach. We always consider guests needs and are ready to cater what they want for the meals’ said Ex. Chef Saman Senadeera.
‘BBQ facilities and outside dining by the lake or pool are possible on request’ he added.
Kataragama and Kiri Vehera are the top of the list for a visit for the domestic travellers, while foreign as well as Sri Lankan adventure lovers sign up for a jeep safari to the Yala National Park.
An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings areas, including cycling, fishing and hiking.
Further afield, for nature lovers, is the Bundala Bird Sanctuary on the south coast or a tour of the development projects changing the landscape and the future of Hambantota. Film fans can enjoy a stroll through the film-set town and village buildings at the National Tele-cinema Park, a short drive from the hotel. For more details, contact 0475677620-3, 0472237299, 0774778474or log onto www. www.ekhohotels.com
The special room rates at the EKHO Safari ranges from Rs. 12,500/- (FBD) to Rs. 11,250/(HBD). These discounts are in Effect till 30th June.