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

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.

Family group of elephants, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Phil & Dee Hughes)

TikaWeeks #35-1/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 27th August 2019

The Wildlife Conservation Department has announced that all National Parks in Sri Lanka will be closed from 13 to 15 September 2019 for a scheduled island-wide elephant survey. All of the visitors’ bungalows operated by the Department within the National Parks will also be closed from 12 to 15 September 2019. The wild elephant census has been planned for 13 and 14 September 2019 at 250 jungle locations across the island close to water holes.

Caparisoned elephants at the Navam Maha Perahera 2019, Colombo, Sri Lanka (courtesy of dailymirror.lk)

TikaWeeks #34-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 22nd August 2019

Since 1979, the Navam Maha Perahera in Colombo, held around the Navam full moon poya day in February, has enchanted large crowds of locals and visitors alike. The procession, steeped in age-old traditions, involves much pageantry and includes masked dancers and acrobats, regional drummers, up to 50 caparisoned elephants, fire-eaters and jugglers, and marching bands. In 2020, it takes place on 07 and 08 February. Please contact us for more details.

Leopard in a tree, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Phil & Dee Hughes)

TikaWeeks #34-1/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th August 2019

The annual closure of Blocks 1 & 2 of Yala National Park has just been announced from 01 September to 31 October 2019. This allows the normalisation of the wild animals’ natural behavioural patterns and habitats, and to improve the park’s infrastructure. Blocks 3, 4 & 5 are still open to the public during this period, via the Galge entrance, which is north of Kataragama bordering Lunugamvehera National Park.

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