Sri Lanka secured three gold awards at the Indian Subcontinent Responsible Tourism Awards 2025, held during the Business and Leisure Travel Mart in New Delhi on 13 September.
Organised by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT), the annual awards recognise global change makers driving sustainable and ethical tourism practices.
The Heel Oya village won the gold in the All Inclusive Responsible Tourism category for its immersive community based model featuring trekking, cooking, homestays and inclusivity initiatives.
A portion of its tourism income funds education and infrastructure while women, youth and differently abled groups are actively involved in tourism activities.
Heritance Kandalama received the Climate Adaptation and Resilience award for pioneering eco-friendly architecture, reforesting over 80 hectares and minimising environmental impacts through renewable energy. The resort also supports local livelihoods with more than half its staff hailing from nearby communities.
Designed by Geoffrey Bawa, it is renowned for blending with its natural surroundings while driving sustainability practices such as biodiversity protection, water conservation and waste management.
The hotel’s Travelife Gold Certification and Sri Lanka’s longest running ISO 14001 environmental management system affirm its commitment to responsible tourism.
And Jetwing Vil Uyana won the Nature Positive Responsible Tourism award for regenerating degraded land into a wetland ecosystem supporting over 300 species. The judges highlighted its Loris Conservation Project and strong visitor education efforts.
All regional winners will contend for the Global Responsible Tourism Awards at the World Travel Market in London in November.
