Red Dot’s responsible travel tips

Red Dot has a deep affection for Sri Lanka and we hope you will join us in encouraging the development of a tourism industry that is both socially responsible and fair for its local communities and environmentally sustainable. We've drawn up a simple but by no means exhaustive list of travel tips that we believe will help achieve this important objective. Please do e-mail us if you have other suggestions that you feel should be added.

1. Enjoy local food cooked with local produce as much as possible.

2. Don’t openly consume alcohol on Buddhist or Muslim holidays (Poya Days).

3. Conduct bargaining in a light-hearted and courteous manner.

4. Always ask permission before taking pictures of people.

5. Do not pose for photographs on religious sites.

6. Do not ever touch a holy man.

7. Dress modestly in public places and religious sites and avoid topless sunbathing.

8. Don’t waste water – use showers, don’t leave taps running, re-use towels

9. Don’t waste electricity – turn off lights, TV etc. and consider sleeping without a/c.

10. Consider using public transport, especially the train, for some journeys.

11. Re-use plastic bags when shopping or buy cotton shopping bag.

12. Only throw rubbish in litter bins that are obviously emptied.

13. Consider taking a bag when trekking to pick up litter.

14. Be wary when purchasing hardwood products that may not have been sustainably produced.

15. Do not buy seashells from beach traders or any ancient artifacts.

16. Don’t give money to street beggars.

17. Note it is customary to tip drivers and guides if service is good.