Intrepid Travel is proud to celebrate the recognition of Poornaka Delpachitra, Country General Manager of Intrepid Travel Sri Lanka, as a 2025 PATA Face of the Future awardee.
Presented by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the Face of the Future award is the Association’s highest honor for young tourism professionals making an outstanding contribution to the industry. Poornaka is one of four emerging leaders across Asia Pacific recognized this year, and the winner for Sustainability Initiatives.
“It’s a great honor and deeply humbling to be recognized by PATA. I’m proud to be leading a team that truly believes in creating positive change through the joy of travel and I’m excited to keep building that future in Sri Lanka and beyond,” he said.
Poornaka leads one of Intrepid’s largest global operations, overseeing both Destination Management Company and its shared services Centre in Sri Lanka.
Under his leadership, Intrepid Sri Lanka has achieved strong commercial growth while being recognized nationally for its commitment to climate-conscious, community-based, and inclusive tourism.
Recent highlights include winning the ‘Best Destination Loyal Partner’ award in the Travel and Tourism Operator category at the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2024; launching the Women in Tourism program in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Market Development Facility, which is breaking down barriers for women across the tourism sector; and partnering with ZeroPlastic through The Intrepid Foundation to tackle plastic waste and make behavioral change amongst Sri Lankans to reduce use of single use plastic, including investing in a Zero Plastic Impact Centre.
Further, also leading the introduction of Sri Lanka’s first electric vehicle tour, supporting Intrepid’s goal to decarbonize its global operations; supporting Sri Lanka’s first female cycling tour leader to enter the industry; and being named among Sri Lanka’s Best Workplaces by Great Place to Work and recognized in the Top 40 Workplaces in Sri Lanka.
Natalie Kidd, Managing Director, Asia and Head of Global Operations at Intrepid Travel said:
“Poornaka is a purpose-driven leader and a shining example of the next generation shaping the tourism industry for the better. He leads with care for people, communities, and the planet and his work in Sri Lanka is proving that sustainable tourism can also be commercially successful. We’re incredibly proud of his leadership and impact.”
Intrepid Travel has been a world leader in responsible travel for 36 years. The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel, which comes to life on more than 900 trips all designed to truly experience local culture. With its own network of country offices in 31 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally recognised for their commitment to transparency and ethical travel, they became B-Corp certified in 2018. Intrepid Travel is also the first tour operator with near-term science-based climate targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative, and its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has raised more than $18 million for more than 160 partners. For more information, download the company’s 2024 Integrated Annual Report and follow Intrepid on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn.
Photo Caption:
Poornaka Delpachitra, Country General Manager of Intrepid Travel Sri Lanka (second from right) receiving the 2025 PATA Face of the Future award
