GLX: REBUILDING TOURISM WITH PURPOSE AND TECH
Good Life X, an innovation and development catalyst geared to build
the next generation of life-enhancing sus- tainable companies, is
bringing together purpose-driven entrepreneurs, innovators,
experts, and investors to flourish together. It has its sights on
deploying tech- nology to revive leisure and travel enterprises hit
by the 2019 Easter attacks and devasted by the unfolding Covid-19
pandemic.
Sri Lanka's ever-resilient entrepreneurs in leisure and travel, the
hardest hit by Covid-19, are intent on revival with Good Life
X
GLX: Rooting entrepreneurship for a better Sri Lanka PG. 150
Giving back to the environment - a hidden gem on the hills PG.
152
A sustainable travel path protecting the planet PG. 153
Promoting conscious travel PG. 157
Fun in the sun the ethical way PG. 156
Saving rivers, having fun! All in one PG. 154
Saving the world one tea cup at a time PG. 158
An eco friendly glamping experience PG. 161
A 360 degree sustainable travel approach PG. 160
Ethical travel made easy PG. 155
A carbon neutral camping experience PG. 159
AUGUST 2021 ECHELON.LK 149
S GLX walking beside Sri Lanka’s most impacted leisure and travel
entrepreneurs to rebuild their ventures with digital tech
GLX: ROOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR A BETTER SRI LANKA
eration of life-enhancing sustainable companies. We bring together
purpose-driven entrepreneurs, innovators, experts, and investors to
flourish together. We are building an eco-system of new solutions
that are life enhancing, looking at impact and growth in a whole
different way, making quality of life something that’s accessible
to all. One main reason why we are working on verticals like food
and agriculture, wellness and travel, and even regenerative design
connected to the abundant natural resources Sri Lanka has.
We are creating a business-driven transformation through a
com-
ri Lanka’s leisure and travel space has always been an attraction
for ambitious young entrepreneurs. Yet, it is also the sector that
has got impacted from natural or man-made disasters time and time
again. If the Easter Sunday attacks saw the boom- ing leisure
industry get on reverse gear, Covid-19 saw
it crumble completely. Yet, as a nation that always bounced back
from all disasters of the past, Sri Lanka’s leisure sector
entrepreneurs are ever resilient and optimistic about the future.
Covid-19 has brought in the oppor- tunity for re-evaluating and
restrategizing for some, with GLX.
Working closely together with startups and SMEs on their
entrepreneurial journey and walking beside them on the digital
pathway to success, GLX shares a passion for entre- preneurship and
good growth. Randhula De Silva, founder of GoodLifeX (GLX) shares
her passion and purpose to support the entre- preneurial ecosystem
in Sri Lanka, which will help take our nation’s economy a notch
higher.
Tell us about GLX. What's the objective behind this initiative?
Good Life X, is an innovation and develop- ment catalyst, geared to
build the next gen-
Randhula, Shenali & Emma
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150 ECHELON.LK AUGUST 2021
S P E C I A L B R A N D E D C O N T E N T F E A T U R E
Coming out of the pandemic, the future traveller will be more
digitally attuned in their user behaviour. It's a no-brainer that
in order to bounce back and grow as the country reopens, technology
for this sector is a must. We are working with a fleet of industry
experts focusing on business sustenance, digital marketing
strategies and tools, system optimization, channel management
strategies and overall approach to sustainability, in order to not
just survive but thrive.
How many companies are currently in the GLX portfolio and how do
you select a company? Since inception, we have conducted 05
programmes and have 45 plus entrepreneurs who are in our alumni
representing food, agriculture, travel, wellness, and design
sectors. It is amazing to have them come from all over the country,
from Jaffna, Trincomalee, Ratnapura, Matara, and Colombo to name a
few. Each programme has its own application form for entrepreneurs
who fit the criteria to apply. We shortlist them according to their
efforts and readiness to the programme, followed by a rigorous
interview from which the final selections are done.
How is GLX funded and what are the future growth plans for GLX? GLX
is now a private limited company committed to work on solutions
that drives good growth in our economy through regenerative
businesses. For this purpose, we are open to working with donors,
sponsors, public and private sector institutions. Our programmes
can be funded by any- one who wants to see the purpose driven
change we are proposing. The Digital Evolver Programme is
implemented by GLX in collaboration with its incubation partner GIZ
Sri Lanka and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Talking of future work with private sector clients in creating
regenera- tive transformations in their businesses, so that their
businesses can be a contributor to healing the planet and the
people as they plug themselves into the new economy. We envision to
breed a new wave of entrepreneurs and change makers who do things
differently from how they build their products, work with their
entire value chain and to how they change the life of the end
consumer as well as their partners. It is a very ambitious journey
but since our inception to now, it's been a rewarding journey. If
someone wants to get involved in GLX, how do they go about it? The
beauty of GLX is that we thrive on collective intelligence and
action. There is a place for everyone who is rooted, collaborative
and biased to action, coming with the same mind set, and intention
of creating pur- pose-driven change to thrive together. Be it an
entrepreneur, an expert, an investor or a school kid, there’s a
seat at our table. Our ‘superpower’ is our team and the GLX
ecosystem.
We are an all-girls team on the ground, who found us through a
simple text on social media, and our new partners in progress
Anushka Wijesinhe and Arj Wignaraja resonate with us deeply with
the work we’ve done together. So, anyone interested in getting
involved, can shoot us an email, call or a text and we can meet up
to find out how we really can rethink and redesign our future
together.
munity of like-minded individuals committed to create a much more
progressive and regen- erative new economy for Asia. In 2018, we
started as a pilot project under a development sector agency. Since
then, we have come on a three-year journey, where we have not only
worked with startups but also with SMEs, as well as the travel and
tourism sector.
Who does GLX support? We launched as an accelerator looking only at
startups, but last year we launched our flagship program “GLX
Garage” catering to SMEs, who have been in the game for the long
run, who are already in the export market or ready to go all out.
Our focus is extended to companies at this level because that is
where change needs to happen the most in order to cater to the
changing demands of the global consumers and bring returns to the
coun- try. We take them through a transformative journey not only
looking at growth but good growth. Amplifying their efforts in what
they already do best, but with innovation and regeneration at
core.
If you look at the trends in food and agri- culture and even in
industries like wellness and travel, people today are asking for
dif- ferent things. They want to know where a product comes from,
how it is made, its her- itage and provenance. These are different
types of questions coming up in the global phenomena and Sri Lanka
is not fully attuned to cater to that market yet. GLX helps con-
nect Sri Lankan heritage through innovation and entrepreneurship,
and technologically driven solutions to give the world what it is
asking for. And that's how we connect the dots, between what Sri
Lanka has, what Sri Lanka is excited about and what the world is
asking for.
What is the Digital Evolver Programme? The Digital Evolver
Programme came out as a result of the pandemic. The programme is
built to support sustainably focused entrepre- neurs in the travel
and tourism sector in Sri Lanka, not only to build back their
businesses but to make them future proof, by making them more
digitally equipped and savvy.
AUGUST 2021 ECHELON.LK 151
illiam Skeen in his novel Adam’s Peak described how ‘most
hospitably’ he was entertained at the Gileemale Walawwa during an
excursion, back in 1870. Today, this splendid Sri Lankan manor,
which once hosted the famous English photographer offers great
hospitality inherent to the DNA of their lineage to travel
aficionados around the world. Gileemale Walawwa is a stunning piece
of colonial architecture, draped in 18 acres of lush greenery
nestled in Ratnapura, near the Sri Pada
mountain range. Today it is newly refurbished, combining old
classic charm with modern luxury. The brainchild of the sole owner
of the Walawwa, Ishantha Avinda Senerath Dassanayake, the 6th
generation member of the lineage of Punchi Bandara, the property
consists of two luxury suites on the upper floor, four standard
bedrooms downstairs, a Yoga and Relaxing Lounge in the open
interior courtyard, a reading room, a museum of antiques and plenty
of relaxing areas decorated with archaeological monuments and
paintings. The property has been designed to evoke a sense of peace
for the guests. The Gileemale brand is committed to safeguarding
and developing the two integral aspects that draw its splendour and
charm: the environment and the village community. This led the team
to design a sustainable tourism model that delivers environmental
stewardship and community empowerment. The ini-
W F a c e b o o k :
www.facebook.com/Gileemale-Walawwa-981148525421197 I n s t a g r a
m : www.instagram.com/gileemale_walawwa/?hl=en A d d r e s s :
Adams Peak Raja Mawatha,Ratnapura, Sri Lanka E m a i l :
[email protected] P h o n e : +94777788306
Founder: Ishantha Dassanayake Company Name: Gileemale Retreat
GIVING BACK TO THE ENVIRONMENT - A HIDDEN GEM ON THE HILLS
tiatives focused on environmental conservation and include;
rainwater harvesting, use of renewable energy, promoting freshwater
snorkelling, organic gardening, sustainable gem mining, and
biodiversity conservation.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N : Almost all
travellers now discover accommodation options and experiences, like
those offered by the Gileemale resort, through digital channels.
For Ishantha, being discoverable on these channels, using them to
share their own story, and attract travellers who seek authentic
and rare experiences, is key. The GLX Digital Evolver programme has
stepped in to help them distil their story to their ideal
clientele, using online channels. Gileemale resort has a story to
tell, but refining and driving that story to a traveller who is
today digitally savvy, through strategic digital tools and
expressive story-telling, will help the business in its next phase
of growth. The ultimate objective is to help position Gileemale as
a must-visit site for those interested in history, architecture and
an overall unique experience, rooted in sustainable
practices.
Gileemale Retreat is a 300 year old mansion located at the base of
Adam's Peak, on the Ratnapura side. On their land, they cultivate
various organic produce and offer visitors a range of activities
from bird watching, yoga retreats, and gem mining
152 ECHELON.LK AUGUST 2021
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F a c e b o o k : SUMMEREXPLORERSTravels A d d r e s s : 69/3
Diyagama Rd, Homagama E m a i l :
[email protected] P h
o n e : +94777535804, +94727871816
Summer Explorers is a destination management company organizing
tours for camping, bird watching, and hiking. They follow Leave No
Trace principles for sustainable tour operations and donate 10% of
their profits to the Summer Explorers Clean & Green Fund, used
for environmental conservation & community development
activities
A SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL PATH PROTECTING THE PLANET
Directors: Krishani Samaraweera and Sanka Kumarasinghe Company
Name: Summer Explorers Pvt Ltd
he duo has been a part of the tourism industry for almost ten
years. Through the years, they have been exposed to unsustainable
practices, such as the mis- use of natural resources, environmental
pollution and misuse of wild animals. This pushed the duo to create
something authentic that would have a positive
impact on both the planet and its people. That's when Krishani
& Sanka Samaraweera thought of starting their own unique
destination manage- ment company dedicated to sustainable
travelling, with a comprehensive sustainable travel policy. Their
travel practices have made sustainability an inherent part of all
tours. As a result, travellers actively participate in ensuring
environmental conservation, community development and better
treatment for the tourism workforce; rather than making
sustainability only a corporate practice.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N : The GLX Digital
Evolver Programme has helped the duo realise the importance of
building a holistic online brand. According to Krishani &
Sanka, a re-launch of the brand with a new name and outlook that
will demonstrate their core values is underway. With the support of
the GLX Digital Evolver initiative, Summer Explorers will
launch
a new website, where travellers can customise their trip and have a
per- sonalised experience from the planning stage itself.
Digitalisation can make the industry more sustainable by helping
com- panies create paperless offices, and improve efficiency.
Through digitisation, travellers are able to directly contact
destination management companies, activity & accommodation
providers who have a better understanding of the destination, and
can provide a more personalised travel experience. The duo is
optimistic about the future despite the industry challenges.
T
S P E C I A L B R A N D E D C O N T E N T F E A T U R E
AUGUST 2021 ECHELON.LK 153
SAVING RIVERS, HAVING FUN! ALL IN ONE Eco Grip Adventure provides
unique kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, mountain biking,
rappelling and camping expeditions. They are pioneers in safety
certifications and follow Leave No Trace principles across their
operations and are members of the Global Waste Cleaning
Network
or Trips Money Can’t Buy”, EcoGrip offers an exclusive adventure
water sports expe- rience beyond your expectations. Sameera created
EcoGrip with the vision of bridging the gap of quality and safe
service to their partners, with exceptional customer care while
maintaining a safe environmental footprint. Sustainability is a
core value in
everything they do. That’s why today, they are plastic-free on
every trip, and practice LEAVE NO TRACE principles.
Eco Grip is the only adventure company in Sri Lanka that encourages
participants to take part in plastic fishing (collecting
free-floating plastics while you kayak) and conducts river cleanups
(cleaning free-floating plastics from rivers in Sri Lanka). The
company has been awarded membership of the Global Waste Cleaning
Network for the activities they do towards making Sri Lankan rivers
plastic-free.
“We are happy to say that we are the only Sri Lankan adventure
service provider company to have this mem- bership.” says
Sameera.
The company proudly champions female empower- ment, especially
those affected by domestic violence, poverty and outsources all
food and services from these communities, by providing them an
opportunity to earn a respectable income.
As a part of their efforts to give back to the community, the team
conducts free English learning programs for youth. During the
pandemic, the team helped 400 families with either disability, lack
of proper income, single mothers, old age, by means of dry rations
to overcome malnutrition.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N : “Digitalization
is a great way to tell our story to the world. It's not just
limited to marketing, it opens many pathways and gives perspective
on handling basic tasks such as bookings, payments etc. As a
result, we established a paperless operation in 2020 that helped us
attain one of our sustainability goals.” says Sameera.
Digitalization contributes to sustainability in many ways. For Eco
Grip, it means moving to sustainable energy solutions and leaving
fossil fuels behind. Hence, digitali- zation and tourism are not
two elements, but one which will go hand in hand. Any tourism
company without a digitalization strategy will have slim chances to
survive especially in the current market.
"F
W e b s i t e : www.ecogrip.lk F a c e b o o k : EcoGrip.Adventure
I n s t a g r a m : ecogrip_adventure A d d r e s s : EcoGrip
Boathouse Boralukada Baddegama E m a i l :
[email protected] P h o
n e : +94777938273
Director: Sameera Liyanagamage Company Name: EcoGrip
154 ECHELON.LK AUGUST 2021
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W e b s i t e : www.ttcsrilanka.com F a c e b o o k : ttcsrilanka I
n s t a g r a m : thetravelconciergesrilanka A d d r e s s : 04th
Floor, 209/10,Union Place, Colombo 02 E m a i l :
[email protected] P h o n e : +94711161020
T Managing Director: Laahiru Jayamanne Company Name: The Travel
Concierge Pvt Ltd
The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka is a destination management company
that creates ethical, community focused experiences for
international tourists interested in new and unique cultural
experiences
ETHICAL TRAVEL MADE EASY
he partners and teammates of Travel Concierge had many
brainstorming sessions during the “forced” time they had due to the
travel restrictions enforced due to the Covid-19 pandemic After a
double blow, with most of their financial goals shaken, one thing
that kept the team going was their resil-
ience and ambition to fast track the milestones set earlier on. As
a result, The Travel Concierge team decided on relaunching the
brand with the help of GLX. According to Laahiru, cost-effective
and lean models will play a big role in expanding their horizons
into new markets, new territories and new revenue lines. They have
understood that the future of tourism is sustainable and
implementing sus- tainable practices has never been more
important.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N : “We will be
more directed towards gross happiness than against gross profits,
while we practice sus- tainable relationships with all our
stakeholders. We want to make a mark as Sri Lanka’s most “soulful”
DMC, “We live it, you’ll love it,” says Laahiru. The team also
plans to expand their footprints beyond the source market Asia, to
the entire world. The GLX Evolver programme has been a great
starter in their growth agenda, as they embark on a journey
leveraging the power of digitalization to build client & agent
relationships.
S P E C I A L B R A N D E D C O N T E N T F E A T U R E
AUGUST 2021 ECHELON.LK 155
W e b s i t e : www.rediscoversrilanka.com F a c e b o o k :
rediscoversrilanka I n s t a g r a m : rediscoversrilanka A d d r e
s s : No. 85, Siddhartha Place, Andiambalama Estate, Katunayake E m
a i l :
[email protected] P h o n e : +94766695969
Rediscover Sri Lanka is an inbound travel company specializing in
experiential outdoor travel - offering multi- day cycling, hiking
and mixed active tours. They work with their local community to
provide a sustainable and enjoyable experience for all by curating
adventure travel tours in areas and communities that have been
neglected
FUN IN THE SUN THE ETHICAL WAY
Co-Founder: Chandima Wanasinghe Company Name: Rediscover Sri
Lanka
Sri Lankan brand that proudly values and stands for its identity
and people. It is indeed a guardian of the island’s natural and
cultural heritage.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N : The digital
transformation process is more than making operations effi- cient,
it's also about streamlining information, creating a vibrant brand,
introducing new products, and improving visibility online.
According to Chandima, this will help enhance communication
channels with clients, agents and other stakeholders and assist in
reaching global markets, through effective digital marketing
strategies to establish partnerships and collaborations.
R ediscover Sri Lanka has been involved in active travel for over a
decade!
“As local tour guides, we saw the beauty our country had to offer
and we wanted to showcase the experience to the world,” says
Chandima Wanasinghe, founder of Rediscover Sri Lanka. Having been
blessed to see the beauty of the country on two wheels, the warmth
and
hospitality of villagers inside their homes while sipping a hot
‘cuppa’, and climbing a mountain with a villager, while listening
to their life’s experiences has been an experience of its own, for
Chandima who is quite passionate about the business he
founded.
“We saw the value of taking our guests ‘up close and personal’,
away from the standard ‘round tours’ which are merely a shadow of
what the country has to offer. Witnessing the happiness and the
sense of fulfilment in the eyes of the traveller, as well as the
wonder and gratitude of our community who benefits from these
pleasant encounters, was our inspiration,” says Chandima. This
passion turned into the business it is today, with Chandima and his
team continuing to carve out and create a unique offering through
Rediscover Sri Lanka, where elements of active and sustainable
travel go hand in hand.
Rediscover Sri Lanka is slowly growing into a service provider,
much sought after by travellers who seek not just a holiday, but a
journey that brings them a profound sense of fulfilment and
belonging. It is a true
156 ECHELON.LK AUGUST 2021
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S P E C I A L B R A N D E D C O N T E N T F E A T U R E
Detroves Travels is a boutique travel agency that provides
experiential tour packages for destinations in Sri Lanka, Maldives
and Dubai. Their operations are 90% paperless and they run
ecocentric tours through minimal use of plastic and community
centric sustainability projects
Promoting Conscious Travel
t all started in 2011 when Garwin Murray left a comfortable
corporate life to start his entrepreneurial jour- ney. Soon after
his exit from the cor- porate world, Detroves Travels was formed.
Travel was his passion, but his new business went beyond that.
Service would be his differentiator. True to that mission, Detroves
Travels
was built on the founding pillars of high-quality service and
innovation. Since its inception, the firm has seen steady growth.
Sri Lanka being its launchpad, Detroves Travels in 2015 introduced
its second destination, the Maldives, as a part of its
diversification plans. An instant hit, the introduction of
destination Maldives saw the firm's growth spiral, yielding steady
growth in revenue year on year.
The industry that had much promise saw hopes shattered in 2019, as
the Easter Sunday attacks cast gloom over the country’s leisure and
travel sector. COVID-19 was yet another spoke in the wheel.
However, despite the challenges Detrove’s leadership has stayed
resilient and optimistic. In 2019, they extended their desti-
nation portfolio to include Dubai, which ended up being the right
decision, at the right time.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N : While COVID-19
may have slowed many busi- nesses down, for Garwin and his team, it
has been a time of recreating and rebuilding. The challenges have
not dampened their spirits, but instead inspired them to be a
global player in the tourism industry, by strengthening their
comprehensive travel portfolio, is high on the agenda. The company
is gearing up to leverage the digital space through the help of the
GLX Digital Evolver programme through a new web- site and
e-commerce site. The Digital Evolver programme has helped them
fast-track the pro- cess and they expect to be digitally ready
soon, for both their B2B and B2C clientele.
Detroves Travels has a wide range of pack- ages and activities at
competitive rates for their customers. In keeping with their ‘think
differ- ent’ mindset, they offer off the beaten track experiential
programmes such as waterfall tour packages, tea tasting and city
walk tours. Their ultimate goal is to become a pioneer and pro-
moter of sustainable tourism, towards which they are actively
working on at present, with the GLX evolver program.helping them in
their efforts to get a sustainability certification.
I
Director: Garwin Murray Company Name: Detroves Travels
W e b s i t e : www.detrovestravels.com F a c e b o o k : detroves
I n s t a g r a m : detroves_travels A d d r e s s : No. 31/1,
Ridgeway Place, Colombo 4, Sri Lanka. E m a i l :
[email protected] P h o n e : +94777757559
Shaluki Fernando & Vagesan Thamothiram, Detroves team
AUGUST 2021 ECHELON.LK 157
N andana Tea Factory is a fourth-generation tea-making family based
in Akuressa, near Matara. Theirs is a business that com- menced 100
years ago, as growers, manufacturers, and exporters of
unadulterated Ceylon tea. With the close and authentic rela-
tionships they developed over the years with their international
client base, the family started to see a steady stream of foreign
tourists visiting. The business was organically featured in travel
blogs and published guides. This exposure, feedback and return- ing
visitors inspired them to pivot into the tourism industry.
“We
were humbled by the reviews that spoke of our authenticity,
kindness, and genuine care – true hallmarks of Sri Lankan
hospitality. We now bring the two worlds of tea and tourism
together with two immersive stay accommo- dation options, with a
café with organic homemade produce and Conscious Tea EduTourism
related tours to our visitors both local and international, in
addition to our core tea making business.” says Chamathi
Wanigasekara.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N With the help of
the GLX Digital Evolver program, the business is looking to rebrand
as the Nandana Tea Experience. According to Minuri, the tools and
techniques shared via expert sessions have helped them make
their
brand and offerings more accessible to a big- ger global audience.
Digitalisation has also allowed them to combine two generations of
marketing, branding and storytelling. “We also aim to help educate
small tea holders in the area to develop their digital presence and
strategies through our Ladalu Mahimaya initiative,” says
Minuri.
W e b s i t e : www.nandanatea.com F a c e b o o k :
nandanateafactory I n s t a g r a m : nandanatea A d d r e s s :
Nandana Tea Factory, Akuressa E m a i l :
[email protected] ,
[email protected] P h o n e : +94740092201
SAVING THE WORLD ONE TEA CUP AT A TIME Nandana Tea Factory operates
primarily as a tea producer and has recently organically developed
into a tea attraction. Travelers are drawn to the factory located
in Akuressa due to its authentic charm and engagement in the local
community
Managing Director: Gunasoma Wanigasekera, Business Development :
Minuri Adasuriya Company Name: Nandana Tea Factory
158 ECHELON.LK AUGUST 2021
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S
W e b s i t e : www.ecoteam.lk F a c e b o o k : ecoteamsrilanka I
n s t a g r a m : ecoteampvtltd A d d r e s s : 20/63 Fairfield
Gardens, Colombo 08 E m a i l :
[email protected] P h o n e :
+94710682302
the digital space when they make their buying decisions. “When we
took an inward look at what we have been doing in the digital
platforms, we realized that there is so much more work to be done
to face the future. Though our foundation is solid in some areas
like OTAs and others, we discovered that we need to up our SEO in
some of our digital spaces. We are thankful to the GLX Team for
facilitating our thinking process and helping us to fast-track what
we want to do,” says Migara.
S P E C I A L B R A N D E D C O N T E N T F E A T U R E
With five specialised accommodation brands under its umbrella, Eco
Team features the most unique tented accommodations and lodges in
the country and a camping subsidiary that is 100% carbon neutral
certified. They are a strong supporter of conservation efforts and
educating tourists on the cultural nuances and sensitivities of the
places they visit
A CARBON NEUTRAL CAMPING EXPERIENCE
Assistant Manager - Business Development: Migara Perera &
Marketing Manager: Shivani Company Name: Eco Team
ince its inception two decades ago, Eco- Team has been the pioneer
in eco-adventure tourism in Sri Lanka. Its Founder and CEO,
Anuruddha Bandara, wanted to introduce an entirely new travel
experience to nature enthusiasts like himself, shifting away from
the mediocre hotel accommodations and routine cultural experiences
that existed at the time. The concept was to facilitate
the niche market segments in tourism enabling them to experience
the uniqueness of what Sri Lanka had to offer, whilst being
responsible & sustainable both inward and outward. Eco Team
pioneered Mobile Tented Safari Camps in Sri Lanka in 1998 with the
introduction of the revolutionary Mahoora Luxury Safari Camps.
Today, it’s the first-ever mobile tented luxury safari camp in the
world to be completely carbon neutral. Over the years, Eco Team
narrowed its focus to becoming the most sought-af- ter specialist
in Wildlife Tourism and Experiential Travel. With five specialized
accommodation brands under its umbrella, namely Ahaspokuna,
Mahoora, Big Game Camps, Funky Leopard and Kinchigune Adventure
Camp, Eco Team features the most unique Tented Accommodations &
Lodges in the country.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N : Currently,
their online presence is somewhere between 40 to 50%. Though it’s a
good mix the duo wants to see how they can grow more in the digital
space. With post- Covid tourism growth expected to happen when the
world becomes safer to travel again, they believe that travellers
will be taking much more informed decisions, relying on
AUGUST 2021 ECHELON.LK 159
nfinity Vacations started in 2014 with a focus on customer
experience. Its founder George firmly believes that winning hearts
is the first step to establishing meaningful relation- ships with
clients. “Winning hearts and establishing excep- tional client
relationships begin with our staff. We place our
team at the forefront, genuinely looking after their wellbeing and
expectations,” says George.
A business primarily structured on a B2B model, Infinity Vacations
is dependent on sincere and robust partnerships, which the team has
excelled at, since its inception.
“We achieve this through loyalty to our agents, and by building
trust and showing respect towards opinions that come from a diverse
array of cultures and backgrounds, be it the USA, Australia, UK or
South Africa,” says George.
In a fast changing tourism landscape, experiential tourism will be
the trend of the future, with consumers looking at novel trips
around wellbeing, cultural exchange, true adventure and reasonable
impact. Listening to this new consumer expectation, and
personalizing each trip to fulfill customer needs and expecta-
tions, will be the determining factor for Infinity Vacations
success and future growth.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N : According to
George, as the holiday marketplace continues to
I
A 360 DEGREE SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL APPROACH Infinity Vacations is a
destination management company that efficiently utilizes
technology, by arming their travelers with smartphones for the
length of their tours here in Sri Lanka. They provide their staff a
modern workplace where loyalty is valued over qualifications, and
run a paperless and plastic-free operation
change, innovative solutions will help improve the firm's
operations, optimise systems and enhance relationships. Due to the
current pandemic, the business operates with minimum staff and a
faster turnaround time, thanks to these technological advancements.
Its B2C business model is focused on bringing authentic
experiences, encompassed by the Sri Lankan culture, to travellers
through its new website, which has been launched with the
assistance of GLX. Infinity Vacations’s new web- site provides a
one on one help desk service, and around the clock assistance to
travel enthusiasts. The team envisions giving their customers a 360
degree experience through a platform that offers everything -
including meals, accommodation and travel intertwined with vibrant
local cultures and communities.
W e b s i t e : www.infinityvacations.lk F a c e b o o k :
Infinityvacationssrilanka I n s t a g r a m : infinity.vacations A
d d r e s s : No.5,Uswatte Road, Moratuwa E m a i l :
[email protected] P h o n e : +94773717933
Managing Director: George Paul Company Name: Infinity Vacations
Inc.
160 ECHELON.LK AUGUST 2021
S P E C I A L B R A N D E D C O N T E N T F E A T U R E
Jungle Beach Camp Ahungalla is Sri Lanka’s premier beachfront
glamping site made from natural materials and free of plastic! They
offer an immersive nature experience through organic meals,
plastic-free operations, and unique cultural events
AN ECO FRIENDLY GLAMPING EXPERIENCE
J
W e b s i t e : www.junglebeachahungalla.com F a c e b o o k :
junglebeachahungalla I n s t a g r a m : junglebeachahungalla A d d
r e s s : Jungle bacch camp, Ahungalla, Sri Lanka E m a i l :
[email protected] P h o n e : +94775959406
Founder: Barbara Kainz Company Name: Jungle Beach Camp
Ahungalla
crashing under a warm tropical sun. Guests also get the opportunity
to savour some natural food through the
adventure cooking programmes, and being a part of the beach
volleyball camp will help work up that appetite. Jungle Beach can
also be reserved exclusively for seminars, workshops or
retreats.
T H E J O U R N E Y O F D I G I TA L I Z AT I O N : Preparing for
an active winter season, when Sri Lanka opens its doors once again
for travellers, Jungle Beach is working towards ensuring the
property is recognized as a Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel in the
country. Digitization has been in the forefront since the pandemic
hit, but ensuring that the warm hospitality it's known for remains
at the heart of its operations, is core for the founder of Jungle
Beach.
“We think it's brilliant! Digitalisation makes everything faster
and safer for our guests and our staff. From contactless check-in
to ordering food and beverages, booking your massage and yoga
class, all our operations run smoothly and comfortably for
everyone” says Barbara.
ungle Beach Ahungalla was founded in 2014 as a restaurant &
music bar. Creating a naturally maintained, private uninterrupted
beachfront in Ahungalla, where people from all over the world could
relax, enjoy warm hospitality, organic food and drink, and some
energy raising activities,
was the inspiration behind the concept of the Jungle Beach.
Making it a home away from home, was the next big thing. After 4
years of operations, Barbara decided to build 4 Glamping bungalows,
which gave travellers an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this
exquisite private beachfront prop- erty, for much longer. The team
also redesigned their workshops and retreats for healing, personal
development & transformation and added more high energy fun
activities such as beach volley- ball camps to make the stay more
exciting and rewarding.
The future is promising for Barbara and her team at Jungle Beach.
“I see a little oasis with happy people! People who are well
relaxed through a variety of activities” says Barbara,
For a traveller, there is plenty of choice in how the day can be
spent. From enjoying some quiet and self rejuvenating time at the
spa, to mindful- ness and yoga programmes for relaxation. Guests
can spend a few hours of silent engagement with the beautiful
ocean; watching the blue waves
S P E C I A L B R A N D E D C O N T E N T F E A T U R E
AUGUST 2021 ECHELON.LK 161