Jetwing Vil Uyana has been awarded the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2026 in the Ecosystem and Wildlife Conservation Initiative category, becoming the only Sri Lankan hospitality brand to receive a PATA Gold Award this year. The recognition marks the property’s third PATA Gold Award and highlights its long-standing commitment to responsible tourism.
Nestled within Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, near the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Jetwing Vil Uyana has earned international recognition for transforming a once-degraded agricultural landscape into a thriving wetland ecosystem. Since opening its doors in 2006, the 28-acre resort has combined luxury hospitality with environmental stewardship, creating habitats that support biodiversity while strengthening local water resilience.
Commenting on the achievement, Hashan Cooray, Director of Marketing and Development at Jetwing Hotels, said, “At Jetwing Hotels, sustainability is measured not only by the initiatives we implement today, but by the positive impact they create over time. The biodiversity gains recorded at Jetwing Vil Uyana over the past two decades demonstrate what can be achieved through long-term commitment, innovation, and responsible tourism. We are humbled to see these efforts recognised through a respected platform such as the PATA Gold Awards.”
A key factor behind the award was the property’s measurable conservation success. Independent biodiversity assessments conducted twenty years apart revealed substantial increases in species diversity across the site. A baseline study carried out in 2005 was replicated in 2025 by a research team from the University of Colombo, with findings highlighting significant growth in plant, bird, reptile, amphibian and fish populations across the restored ecosystem. Jetwing Vil Uyana has also become one of Sri Lanka’s premier locations for observing the threatened grey slender loris. To further support conservation efforts, three acres of the property have been dedicated as a loris conservation site, complemented by an information centre focused on habitat preservation and public awareness.
Beyond biodiversity conservation, the resort’s interconnected lakes and waterways contribute to local water security by harvesting rainwater, replenishing groundwater reserves and supporting surrounding agricultural communities. Inspired by Sri Lanka’s ancient cascade irrigation systems, these habitats continue to deliver environmental benefits while enhancing climate resilience.
Since its inception in 1984, the PATA Gold Awards represent the true spirit of innovation, sustainability, and the notion of tourism as a force for good. The PATA Gold Awards recognise excellence across a broad range of disciplines, from destination and industry marketing to emerging technology, climate action, conservation, human capital development, community-based tourism, inclusivity and youth and women empowerment.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said, “The PATA Gold Awards continue to shine a light on the creativity, innovation and commitment shaping a stronger and more sustainable tourism industry. This year’s submissions were among the strongest we have seen, reflecting the remarkable efforts of PATA members and the wider industry in pursuing excellence. The winning entries show how bold ideas can create lasting impact — from innovative marketing and emerging technologies to conservation, climate action, inclusion and community empowerment. They set new benchmarks for excellence and demonstrate tourism’s potential as a force for positive change.”
