Jono and Ben are no strangers to radio and television audiences in New Zealand. Having been in the entertainment industry since 2012, the duo is known for their witty humour, and currently co-host The Hits Breakfast show on iHeart radio in New Zealand.
Dilmah Ceylon Tea is no stranger to New Zealand households, either, with Dilmah teas and infusions being a favourite among Kiwi tea drinkers. So, it was the perfect collaboration between Jono and Ben, and Dilmah to endorse our beautiful little island as a must-visit destination for New Zealanders. Dilmah Chairman Dilhan C. Fernando and his son Amrit, the third generation in the family business, took great pleasure in keeping their two guests company and showing them how the legacy of their father/grandfather continue to live on through the brand.
A glance through Jono and Ben’s Instagram reels gives an idea of how much they enjoyed Sri Lanka, and the many activities and attractions that the island has to offer. Of course, having Dilmah as their host only amped up the experience. The lads were given behind-the-scenes access to Dilmah Head Office operations, guided tours of Dilmah’s Dunkeld Tea Factory and luscious tea gardens (including a crash course in tea plucking!), and the opportunity to experience the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality at our spectacular Ceylon Tea Trails planters’ bungalows.
From luxury in the hills to glamping at the edge of jungle-meets-beach, Jono and Ben were also treated to a stay at Wild Coast Tented Lodge in Yala, where they came face-to-face with local wildlife at breathtakingly-close proximity – both on site as well as on safari at Yala National Park. The contrast between locations of the boutique properties in the hills and in Yala – all of which are owned and run by Resplendent Ceylon, MJF Group’s luxury hospitality arm – is a reflection of the versatility that Sri Lanka can offer within a few hours’ road travel.
Jono and Ben also got to experience first-hand how Dilmah continues to imbue our beloved late Founder Merrill J. Fernando’s philosophy of “business is a matter of human service” through the MJF Charitable Foundation’s programmes for marginalised women, children, youth and communities. A visit to Dilmah Conservation’s Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe National Park proved to be another eye-opener as the duo got to witness how Dilmah contributes towards the well-being and preservation of nature as well.
The most exciting aspect of all of this is that five pairs of Dilmah tea drinkers in New Zealand now stand a chance to win a trip to Sri Lanka and share in the same amazing experiences that Jono and Ben did. While at the Dilmah Head Office, the Kiwi lads slipped a couple of Golden Teabag Tickets into two boxes of Dilmah Ceylon Tea that were bound for retail outlets in New Zealand. In addition, Dilmah has put in three further Golden Teabag Tickets in tea packs that were New Zealand-bound. If you’re reading this from Kiwi-land, we strongly suggest that you head over to your nearest supermarket and stock up on some Dilmah Ceylon Tea. Who knows, you could be the next lucky winners to enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to our serendipitous island!
While extending our thanks to Singapore Airlines, Resplendent Ceylon and The Hits Breakfast for their partnership, we would like to wish all our Dilmah friends in New Zealand the best of luck in their quest for the Golden Teabag Tickets! We look forward to welcoming you here in Sri Lanka!
