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We actively encourage responsible and sustainable travel to Sri Lanka. By working closely with our associate company in Sri Lanka and other partner organisations, we are endeavouring to promote cultural exchange, social awareness, self-employment and self-development.
Ranweli Vacation Village: This is a truly environmentally sensitive and ecologically committed resort. It is recognised as a model ecotourism property worldwide, gaining awards and commendations from British Airways, Virgin Vacations and the World Tourism Organization. Ranweli Vacation Village supports local nature clubs and schools, hires staff locally, and practises environmental principles by efficiently using its resources – energy & water – and effectively managing its waste – liquid & solid waste and emissions – to minimise the impact on the environment. The resort utilises solar energy for showers and uses biodegradable local materials as much as possible. Ranweli Vacation Village is a member of The International Ecotourism Society (with an executive on the Board of Directors), Ecoclub and the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, and an affiliate of Birdlife International.
Guides: We only employ English-speaking Sri Lankan chauffeur guides who are all licensed by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. Experienced guides for trekking, safaris and other specialist activities are hired locally and have extensive knowledge of their chosen area of expertise.
Transportation: Our small group sizes (up to 8 persons) allows us to use cars, small vans or jeeps when traveling around the island and when visiting rural areas and national parks, where use of larger vehicles in such areas often results in widening and ‘blacktopping’ of rural paths for coach access. The resulting effect on the environment can be devastating. We feel that our small group sizes also lead to less impact both on the environment and the people that we visit as well as allowing for more supervision, advice and explanations with the high ratio of guides to travelers.
Accommodation: We actively promote locally owned hotels that employ local workers, particularly accredited eco-friendly accommodation. This policy contributes directly to the local economy and provides local employment while enhancing the visitor’s experience of Sri Lanka.
Restaurants: Embracing local cuisine is an essential part of any vacation if the visitor is to understand the country’s culture and savour its culinary delights. We encourage travelers to eat at traditional restaurants, roadside eateries, street vendors and market stalls in order for them to enjoy and experience authentic Sri Lankan food.
Community-led projects: The Asian Tsunami highlighted the plight of coastal communities in Sri Lanka and our initial projects were targeted at Sri Lankan individuals and communities devastated by the tsunami (please ask us for details). However, many other communities away from the coast also lack essential materials and services and our objective is to offer long-term support to such Sri Lankan individuals and communities. By channelling all donations received by Forgotten Village Sri Lanka (a charitable organisation currently applying for charitable status with the Charity Commission) into community-based projects on the island, we hope to provide sustained assistance to these communities in their endeavour to improve their lives. We make a contribution to Forgotten Village Sri Lanka for every vacation booked.
John spent most of the 90s traveling extensively around Asia. Whilst backpacking in Kandy, Sri Lanka, for the millennium New Year, he bumped into local lad, Pathi. They quickly became close and Pathi introduced John to his whole family. A decade later, the two friends still speak every day and share a successful company offering intimate tours of Sri Lanka that really get under the skin of this beautiful, diverse country. John operates from the UK, providing customers with a bespoke service, and Pathi, in Kandy, arranges a welcome team of fully trained chauffer guides who are proud to show off their home.
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We invite every traveler who books a vacation via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the vacations they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same vacation can have different views!
