with Mr. Marcelline Paul, Executive Vice President, Uga Resorts
Sri Lanka’s Uga Resorts has emerged as one of the most dynamic players in the luxury boutique hospitality space, expanding rapidly while staying true to its roots in sustainability, cultural preservation, and authentic guest experiences. Founded on a philosophy of responsible travel, Uga has grown significantly in the post-pandemic era, adding three new properties and strengthening its presence across Sri Lanka’s tea estates, coasts, wildlife regions, and heritage zones. From LEED-certified developments to Travelife-accredited operations, the brand continues to demonstrate that luxury and environmental responsibility can coexist seamlessly.
In this exclusive interview, Mr. Marcelline Paul, Executive Vice President of Uga Resorts, discusses how the company ensures its sustainability ethos remains a genuine operational differentiator rather than a marketing narrative, the travel trends driving their confident expansion, and how Uga is redefining the idea of “a destination within a destination” for key markets like India. He also sheds light on how Uga supports travel partners with seamless logistics, caters to India’s booming wedding and MICE markets, and helps reshape visitor perceptions of Sri Lanka as a safe, world-class tourism destination.
At Uga Ulagalla, Uga promoted sustainability, which is where Uga got its start. How do you make sure that the brand’s strong dedication to the environment and local tradition continues to be a key operational differentiation rather than merely a marketing statement as it rapidly expands (three new properties since COVID)?
Sustainability is part of Uga DNA, and properties are built with sustainability and community in mind. By following Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) guidelines and playing an active role in achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) and embedding Responsible Travel and Regenerative Tourism concepts into our internal processes, we continuously improve our sustainability performances, as well as engaging our staff, guests, and other stakeholders in our sustainability practices. Uga Ulagalla launched in 2010 as a LEED Silver certified project and Uga Chena Huts is a LEED Gold certified property.
Emphasizing our continued commitment to sustainable travel and tourism ethos, Uga Ulagalla, Uga Bay, Uga Jungle Beach and Uga Chena Huts are certified as per Travelife Certification standards for 7 consecutive years.
Uga Resorts allocates USD 1.50 per room night to CSR initiatives focused on Water- Wildlife-Women. Key projects include partnering with the Centre for Conservation and Research to establish the Elephant Research Centre at Uga Ulagalla, constructing a 3.74km electric fence benefiting 70 families to prevent Human-Elephant Conflict, and installing seven Reverse Osmosis plants providing safe drinking water to 1,060 families (6,400 individuals) in regions affected by kidney disease.
Uga increased female employment from 11% to 16% over four years, with Uga Ulagalla and Uga Bay leading this growth, targeting 20% women across all properties by 2027 to advance gender equality.
Our dedication to local tradition stems from the company’s approach centring on creating authentic luxury experiences that are deeply connected to the island’s character, with each property thoughtfully designed to reflect its surroundings and celebrate Sri Lanka’s distinctive heritage. Properties such as Uga Ulagalla, Uga Riva and Uga Halloowella, which are historical buildings, have been meticulously restored to preserve their heritage. And each property creates experiences that honour the culture and traditions of the island. A perfect example is the Kamatha dining experience at Uga Ulagalla, offering a unique deep-dive into Sri Lankan cuisine and cooking methods with local women from the village managing the entire experience, from cooking 25 dishes to warmly hosting the guests.
It is an incredibly confident growth strategy to open three new luxury properties. What particular market signals or changes in traveller demand, based on your 25 years of experience, gave Uga the confidence to grow so rapidly when many others were being cautious?
The Uga Resorts expansion has been driven by the distinctive characteristics of travellers who are increasingly prioritizing experiential travel, authenticity, and boutique luxury over large-scale resort experiences.
Following the disruption of COVID-19, tourism in Sri Lanka is also demonstrating significant recovery, with Uga Resorts experiencing remarkable growth in key markets over the past year. This resurgence aligns with broader trends showing strong performance in the luxury sector across the region and travellers’ preference for purpose-driven experiences, including nature retreats and culinary tourism.
Uga is also committed to strategically positioning its luxury properties across Sri Lanka’s most iconic destinations, enabling guests to experience the island’s complete diversity entirely within the portfolio, as each property offers distinct destination experiences tailored to its specific location. Uga stands as the only luxury brand in Sri Lanka offering comprehensive access to tea country hill estates, the Cultural Triangle’s ancient heritage sites, wildlife experiences near Yala and other national parks, and coastal destinations on both the east and west/north-west coasts.
This comprehensive footprint allows travellers to journey through Sri Lanka’s complete spectrum of landscapes and experiences while maintaining consistent luxury standards, with each property offering bespoke culinary journeys and unique immersive activities that reflect the essence of each destination.
You refer to Uga’s properties as a “destination within a destination.” What does this mean practically for the important Indian market, especially families and groups? Could you give an example of an on-site experience at a resort like Uga Chena Huts or Uga Jungle Beach that is tailored especially for an Indian family, giving them the impression that their vacation is complete without ever leaving the resort?
For the Indian market, Uga’s “destination within a destination” concept means providing a self-contained luxury experience where families and groups find everything they need on-property. Uga’s luxury resorts across Sri Lanka’s breathtaking destinations are designed to immerse guests in the local environment without requiring external excursions.
Uga excels at providing intimate, private settings. Properties like Uga Halloowella with only six suites offer privacy ideal for bespoke family takeovers, while locations like Uga Chena Huts provide access to wildlife and cultural sites guided by expert rangers and comfortable vehicles.
Indian dishes are frequently included on Uga menus, and each property provides extensive vegetarian menus that address the diverse dietary preferences inherent to Indian travelers.
Uga has daringly positioned properties in picturesque, isolated areas like Yala and Anuradhapura. How do you practically strike a balance between this genuine, “back to nature” experience and the “5-star luxury” promise, and what kind of comments do you get from visitors regarding this special combination?
Uga balances nature with the five-star promise through sustainable luxury design and operations practices by striking a balance between elegance and responsibility, thereby carving out a niche in the hospitality industry.
Uga maintains premium amenities providing stunning views, spacious rooms, and curated experiences while remaining connected to the natural landscape with strong ties to the community. Every property is designed and built in a way that causes minimal damage to the landscape, and our operations are committed to reducing our ecological footprint. Luxury and sustainability really can go hand in hand, and at Uga we make this happen.
Guest reviews of Uga Chena Huts consistently praise this balance between wilderness immersion and luxury comfort. Guests describe it as an “absolutely incredible place in a beautiful setting overlooking the sea and in the buffer zone of Yala National Park, with amazing wildlife around the hotel” and recommended it as “for anyone looking for nature, luxury, and warm hospitality”.
As a seasoned professional in hospitality, you have witnessed the tremendous growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. What do you think is the most common misconception that foreign visitors, especially those from India, still hold about Sri Lanka, and how is Uga’s brand and marketing plan intended to specifically address and alter that impression in 2026?
Travellers often harbour significant misconceptions about visiting Sri Lanka, primarily centred on safety concerns and infrastructure capabilities. A common myth suggests that Sri Lanka is unsafe for tourists, though evidence demonstrates that crime against foreigners is virtually unheard of, with many finding the country exceptionally safe and are surprised to discover how welcoming and accessible the country truly is.
Practical challenges do exist, particularly regarding travel times between regions. Many visitors discover that daily itineraries involve two to three hours of travel, requiring careful planning to maintain a relaxed experience.
Uga Resorts addresses these concerns through comprehensive logistical support and premium transportation solutions. The company provides seamless travel arrangements, including private car transfers and scenic seaplane connections that significantly reduce journey times. Four of our seven properties accommodate helicopter landings directly on the property grounds or nearby, offering guests expedited access to remote destinations while showcasing Sri Lanka’s stunning landscapes from above.
The resort’s approach extends beyond transportation logistics. Their team maintains continuous communication with guests throughout the booking process and during stays, providing local insights and proactive assistance that eliminates stress from travel planning. This hands-on support transforms potential obstacles into effortless transitions, allowing visitors to focus on experiencing Sri Lanka’s welcoming culture and accessibility rather than navigating logistical complexities.
In particular, for your more isolated “nature” hotels, how does Uga help agents create seamless itineraries for Indian clients? Do you oversee all ground transportation from Colombo to guarantee a five-star experience from start to finish?
Uga addresses the logistical challenges through Uga Journeys, which provides comprehensive support for travel agents working with Indian clients.
Uga provides seamless ground handling by overseeing all transportation from Colombo, ensuring five-star service throughout the journey. For eco-lodges and jungle properties that are tucked away in secluded locations, comprehensive ground transportation becomes essential to maintain luxury standards.
Uga Journeys also provides customized multi-property itineraries. The service creates tailored travel solutions addressing specific guest requirements, allowing agents to combine multiple Uga properties seamlessly.
This approach ensures Indian families and groups experience uninterrupted five-star service, even when traveling to remote nature destinations that offer complete seclusion.
Beyond families, India is the largest market in the world for high-end MICE travel and destination weddings. What is Uga’s particular approach to this market? Do you have properties that may be entirely booked out for big Indian weddings? If so, what kinds of customisations, such as those for Jains or certain culinary requirements, are you capable of handling?
Uga’s approach to India’s booming MICE market leverages the intimate, exclusive nature of our properties. For mid-sized incentive groups requiring 15-20 rooms, properties like Uga Chena Huts, Uga Ulagalla, and Uga Ghiri offer personalized luxury experiences ideal for C-suite corporate outings and small group incentives. Over the last few years, Uga properties have hosted several Young Presidents’ Organization and Entrepreneur’s Organization events.
For more intimate gatherings needing 5-7 rooms, Uga’s villa properties – Uga Prava, Uga Riva, and Uga Halloowella – are perfect for complete buyouts, catering to family celebrations, or exclusive small group experiences. The key differentiators include limited inventory that enables full property buyouts, providing privacy and exclusivity, personalized luxury positioning that aligns with India’s demand for bespoke events, and an intimate scale designed for thoughtfully curated experiences rather than mass tourism, authentically connecting guests to their destinations.
Read more at TravelMail | Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | and Instagram for on-the-go news
