Our commitments
Olalalanka's philosophy is based on respect for the environment, valuing local communities and tailoring your trips to your wishes.
We favour unspoilt destinations, far from mass tourism, while respecting the environment. This means promoting authentic places, raising awareness of nature conservation, choosing responsible partners, reducing waste and emissions, and taking part in conservation initiatives.
We offer immersive experiences, fostering a deep connection with Sri Lanka's culture and way of life.
As a socially committed company, we support initiatives aimed at improving local living conditions while minimising our environmental impact.
Respect for the environment
Preserved Destinations
At Olalalanka, we are determined to minimise our ecological footprint through sustainable practices. We choose unspoilt destinations away from mass tourism, where we promote environmentally friendly practices. For example, our nature excursions in the Knuckles include strict guidelines to minimise waste and respect local wildlife.
Committed Partners
To reinforce our commitment, we work with partners who share our environmental values. We work with accommodation establishments that actively participate in waste management, water conservation and renewable energy programs. These partnerships enable us to ensure that every aspect of your stay contributes to protecting the environment.
Preservation and Awareness-raising Initiatives
We are actively involved in a range of environmental conservation and awareness-raising initiatives. For example, we organise activities such as the Negombo mangrove clean-up with our partner Captain Fernando. We also encourage our customers to get involved in these actions, to reinforce the positive impact of our joint efforts.
Social Commitment
Positive Impact on Local Populations
At Olalalanka, we firmly believe in the positive impact of tourism on local communities. We focus on authentic experiences by selecting not only human-scale accommodation run by locals, but also activities that provide a deep immersion in Sri Lankan culture.
For example, our partnerships with family-run guesthouses in Sigiriya and Ella, as well as a selection of authentic activities, allow travellers to experience total immersion in everyday Sri Lankan life, while contributing directly to the local economy.
Here are a few examples:
Authentic Discovery with Moses in Sigiriya
Moses, in the Sigiriya region, will take you off the beaten track in his tuk tuk to discover the surrounding area. On the programme: immersion in the local population and discovery of Sri Lanka's flora and fauna. This adventure allows you to meet the locals, learn about their way of life and see landscapes that few tourists have the opportunity to discover.
Family Experience with Deen in the Tea Plantations
Deen invites you to stay in his charming guesthouse, nestling in the heart of the famous tea plantations. You will be warmly welcomed by his local family, who will show you around their daily life. Walks through the plantations are offered, providing a complete immersion in this iconic Sri Lankan landscape and an in-depth understanding of the tea culture.
Immersion in the Villages around Galle with Manju
Explore Galle's surrounding villages and take part in traditional cooking classes enriched by Manju's knowledge and passion for his homeland. These activities offer a deep understanding of the local culture and allow you to forge authentic links with the locals.
Commitment to Education and Social Inclusion
We are committed to concrete actions that aim to improve the lives of local populations. We financially support the association Mardap in Mannar, which plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation of children with disabilities. Our contribution to the development of their school illustrates our commitment to education and social inclusion.
Promoting Local Crafts and Culture
We work with local artisans to promote their skills and products. By incorporating visits to local markets and craft workshops into our tours, we help preserve cultural traditions while providing a stable source of income for artisans. This approach allows travellers to discover and appreciate the cultural richness of Sri Lanka, while directly supporting local economies.
Economic Development
Support for Local Initiatives and Sustainable Partnerships
At the heart of our approach is the promotion of responsible tourism that not only enriches the experience of travellers, but also makes a significant contribution to the economic and social development of local communities. We are committed to supporting travel practices that respect and benefit the people who live in the destinations we visit.
For exemple, our partner, Elite Travels, offers authentic and sustainable experiences in the Jaffna region, supporting the economic development of this less-visited area. That's why we strongly encourage our guests to participate in activities guided by passionate and knowledgeable locals. These local guides not only share their in-depth knowledge of the region, but also enable travellers to discover unique aspects of Jaffna's culture, history and daily life. Elite Travels offers a range of fascinating experiences, such as tuk-tuk tours of Jaffna, excursions to Delft Island to see its wild horses, "prison" stays in a former Dutch fort on Karainagar Island, and much more.
We are deeply committed to supporting initiatives such as Green Life Generation, which plays a crucial role in protecting the environment while empowering Sri Lankan women through sustainable projects. Founded on the urgent need to address Sri Lanka's growing waste management problem, Green Life Generation transforms materials such as reclaimed wood and cement bags into zero-waste products. Today, the company employs a dedicated team of artisans, mainly women, who create recycled products while having access to education and childcare. Beyond its individual successes, Green Life Generation embodies a movement to address the social challenges of waste management, sustainable community development and the promotion of gender equality in Sri Lanka in an integrated way.
By giving priority to buying local products when you travel, you are playing an essential role in supporting the economy of local communities. Each purchase represents much more than a simple transaction; it contributes directly to creating additional income for local craftsmen, farmers and small traders. These additional funds have a significant impact on the quality of life of local families, enabling them to improve their living conditions, invest in education and health, and strengthen their economic autonomy.
OUR NEWS
Sustainable Tourism Competition
At the initiative of the European Union, we took part in a competition focusing on the sustainability of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.
We are honoured to have won first place out of 300 entrants.
Our sustainable actions during the Covid-19 pandemic (reduction of plastic, retention of all our staff, financial and material assistance to our service providers, etc.) enabled us to win this competition.