Tika Traveller

Discover Sri Lanka & Maldives From Those Who Know It Best

Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Category: News

Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, Olympia London, 30 January to 02 February 2020

TikaWeeks #52/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 23rd December 2019

Nearly at the end of the year and at least the days are getting longer now that we are past the Winter Solstice – well, infinitesimally anyway! We hope that you have a fun-filled festive season and all of the best for 2020. Remember to come and see us at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at London Olympia next month. We will be closed from lunchtime tomorrow to 06 January 2020, although emails will be checked regularly.

TikaWeeks #50/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th December 2019

Discover your next adventure at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, in association with The Times and The Sunday Times, the UK’s biggest event for travel inspiration taking place at Olympia London from 30 January to 02 February 2020. Come to visit us on stand AP38 and also get your complimentary e-tickets to the Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show courtesy of Tikalanka by quoting EXTIKA.

Supporters of Gotabaya Rajapaksa celebrate his election victory in Colombo (courtesy of Eranga Jayawardena/AP)

TikaWeeks #47/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th November 2019

Sri Lanka has a new President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, another of the brothers from the infamous political dynasty. Running his campaign on strengthening security and the economy, his objectives seem to have struck a chord with the majority Sinhalese Buddhist community, which makes up over 70% of the island’s population, particularly following the atrocities perpetrated on Easter Sunday. However, is Gotabaya Rajapaksa the president Sri Lankans need?

Earth and Moon taken from space, with Sri Lanka clearly visible (courtesy of NASA ESA)

TikaWeeks #42/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 18th October 2019

Travel pledges that encourage foreign visitors to be more sustainable and respectful to the host nation are becoming popular around the world, although some experts are sceptical because there is no current evidence to support their effectiveness. I believe that such incentives can work if all involved are committed to responsible tourism. Today, we launch our “Tika Travel Troth” – RESPECT – which aims to promote awareness of a visitor’s duty to be a responsible, respectful and sustainable guest.

A portrait of Thomas Cook, circa 1850, and early tickets (courtesy of The Guardian/Getty Images/Alamy)

TikaWeeks #39/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 26th September 2019

The failure of another behemoth of the travel industry in as many years this week suggests that small is indeed beautiful. When the world’s oldest tour operator and top travel brand goes to the wall it signals a change in the way people source and book holidays. This week’s update discusses global travel trends, Sri Lanka’s current monsoon rains and upcoming presidential election, and next year’s cricket tour of the island by England.

Greta Thunberg and youth climate activists protest outside White House (courtesy of The Guardian/Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)

TikaWeeks #38/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 17th September 2019

“If not you, then who? If not now, then when?” Greta Thunberg single-handedly raised awareness of the risks posed by climate change by staging a school strike last year. Since then she has become a household name. On 20 September, millions of people will walk out of their workplaces and homes to join the Global Climate Strike and demand an end to the age of fossil fuels and climate justice for all. Tikalanka will join them.

Prince Harry launching Travalyst (courtesy of The Guardian/Gareth Fuller/PA)

TikaWeeks #37/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 14th September 2019

With Prince Harry launching the sustainable travel initiative, Travalyst, earlier this month, some of the big players in the travel industry are finally taking the climate emergency seriously, which is definitely a ‘good thing’. However, more needs to be done – and fast. Reducing our reliance on carbon-emitting flights and plastic is a necessity along with everyday lifestyle changes for the sake of the health of the entire planet.

John, Sue, Maya, Arwen, Tarzan & Tracey (taking photo) claiming The Knott (High Street) for 'Another Waynwright Day', Lake District, UK

TikaWeeks #35-4/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 1st September 2019

Yesterday was “Another Waynwright Day”, a unique event with the worthy aim of encouraging as many people as possible to venture out onto the Lakeland Fells in Cumbria, specifically the 214 Wainwright Fells, to demonstrate their commitment to the conservation and protection of the physical and natural environment. It also officially launched Another Way, a registered charity with a mission to empower people to change their own lives for the health and happiness of themselves, their community and our planet, which Tikalanka wholeheartedly supports.

Wind turbine at Keldhead, Askham, Penrith, UK

TikaWeeks #35-3/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 28th August 2019

All of our Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays promoted by ResponsibleTravel.com now have a “My promise to reduce carbon emissions in my destination” section outlining our low carbon objectives. We work hard to reduce Tikalanka’s carbon footprint in Sri Lanka whilst acknowledging the impact of long-haul flights. We also have implemented low carbon practices at home.

TikaWeeks #35-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 27th August 2019

More good news from Sri Lanka: the government has officially lifted the state of emergency imposed after a series of suicide attacks on Easter Sunday. The end of emergency rule hopefully signals that the situation in the country is back to normal. The US$4.4bn tourism industry has suffered significantly since April, with tourist arrivals slumping by 70% in May and 57% in June, compared with the previous year.

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