Kerala Privateers Pushing Plantations & Spas

Bhisham Mansukhani - Mumbai

Diversifying from the theme of Ayurveda and backwaters, Kerala privateers are pushing forward the tea plantation and spas concept. One of the first to tap this market is Carmelia Haven, situated in the town of Vandanmedu which is perched 4,000 feet above sea level and is the world's largest producer of Cardamom. It is gifted with some of Kerala's largest tea and cardamom plantations.

Conversely, international hospitality brand, Serena Spa which boasts over 20 spa resorts worldwide, manages the 35-acre Vythiri Resorts in a virtually natural habitat in Wayanad, to the extent that every room has its own private stream.

Ray Chacko, sales and marketing manager, Serena Spa, says, "A spa has to rejuvenate its guest in every sense of the word. We do that by taking the guest back to nature. The emphasis is not on creating an artificial atmosphere but using the one that mother nature has already provided." Both locations share one commonality - using natural resources to weave their respective themes of tourism. Carmelia haven is one of the most eco-friendly resort in Kerala, situated within 50 acres farm of tea and cardamom plantation and has tree houses and cave bedrooms for lodging.

According to G Rajendran, general manager, Carmelia "Carmelia has introduced tea plantation tourism which is a more engaging dimension of sightseeing tours. Kerala has been associated with Ayurveda for a long time and it has almost become a cliché. There is a need to add to the compendium of thematic tourism and education in different forms is definitely a new flavour." Carmelia Haven also owns three Cardamom auction centres that hold weekly auction and provide tourists with an authentic experience of the tea plantation business as it has always been. The resort is in fact coined the 'Plantation Resort' spread over 54 acres, within the plantation. Guests are taken on a spice plantation tour including a visit to the tea factory.

"Earlier, tourists would just take the tour in a hurry. Nowadays, the tours have become longer and the guides are kept busy with a barrage of questions," Rajendran observes. Carmelia is already mulling plans for another resort along similar lines in Munnar in the near future. Chacko points out that it is important to make this concept accessible to the mid market. "One room night is Rs 3850 per couple with meals and taxes. The resort has 33 rooms, so though it is a small property, it has been reasonably priced. Serena is already planning to set up another spa in Trivandrum with the Surya Samudra Hotel. Indications are that Kerala Tourism has seized upon this theme. Rajendran reveals, "Kerala Tourism has supported us with useful exposure at the annual Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) and by endorsing new concepts."