Responsible Travel

Be sensitive to local culture

• As a couple, it's best not to be too exuberant. Try to avoid lip-kissing in public.
• Smoking and drinking in public are strictly forbidden.
• On Full moon Poya days and excise holidays, alcoholic drinks, neither in hotels nor in bars or places of celebration are available.
• Be prepared to answer, on numerous times, personal questions like: “Where are you from? Where are you going? Are you married? How old are you? etc...” Most people are simply trying to be friendly, to practice their English skills or start a conversation
• “Locals will never criticise you, but will be embarrassed and politely keep their opinions to themselves

Respect cultural sites

• Do not point your feet towards a person, a temple or the statue of a God. Take off your shoes, hats and sunglasses before entering holy places like Buddhist and Hindu temples and mosques.
• Never put your back on the Buddha and when you walk around the pagodas, turn in a clockwise direction.
• You don't shake a monk's hand. Sit lower than him. Gifts are offered with both hands. A monk is not offered food after 12 noon. For a woman, it is not appropriate to stand or sit close to a monk.
• As in all countries of the world, modest clothing is required for visiting religious places. The dresses or skirts that will cover the knees, the shoes, preferably "flip-flops" are recommended. Shoes and hats will be removed before entering religious sites.

2. Child Protection

Do not give gifts or buy anything from children.

• Do not give gifts, money or sweets to children (Including children with an adult) who are begging, as it keeps them out of school and encourages begging at the destination. Our guides and chauffeur guides have been trained to react appropriately when confronted by such situations, should you witness a child being at risk, please tell your guide / chauffeur guide or you can report to the following numbers.
• Authorities you can report cases of child abuse
• National Child Protection Authority - Dial: 1929
• Police - Dial: 119

3. Purchasing Behaviour

Support the local economy.

• Sri Lanka offers visitors a wide variety of food and drink, both local and international. The delicious local dishes, however, are very spicy and it is recommended to share your taste preferences and to add the spices at the last moment. Hygiene standards are not respected everywhere and therefore, it is strongly recommended to ask your chauffeur / guide for the right addresses if you wish to eat outside your hotel/ planned restaurants. Never forget to wash and peel the fruits before consuming them.
• Must try local delicacies: Hoppers, string hoppers, milk rice, roti, pittu, curd & treacle, jaggery, tropical fruits like duriyan, different types of mangoes and bananas, traditional sweets like Kewum, Kokis, and Mun Kewum, tea, toddy (sap of the palm tree), local arrack (fermented toddy which comes in varying degrees of strength).
• Special local artisanal products such as handicrafts of silver, brass, ceramics, wood, terracotta, masks, cane baskets, straw hats, lace and lacquer ware are also popular. Sri Lanka is also rich in gems. Local fabrics include handloom, batik, cotton, rayon, silk and fine lace.

Protect the Fauna and Flora

• Do not buy any wild animals either dead or alive, including specimens of parrots, birds of prey, scorpions, and reptiles.
• Trading of elephants, big cats such as tigers and leopards, primates, marine animals alive or dead and animal parts such as meat, ivory, bones, shells is illegal.
• Other wild animal parts such as turtle, pangolin, monkey, red tuna, seahorses, shells, coral and more should not be purchased.
• Taking live plants, out of its natural habitat is illegal.
• Do not buy any furniture made of timber or other natural materials taken from the forest and the natural ecosystem.
• Do not purchase historical artefacts, souvenirs made of shells, corals, precious wood or any endangered species.
• Do not purchase traditional Asian medicines containing leopard bone, bear bile and pangolin.

Please visit IUCN red list and CITES treaty (CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival). For more information regarding threatened/endangered species of wild fauna and flora.

4. Natural Areas

“Look with your eyes, bring back memories, and leave things just the way they are”.

• When snorkeling, be aware that touching coral formations hinder their growth – and note that coral cuts are prone to infection. Do not collect nor buy any coral.
• Stay on the beaten tracks during treks.
• Support conservation, reach out to your Travel Consultant to find more information about our collaboration with Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration project and how you can be a part of this initiative to extend your support during your stay in Sri Lanka.

5. Respect the environment

“Leave only footprints”

Anti-plastic attitude

Please consider adding the amenities below if possible and convenient (At Walkers Tours, we try to encourage our mutual customers to be environmentally friendly and conscious during their travels). This is not a must but a kind request.

• A filtered/ reusable water bottle/ a glass bottle to re-fill
• A set of bamboo/ wooden cutlery
• For women, cups or biodegradable napkins
• Reusable tote bags to avoid plastic supermarket bags
• A reusable bamboo or stainless-steel straw

Save energy and water

• Use air conditioner sensibly at your hotel and when you travel in your vehicle.
• We have trained our chauffeur guides to switch on the air conditioner only when you are inside the vehicle.
• Remember to close taps and witch off lights when not in use.
• You can choose not to have your towels and bed lined changed daily.