In conversation with DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort General Manager Krishanta Damunupola
By Jennifer Anandanayagam
Last week, Hilton announced the opening of the 78-room DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort in the heart of the idyllic Weerawila Tissa Bird Sanctuary. The newly built resort is owned by KDU Adventures (Pvt.) Ltd. and joins Hilton Colombo and Hilton Colombo Residences as the third hotel to be managed by Hilton in the country.
A new hotel amidst a pandemic quite aptly wasn’t without its raised eyebrows in reactions, so we caught up with DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort General Manager Krishanta Damunupola.
“The tourism industry of Sri Lanka has survived many challenges over the last four decades and has shown strength and resilience in pursuing and overcoming difficult situations. Once again, we need to unite as a country, learn from our history, regain, and overcome this pandemic situation so that we can look forward to days of greener pastures,” shared Damunupola.
Damunupola has 27 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having developed a liking for the field while he was reading for his bachelor’s at the University of Colombo.
“I was with Hilton Hotels & Resorts in Europe as well as in Africa, and here I am heading the expansion of Hilton’s presence in Sri Lanka where our wait for 23 years came to an end on 24 November with the opening of the first DoubleTree by Hilton property in Sri Lanka.”
Here are excerpts from the interview.
What is DoubleTree by Hilton in Weerawila going to embody in terms of experience and amenities, and industry-wise?
DoubleTree by Hilton is about doing small things right to ensure the guest feels the warmth of hospitality, which DoubleTree by Hilton is well known for. Most importantly, DoubleTree is world renowned for its signature chocolate chip cookie that is served to welcome guests. We will ensure we provide an unforgettable and mesmerising experience to guests from their check-in to check-out.
What are the unique challenges you as the General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton are going to have to tackle in the backdrop of the current pandemic and its future implications?
Opening a new resort is very challenging during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, we strongly believe that tough times never last and good times will come. We are hopeful that we will overcome these challenges. We are keen on taking this challenge step by step and coming onboard. We strongly believe that we will come out of the current situation.
Opening a hotel at a time like this is challenging, to say the very least, with the future of tourism unknown. Care to comment?
Opening a hotel shows we are ready to go against the tide, expecting a travel boom once this Covid-19 pandemic comes to an end as people are confined indoors and many seek getaways.
Tell me a little bit about Weerawila as a destination. I am told the bird sanctuaries are a selling point. What are its other attractions?
Weerawila was not a travel destination prior to DoubleTree setting up its first hotel there. The Hilton brand had the confidence that Weerawila would become the hottest spot in Sri Lanka. We are here to make Weerawila the most sought destination by travellers. The locality is known for the Weerawila Tissa Sanctuary where you find over 400 species of both endemic and migrant birds. Having said that, we are the platform to provide hospitality to guests seeking an experience with nature.
What do you think the future of travel and tourism is going to look like for Sri Lanka and globally?
I think it will be quite exciting. Once the pandemic comes to an end, I am positive that the hospitality industry will bounce back within a short period of time. I believe that there will be a boom in the tourism industry as was seen many times from the 2003 SARS situation to the 2008 economic crisis.
DoubleTree by Hilton is said to be one of your fastest-growing brands with a presence of more than 600 upscale hotels across 47 countries. How is the pandemic affecting operations within this chain of hotels? What are the challenges and what are the opportunities?
Hilton being a global brand, we have proved that we are optimistic on a global lockdown and facing the challenge of ensuring that all our loyal travellers will experience a safe environment between our sister properties globally. Even with the current landscape, we have proved that our developments are effective and we will continue to look forward to face and experience in the travel boom.
Tell me a little bit about the cuisine at DoubleTree by Hilton in Weerawila.
As an upcoming leisure destination, we guarantee best-in-class food and beverage offerings. Named after birds, our restaurants and bars offer international and local delicacies with a twist.
We have special menus designed to fulfil the desires of our guests. Our Executive Chef takes pride in preparing scrumptious meals with fresh local and seasonal produce appealing to even the greatest food critic.
If you could give one message to Sri Lankans at the moment, what would it be?
Sri Lanka is a multi-climatic island nation where you can hunt waterfalls in the morning and relax by the beach in the late afternoon. The country has hidden gems. There are so many destinations yet to be explored; I for one can easily say that no one has seen the entire country yet. This period of no outward travel from the country should be taken as an opportunity to explore hidden gems of nature and destinations in your own motherland.
If you could give one message to foreigners with an interest in visiting Sri Lanka at the moment, what would it be?
Once the pandemic is over, Sri Lanka is expected to become the go-to holiday destination in South Asia. Sri Lanka is world renowned as the most hospitable country in the world. Even during the lockdown period, Sri Lankans have taken very good care of the foreign tourists stranded within the country – especially in Ella, where locals have provided free food and accommodation to these people without considering race, religion, and ethnicity, or skin colour. Some countries have even designated Sri Lanka as a “travel-safe” destination even during the current period, as we followed stringent practices for containing the spread of the pandemic.
Therefore, I would rightfully say that Sri Lanka is the destination where you must travel to; we are safe and we are ready to make your memories last a lifetime.