10 new experiences and properties to help you sell Sri Lanka
The compact paradise of Sri Lanka has overcome several challenging years and is now welcoming luxury travellers with a wealth of new experiences and properties
Sri Lanka enchants visitors with its mesmerising landscapes, varied wildlife, rich history and warm hospitality. The UK has traditionally been the country’s largest European source market, generating 199,000 arrivals in 2019. While the repercussions of Covid and political and economic turmoil saw this drop to 82,000 in 2022, this figure is expected to double in 2023, according to Chalaka Gajabahu, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
He explains: “Sri Lanka is fully recovered from the Covid pandemic and has gotten back on its feet from the economic downturn. Luxury travellers can now travel to their dream long-haul paradise island without any travel hassles and restrictions, and there are many new luxury properties opening up during 2023.”
Malik Fernando, managing director of Sri Lankan hotel brand Resplendent Ceylon, says the country is experiencing “a gradual and very encouraging pick-up in occupancy”, adding: “Due to the recovery starting late, hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka have significant availability compared to previous years. Last-minute getaways are significantly easier to book – there are also a number of attractive offers, which means guests receive more value for money.”
Sri Lanka specialist Experience Travel Group saw a 300% increase in bookings in January compared with the monthly average for the preceding quarter, including numerous last-minute departures and rebookings.
Co-founder Sam Clark predicts the country will be popular with families seeking a long-haul adventure this summer. He explains: “Sri Lanka works so well at that time for a family holiday, with great weather and its mixture of wildlife, scenery, culture, beach and gorgeous hotels, offering something for the whole family."
Here are 10 top ways to sell Sri Lanka:
1. Peaceful pilgrimage
Travellers can hike the new Pekoe Trail, following traditional tea-picking paths through the cooler climes of the mountainous interior. The 200-mile network of trails passes through 80 villages, with numerous food stalls along the way. It can be done in any direction, with multiple entry and exit points, and it’s suitable for clients with a moderate level of fitness. The social enterprise has been 10 years in the making and is designed to benefit remote communities, promote the area’s diverse cultural and natural heritage and showcase the breathtaking scenery. Experience Travel Group offers guided tours with a private guide and immersive experiences, staying at boutique hotels, experiencetravelgroup.com
2. Private paradise
CV Villas has expanded its Above Collection of luxury, fully staffed villas with a selection of Sri Lankan boltholes. The range has already proven popular with small groups of adults and families with older children, particularly the immaculate Surya. Described as one of the specialist’s most beautiful Sri Lankan villas, the beachfront property is located near the southern coastal town of Koggala. It boasts four bedrooms, which are all separately accessed and overlook the Indian Ocean. Guests can roam through the bougainvillea-framed gardens, lounge by the infinity pool or get competitive in the games room, while staff on hand include a manager, housekeeper and chef, cvvillas.com
3. Refresh and rejuvenate
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle invites relaxation, from the coconut palm-fringed beach to the grand villas overlooking the ocean and extensive dining offering (bookable via Inspiring Travel). The hotel’s complimentary experience menu has now expanded and includes a labyrinth walking meditation in the Anantara Spa herbal garden. Guests can visit the new Ayurvedic herbal dispensary, where a bespoke combination of indigenous herbal plants are selected, and join sunset meditation with a monk, bonfire sessions with a yoga master and culinary adventures at a kitchen in a paddy field. Wellness packages are also available, anantara.com
4. Into the wild
For an enthralling mix of conservation, community and crafts, consider Wild Frontiers’ new 14-day Adventures with Purpose itinerary, which takes in a host of iconic heritage sites and is packed with memorable moments. Clients will join a hermit monk for a private meditation session, have a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor, discover ancient art in a cave temple and learn traditional crafts. They’ll spot incredible wildlife (look out for turtle hatchlings and leopards) and support projects including a thimble workshop that empowers local women. Accommodation includes the Ceylon Wild Safaris tented camp in Yala National Park, a stay with a Sri Lankan family and the Kaju Green eco lodges, wildfrontierstravel.com
5. Jumbo jaunt
Sri Lankan elephants are under immense threat from human-elephant conflict, but hotel group Uga Escapes is using tourism to make a positive impact. The team at the boutique Uga Ulagalla hotel work closely with leading experts to help track nearby elephants, and fund local projects to help reduce issues between elephants and communities. Visitors can learn about their mighty neighbours at the on-site Elephant Research Centre, which is filled with maps, information and photographs. Located in the centre of the Cultural Triangle, the hotel offers 25 villas with private pools, surrounded by a 58-acre garden with a 150-year-old mansion at its centre, ugaescapes.com
6. Family playground
SevenTravel’s new 15-night multigenerational family itinerary is designed to deliver the maximum wow factor with minimal impact on the environment. Inspire adventurers of all ages with a private guided hike to the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress and watch the monkeys of Polonnaruwa while learning about conservation work supporting them. Continue with a tuk-tuk ride through Kandy and a scenic train ride into tea country, where clients can go mountain biking, white-water rafting and canyoning. Foodies will be tempted with a trip to a spice and fruit plantation, a Colombo food tour and a visit to a tea factory, seventravel.co.uk
7. Meet the locals
Get up close to Sri Lanka’s majestic landscapes from a deluxe tented lodge at Wild Glamping Gal Oya, which opened in January and is available through operators including Kuoni and Classic Collection. Located in Rathugala in the south east of the island, it’s the 11th property from Thema Collection (formerly Theme Resorts & Spas) – the village is home to the indigenous Vedda community, who lead treks through the forest and to the lost monastery of Rajagala. Guests can also explore the 30-acre organic farm and join a safari in the Gal Oya National Park. The hotel champions sustainable practices – it was built using local materials and most electricity is supplied by solar power, themacollection.com
8. Villa vacations
A host of new villas are now available from Scott Williams (scottwilliams.co.uk), which launched its 17-strong Sri Lankan portfolio in November. It includes the Merchant’s House (pictured), which is one of the largest properties in the heart of Unesco-listed Galle Fort, and it sleeps up to 10 with a games room and pool, as well as coming with a housekeeper and chef. For a boutique hotel vibe with plenty of privacy, Eden Villas (stay.edenvillas.com) has introduced the newly renovated Maliga Kanda, also near Galle, which features a pool, gym, spa and team of staff.
9. Boutique brand debut
The team behind Resplendent Ceylon have launched a new brand Reverie, kicking o with two properties on the south coast. The laid-back, boutique collection includes Kayaam House in Tangalle and Ahu Bay in Ahungalla (pictured), with Kelburne Estate opening in Haputale in December. Beach house-style Ahu Bay offers four suites and a trio of three-bedroom beach villas – all available individually or exclusively – alongside a casual all-day dining venue, manicured lawns, beach cabanas, a spa and infinity pool. The group has also created a private guided culinary journey (bookable via Abercrombie & Kent), where visitors explore the local landscape, dishes and traditions while moving between three Resplendent Ceylon resorts, thereverie.life
10. Architectural idol
Travellers can stay at nine-key Lunuganga Country Estate, the retreat of famed pioneering Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Found near the beach town of Bentota, the recently refurbished property and its landscaped gardens are now managed by Teardrop Hotels and it features a new pool, offering a stylish base to explore the area. Also on Unforgettable Travel Company’s The Best of Sri Lanka itinerary, clients set off from Colombo and visit Sigiriya, Kandy, Wellawaya and Galle, experiencing history, culture, food, wildlife, adventure and epic scenery at a relaxed pace over 11 days, unforgettabletravel.com
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