Vonfidel Ranch has been featured in Inspiration, Cathay Pacific’s
international in-flight and editorial magazine, in a global feature examining distinctive, place-led horseback journeys shaped by discipline, land, and long-term stewardship.
The recognition arrives at a defining moment for Sri Lanka’s tourism landscape. Following years marked by disruption — including the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, the global pandemic, and a period of economic instability — the country is entering a phase of renewed international confidence. As travel resumes, global attention is increasingly shifting toward destinations that privilege depth, restraint, and responsibility over scale.
Located in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, Vonfidel Ranch represents a deliberately measured approach to this next chapter. The Inspiration feature highlights the Ranch’s operational philosophy — grounded in equine welfare, disciplined horsemanship, and environmental respect — positioning it as part of a broader global movement toward low-volume, high-integrity travel.
While much of Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery has centred on established regions and conventional growth models, the Eastern Province remains comparatively underdeveloped. This presents both opportunity and obligation. Vonfidel Ranch
operates at intentionally limited capacity, demonstrating how carefully governed tourism can contribute to regional visibility and participation without compromising cultural, environmental, or ethical foundations.
The Ranch’s model rejects spectacle in favour of precision. Guest numbers are capped, horses are individually matched to riders, and daily rhythms are shaped by terrain, climate, and animal welfare rather than fixed itineraries. Horseback journeys move through forest, open landscapes, and coastal environments, offering travellers a grounded, immersive connection to place — one defined by calm access rather than consumption.
“Periods of recovery offer a chance to correct course,” said Alfie Ameer, Founder and Chairman of Vonfidel Ranch. “For regions like Eastern Sri Lanka, the future lies in tourism that is disciplined, ethical, and built for longevity. This feature reflects a growing international recognition of that direction.”
For discerning travellers, Vonfidel Ranch offers a form of luxury defined not by excess, but by access, restraint, and intention — a model increasingly sought in a post-crisis
global travel environment.
The full Inspiration feature is available at: https://vonfidelranch.com/journal/cathay-inspiration-feature