Ayu in the Wild’s Sustainable Travel Policy
Responsible Tourism: We are Sri Lanka’s only Travel Partner endorsed by The Long Run - a community that ensures travel experiences have a positive impact, and that conservation is socially and financially sustainable. Our private trips restore. Each customized slow travel itinerary is driven by a purpose to help you explore the unusual, support several responsible tourism initiatives, strongly support local communities and conservation efforts. Above all, we encourage a healthy respect for authentic local interactions.
The luxury of an Ayu in the Wild Sri Lanka itinerary is our intentional commitment to curate only a limited number of utterly personalized, once in a lifetime adventure each year, for travelers looking to discover Sri Lanka in a meaningful way that brings the greatest benefit to the island.
The 10 guiding principles of our Sustainability Policy
Low foot-fall tourism : As a 100% locally owned business, based in Sri Lanka, we are mindful of the negative impacts of tourism on a biodiversity hotspot and have followed the principles of low-footfall travel since our inception in 2012 by limiting our tripload, each season.
We plough back profits for a purpose : Using our tourism revenue we fund our own sustanability initiatives like the Classrooms in the Wild education initiative, Dance Therapy for special kids initiative, and sustained our staff todate without loss of income. We also partner and collaborate with industry partners through our Sustainable Travel Sri Lanka Initiative and we have supported the Wildlife and Wilderness Conservation Trust.
Slower itineraries: We curate itineraries that are purposefully 'slowed-down'. Our authentic Sri Lanka cultural experiences, create community-based tourism models which are based on local wisdom, honor their traditions, and help sustain the sacred spaces and their history.
Women's empowerment : Encouraging women to be a part of the productive work force while balancing personal commitments is important to us. We encourage hybrid work whenever required, allow employees paid leave beyond legally required limits,encourage creative learning, and have zero tolerance for discrimination based on race or religion. We also go that extra mile to support experiences hosted by women. Maybe, we are a little gender imbalanced - but never in a discriminating way!
Circular Economies: Each trip supports as many Sri Lankans as possible from local community-based jeep drivers, farmers, artisans, long standing chauffeurs, experts in history, folklore, and storytelling - people, who's livelihoods have strengthened as our business evolved.
Respectful local experiences: All experiences have been personally curated by the Founders of Ayu in the Wild with local community based hosts. Each experience reflects the local way of life; respects and protects local culture, tradition and heritage; and are designed to sustain the island's natural capital.
Responsible suppliers: In the few instances where we depend on experiences that are hosted by external partners, we ensure to personally vet their responsible practices - whether its at bushwalks camps or hiring a service provider for an adventure activity. Through Sustainable Travel Sri Lanka a self-funded concept driven by the Founders of Ayu in the Wild, we engage with Hotels and Ecolodges in Sri Lanka to collate and disseminate their best practices on water conservation, waste management, sustaining the sense of place, support locals, wetland conservation etc.
Sensitive to ecosystem degradation and wildlife: Every trip is curated mindfully to ease the pressure put on biologically diverse ecosystems in Sri Lanka by encouraging guests to make choices like a the climate conscious Walks of Sri Lanka designed as Biodiversity Treks rather than over overcrowding National Parks on a weekend safari. We avoid plastics on our trips, use reusable utensils and include expert Naturalist Guides who are teachers, advocates, conservationists, and messengers of the island's natural capital and are firm advocates of our ethos of respect for wildlife.
Climate: From creating digital itineraries available offline, sourcing carbon friendly activities for guests like, walks, canoe rides, boat safaris, cycle rides; and using natural ventilation in our office space, we make intentional choices to be climate friendly. Read more about Being Climate-Conscious at Ayu in the Wild.
Client's Safety : Guests benefit from a 24/7 helpline during their travel. With our extensive network of local contacts and having our ear to the ground at all times, we are able to response immediately and proactively to any emergency. We emphasise the need to follow guidelines of expert guides on all activities. Ayu in the Wild holidays is a fully insured, licensed travel agency.
These are the threads that connect our core values to the tailor made holidays to Sri Lanka that we design with much thought and care.
For bespoke travel to Sri Lanka, send us an enquiry. Ayu in the Wild is a 100% Sri Lankan owner-run boutique travel agency based in Sri Lanka, curating tailor made private trips that restore and regenerate, since 2012. Discover Sri Lanka with the island’s only Travel Partner of The Long Run - a membership community committed to holistic sustainability. Founders of @sustainabletravelsrilanka