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Leading the way in ecotourism

Dr. Simon Woodward from PLB Consulting Limited experienced the difference soon after he arrived at Ranweli during the short, hand-pulled ferry ride across the creek. The staff, including the boatman were knowledgeable about the basics of ornithology and delivered information to the interested visitor on birds and nature around them.

The interior of the hotel had signs urging people to be environmentally responsible - save water, recycle etc., and seemed to mean it. Details of these, he said, come through in the menus with their emphasis on local produce; in the furnishings, simple and appropriate and in the landscaping around the resort.

Dr. Woodward, an internationally recognized strategic planner on sustainable tourism visited Ranweli in 2002 on a USAID sponsored ecotourism workshop. "A stay at Ranweli is, to my mind, the perfect introduction to ecotourism for a person keen to learn more about environmental responsibility, but who is not ready, or willing, to be preached at. I'm sure the Sinhalese have their own word for subtlety, but as far as I'm concerned it is 'Ranweli'," Dr. Woodward enthused.

Ranweli Holiday Village has the distinction of being selected by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) as one of 55 properties that are "an example of interesting sustainable practices in ecotourism". The hotel was also included in the WTO publication "Sustainable Development of Ecotourism: A Compilation of Good Practices" - 2002.

The London Sunday Times in its Travel section in May 2003 picked Ranweli as the "Best for Long-Haul Value”. Wrote its correspondent " Surrounded on one side by a gorgeous palm fringed beach and on the other by a natural lagoon, Ranweli is ideal for those who want to combine sunbathing with some gentle activities or a spot of bird watching. It is also one of the best value hotels in the tropics…

"The pace is slow: instead of disco music blaring out beside the pool, there are yoga and meditation classes. There are no motorized watersports; instead fishing, boogie boarding, canoeing and cycling are on offer…The hotel is recognized for its eco-friendly activities."

Although Sri Lanka has a vast number of beach resorts, Ranweli, which is being marketed as an ecotourism product is considered a role model in sustainable and responsible tourism, providing a nature, adventure and cultural experience to guests.

Constructed in 1975, the resort represents a Sri Lankan village with 84 bungalows spread over 23 acres of land resting on a forested peninsula, surrounded by rich mangrove vegetation. Built entirely with locally available material, the owners in 1997 took the step that transformed the resort from beach tourism to ecotourism.

Guests can now avail themselves of the various nature and culture based facilities that provide bird tours along the rivers, nature walks, habitat tours to nearby churches, temples, etc. in the village.

An entire department of eco-products has been introduced and an in-house ornithologist, botanist and zoologist have been appointed to structure and professionally operate the nature and cultural programmes. The hotel was also rated a 'bird friendly hotel' by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka.

In addition, the management has implemented measures to minimize water and energy consumption and waste disposal. Solar energy is used for washing and the staff are fully trained to protect the flora and fauna around them.

An organization has a social responsibility to the community around them. Towards this, the hotel promotes the local cottage industries and provides employment opportunities. In turn the village community sell all their produce - grocery and building materials to the resort.

The Director General of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, S. Kalaiselvam in his report writes, “I have watched this transformation (from beach tourism to ecotourism) with interest as it focuses on the present marketing slogan of SLTB. Beyond Beaches: Nature, Culture and Adventure.

"The property is presently marketed as an ecotourism product with the beach as an added facility. Although Sri Lanka is entrenched in beach tourism, Ranweli is a role model in sustainable and responsible tourism, providing a nature, adventure and cultural experience to guests.

"Ranweli is a unique product in Sri Lanka in the rapidly developing ecotourism market. Sri Lanka is now engaged in developing this segment of nature and culture based tourism and Ranweli's pioneering example will be a great help in this endeavour."

Sustainable tourism consultant, Pamela A. Wright in her report writes, "Ranweli is a remarkable example of how a property, built for traditional 'sun, sea and sand' more than 20 years ago has completely repositioned itself, to become a model of environmental leadership and practice."

She commends the efforts of the hotel for its laborious task of redesigning, re-organising an old property and transforming it to become environmentally sensitive which she believes is a much more difficult task than incorporating an environmental design from scratch.

Amongst other aspects she appreciates their habitat conservation and their relationship with the local community.

While all their décor, paintings, bowls and fabrics are crafted by local artistes, villagers are often invited to display their traditional activities - kitul tapping, weaving, coir rope making, spice blending, etc.

Ranweli meets the objectives of a sustainable tourism project in all the following areas: Contribution to local community, preservation of natural and built heritage, management of people, water, energy and waste, communication with stakeholders and being a role model to those around them.