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HomeOver the course of our existence, Jetwing Beach has joined our family of hotels on the bustling Negombo strip in a collective commitment to a number of sustainable initiatives. From preserving our environment to supporting our communities, our dedication as a responsible citizen remains at the heart of our operations, continues to inspire us as a progressive symbol of sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, and the world.
Jetwing Hotels has been a pioneer of sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, guided for over five decades by the philosophy of our founder, the late Herbert Cooray. With the importance of sustainability being brought to the fore in recent times, the need for conscious decisions to be made for the future of the planet and its people is greater than ever. We believe that making changes today, however small, can lead to a better future.
By sharing our journey of sustainability, what we have learnt, and what we hope to achieve, we aim to inspire change and create a butterfly effect.
In 2009, Jetwing Beach became the first hotel in Sri Lanka to use a centralised hot water system with solar thermal panels. This renewable energy application is especially useful in meeting the hot water requirements of our entire property during daytime. An energy-efficient heat pump is available for hot water generation during night-time.
We host a 250kW grid-tied solar photovoltaic system, which supplements our grid electricity supply.
The hotel’s entire air conditioning demand is met via the renewable energy driven vapor absorption chiller housed at the adjacent Jetwing Blue. The chiller is sustainably operated via steam from the onsite biomass boiler – which is also used to generate hot water during the nights, and for laundry purposes. Fueled by cinnamon wood, the biomass boiler operates 24 hours a day and produces up to 2000 kilograms of steam per hour.
An onsite effluent treatment plant treats 100% of wastewater generated at Jetwing Beach. While the treated water is used for irrigation purposes, the sludge produced is used as a soil enhancer, ensuring that all produce from the plant contributes towards our sustainable initiatives.
Additionally, all garden sweepings and other tree clippings from the garden of Jetwing Beach are composted using a traditional above ground compost pile. The product compost is then also used a nutrient rich soil enhancer in our gardens.
Our Experience Curator leads a number of knowledge-sharing initiatives such as lectures and workshops at local schools in the area. These focus on the preservation of the environment and our biodiversity, along with discussions of prevailing issues such as waste management and environmental pollution.
At Jetwing Beach, skilled toddy tappers transform fresh coconut sap from our gardens into traditional treacle, used in our dishes and available for purchase.
The Treacle Trail Experience offers guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in this time-honoured craft, passed down through generations; while the Meegama Pick and Cook experience allows guests to engage in Sri Lanka’s rich culinary traditions guided by a local culinarian.
Our associates routinely engage in clean-up programmes along the beach infront of our property; with the collected waste undergoing efficient sorting and treatment processes. By maintaining a pristine beachfront and promoting sustainable waste management, our team helps preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of the coast.
Youth from nearby communities are recruited through the Jetwing Youth Development Programme (JYDP), which offers free training in tourism, hospitality, language, and interpersonal skills. This equips them for careers within the industry. After the training, participants receive on-the-job training and are then given the opportunity to join our family, though there is no obligation to do so.
Our communities are an integral part of our hospitality. At Jetwing Beach we work closely with religious leaders and community leaders in the area to support and empower/uplift the communities. These initiatives include need-based support such as the maintenance of a ward at the local hospital and engagement with local schools in the surrounding regions to host a number of educational lectures and workshops
Jetwing Beach is proud to be part of the local community. A majority of our team members are from the region.
As an equal opportunity employer, we ensure all associates have equal growth opportunities with promotions based solely on merit. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace.
Employee health and safety is of the utmost importance to us. We routinely inspect our spaces, maintain essential safety equipment, and provide thorough training so that all associates are well-prepared in case of an emergency.
Produce from organic garden at Jetwing Beach includes vegetables, fruits, and herbs, which are used in our hotel kitchens to prepare exquisite meals for your palate. It is also worth mentioning that the garden is irrigated from a treated waterline from the wastewater treatment plant, while diluted slurry from the biogas digester is used as an organic fertiliser.
At Jetwing Hotels, we take pride in celebrating our local cuisine. We were the first family of hotels in Sri Lanka to exclusively use local fruits, vegetables, and seafood in our culinary offerings. By focusing on local sourcing, we've built strong partnerships throughout our supply chain, with many of our suppliers located within the same district.
Minimising both plastic waste and the carbon footprint from transportation, Jetwing Beach uses glass water bottles that are filled at the glass water bottling plant in operation at the nearby Jetwing Blue.