fbpx
black strip2
MONTHLY NEWS BULLETIN - JUNE 2019

Canoeing in Sri Lanka

Dear Trade Colleagues,

We are back to ‘business as usual'. Hence my situation updates have stopped too. Last few weeks we have had Presidents, Mayors, Religious Delegations, Sports Teams, Cruise Ships all visiting Sri Lanka with renewed interest. Though there are more countries to follow the lead taken by Sweden to completely take the Travel Advisory away, almost all the countries have now relaxed the advisories to a level you can promote Sri Lanka. 

Hence, I really hope Sri Lanka is back in your “Must Travel Destinations in the World” list in your business discussions with clients. That's the best help you can do for Sri Lanka right now. 

Further, as before we are ready to work with you on Fam Trips and Press Trips to showcase what we got to offer in Sri Lanka. 

In this "Journeys" you will find a few things that’ll take you away from the usual; luxurious escapism with Living Heritage Koslanda, dancing to ancient baila in the rural Sirambiadiya Kaffir Village, meeting your friendly neighborhood camp manager and mixologist (if your neighbourhood happens to be Udawalawe), answering the riddle of how you fit an elephant into a suitcase, growing green initiatives for the next generation, and finally making Sri Lanka’s Nature Guides’ Academy a recognised reality!

And you will find that as a very resilient nation and an industry we have not let go of our annual travel & tourism exhibition as well. 

What more . . 

If you haven’t begun following up on your Sri Lanka inquires yet, stop reading this newsletter and pick the phone !

Anuruddha Bandara (AB)
Founder
Experiential Journeys



Project “Back to Forest” to commemorate Environment Day

Project “Back to Forest” to commemorateEnvironment Day Eco Team celebrated Environment Day and World Forestry Day this year with a special tree planting project called “Back to Forest” in Udawalawe, Wilpattu, and Situlpawwa in Yala. Much like the usual camp activity of inviting guests to celebrate their birthday by planting a tree, we made sure the earth felt a little extra special on this day. Along with this sustainability initiative, an awareness campaign was run simultaneously at the Eco Team HQ along with an exciting quiz competition focused on nature and conservation.  ...
Read More

The art of whittling by master whittler Gunapala

The art of whittling by master whittler Gunapala How do you fit an elephant into a suitcase? By making sure the wood carving is small enough! Gunapala, hailing from a rural village in Sigiriya, is a master craftsman who turns wood into works of art to support his family of 4. Simply meet our local wood carving legend at his home-based workshop in Sigiriya, share a cup of tea, and learn the art of whittling! Not only do you personalise your souvenir of Sri Lanka with your own hands, but you also make a memory worth revisiting!  ...
Read More

The Kaffirs of the North West

The Kaffirs of the North West The Sri Lankan Kaffirs are an ethnic group in Sri Lanka who are partially descended from 16th-century Portuguese traders and African slaves, brought by them to work as labourers and soldiers to fight against the Sinhala Kings! However, you’ll find that things are a little different today when you spend an afternoon visiting the old and rural village of Sirambaidiya in Puttalam, and get to know this extraordinary community. Listen to the legends of the elders, and experience their cultural heritage through music and dance called Kaffringna, Manja and Baila!  Image Source: The Sidi Project...
Read More

Living Heritage Koslanda

Living Heritage Koslanda Surrounded by private 80 acres of magical forests on its own estate, Living Heritage Koslanda is a unique luxury boutique hotel set in the heart of Sri Lanka’s hill country. There’s no shortage of wonderful places to relax here – the breezy infinity pool above the paddy fields, your secluded courtyard surrounded by birds, the secret waterfall hidden away in the forest, tea estates and tea gardens, or even in your garden spa bath. Living Heritage Koslanda lets you reconnect with nature, while you reconnect with yourself.  ...
Read More


Frequently Asked Questions

For amazing stories on Exjourneys

Subscribe2

 

Our policy in discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

Animals Are Friends Too: Discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

We at ExJ stay away from tourism experiences that are staged and involve animal cruelty and shopping traps that are contrived to exploit and deceive clients.

Even though some of the popular ‘attractions’ are not included in our programmes due to the above reasons, we have no objections in our clients making their own arrangements with our Drivers to visit these places.

 

Why we do not promote following attractions

 

Turtle Hatcheries

As this concept has serious negative aspects in terms of conservation, we do not encourage our visitors to patronize the turtle hatcheries, as not all of them are really turtle-friendly. We instead encourage them to observe turtles in their natural habitats.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

When we became aware that the animal welfare standards there were questionable, we stopped encouraging our clients to visit the orphanage. We are pleased to observe that the Born Free Foundation has now adopted similar measures.

Elephant back rides – Habarana

There’s uncertainty surrounding the attitude of this place towards animal welfare. There may be a few ethical operators, but in general, we are not in agreement with how the place is run. We all would love a photo of us riding an elephant, but is a lifetime of pain caused to these magnificent mammals really worth a few fleeting likes on social media?

Traditional Village Tour with a Canoe Trip and Bullock-Carts – Habarana

This is a tourist trap where a lot of the trip is ‘staged’ for commercial purposes. Such fake touristic experiences will not give our visitors an idea of what life in the country is really like, so join us as we show you the real side of Sri Lanka. And at the end of every vacation, always ask yourself, “Did you feel that your holiday was ethical, eco-friendly, and reduced environmental impacts?”

Are you a Tour Operator?  Visit our Members Area

 

© 2021 Experiential Journeys Sri Lanka

HOME

EXPERIENCE

ACCOMMODATION

LOCALS TO MEET

SUSTAINABILITY

CONTACT US