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James Jayasundera
Founder & Managing Director
Born to a Sri Lankan diplomat father and an English mother, James was whisked from Colombo to Rome when he was just 18 days old, setting the tone for a life of non-stop travel. His childhood was shaped by grand tours of Sri Lanka, India, and Southeast Asia—summers filled with temples, tea estates, and tales of forgotten empires. These journeys sparked a lifelong love affair with Asia, which ultimately led to the founding of Ampersand Travel in 2003. Since then, the company has become synonymous with top-end, tailor-made cultural tours to the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Far East, offering experiences steeped in both luxury and authenticity.
However, it was the first 18 years spent in Rome, travelling extensively throughout Italy, that profoundly shaped his perspective on natural and man-made beauty, art, architecture, culture and cuisine. This period set an extraordinarily high benchmark for his experiences around the world, and it continues to influence his unique approach to travel. The Italian aesthetic, its cultural gravitas, and its honest, mouth-watering cuisine provided a refined sense of what makes a destination truly special.
His approach to travel is not just about five-star opulence, though it certainly has its place. The itineraries he creates are elegant, often extravagant, but never at the expense of real cultural immersion. Travel for him is about capturing the charm, beauty, and authenticity of a destination—being in the right place at the right time, looked after by well-informed, capable people who take pride in their country and are dedicated to ensuring visitors have the best experience possible. This is achievable only through strong, reliable partners with a proven track record of flawless execution and always having a back-up plan—because in countries where the unexpected is to be expected, flexibility and preparedness are key.
Ampersand has earned its reputation among the elite, regularly named one of the World’s Top 10 Travel Specialists by the Financial Times and recognised by Condé Nast Traveller as a top specialist from 2019 to 2024. He has curated trips for patrons of the world’s most important museums, European and Middle Eastern royal families, and heads of industry, continuing to shape extraordinary experiences for discerning clients.
In 2019, he added a new chapter to his travel portfolio by opening 7 Koppies, a seven-room boutique hotel on a fynbos reserve in Franschhoek, South Africa. It was the perfect embodiment of his ethos—luxury in harmony with nature.
With almost 50 years of exploration, he remains as passionate about travel as ever. His great loves—India, Sri Lanka, and Japan—still hold his heart, but his curiosity continues to stretch across the far reaches of Asia and now Africa. And always, in the background, is Italy—an enduring muse, a beacon of beauty that inspires every journey.
A Q&A WITH JAMES
My most luxurious experience…
One persons concept of heaven can be another’s concept of hell, but this is the luxury experience that I have loved the most...
I was on a walking safari in Namibia in the middle of desert, hundreds of miles from the closest village. I was camping under the stars in a dip in the dunes, but sleeping in a proper bed with a bedside table, rug and oil lamp – it had been transported there to create this completely surreal experience. In the morning I was woken up by the camp chef with a delicious cup of tea and a canvas wash basin filled with hot steaming water to wash and shave. The water had been boiled downwind so that I would not be bothered by the smoke from the fire, and carried several hundred meters across incredibly soft sand so that it could be placed at the foot of my bed. It was so thoughtful, indulgent and pampering – I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a luxury more.
The most spectacular property I have stayed in…
Aman Tokyo is one of the most thoughtfully designed hotels I have ever encountered. I greatly admire Kerry Hill Architects, who did a phenomenal job with Aman Tokyo, seamlessly blending traditional Japanese cultural and aesthetic principles like simplicity, natural materials, and craftsmanship into this astonishingly cutting-edge and modern building. The attention to detail is astounding, with every aspect crafted to enhance comfort and relaxation—it's a true embodiment of contemporary luxury in Japan.
Another of my favourites is Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, which has the most exhilarating effect on me. Its clifftop location and modern design blend beautifully with Bali’s natural environment, creating a perfect balance between luxury and nature.
An enduring favourite is the Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad. Exquisite and luxurious, this former Nizam's palace offers an extraordinary glimpse into royal Indian heritage. The experience is nothing short of astonishing, with the grandeur of the past blending seamlessly with modern comforts.
There are certain places that have such a strong energy, the feeling cannot be translated into mere words… they have to be experienced first-hand!
My most memorable dining experience…
Bhairo, the rooftop restaurant at the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur. I was having a romantic dinner and completely forgot that it was Diwali. We had a 6 hour firework display. Surrounded by the lake with the City Palace and fireworks reflected in the dark waters was something straight out of a dream.
The most adventurous thing I have done…
Some of my most adventurous experiences have been in Bhutan, a country that holds a special place in my heart. Ampersand was one of the first UK companies to arrange holidays there. Since my first visit in 2001, I’ve returned many times, but one trip stands out vividly. We were staying at the wonderful Six Senses Paro and chartered two helicopters to soar up the Paro Valley, skimming the contours of the land as we made our way to Jomolhari base camp, 4,100 metres above sea level. The dramatic valley landscape, framed by towering Himalayan peaks and colossal glaciers, unfolded beneath us. With two choppers in play, it felt like a scene straight out of a James Bond chase.
On the return, we landed by Bumdrak Monastery, not far from the Bon sky burial sites, before descending the mountain and arriving at the Tiger’s Nest Monastery from above—a perspective few are privileged to witness. The views were simply staggering. After meditating to conclude the ceremony, one of the senior monks offered us rice wine served in a human skull. Declining wasn’t really an option! It was a moment that felt like something out of both a James Bond and an Indiana Jones film—utterly surreal and unforgettable.
The spot I go back to again and again…
Mumbai, Colombo & Bangkok – I love the energy in these cities plus they feel like a second home as I have my favourite friends, hotels (the Taj Mahal Palace, the Galle Face Hotel and the Metropolitan) and restaurants (Sea Lounge, The Gallery and Nahm) which I love going back to.
For a romantic trip, I would recommend…
I like to feel as if I am at the edge of the world, therefore I would recommend Nihi Sumba Island on the island of Sumba, Indonesia, or for something a little different head to Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar which completely non-commercial and captures the essence of India.
For a family holiday, I would recommend…
Sri Lanka – it is where I used to holiday as a child with adventurous parents who took me everywhere. Nothing was considered too dangerous or too difficult. We had the most extraordinary adventures including being charged by tuskers in the jungle and swimming in rivers with crocodiles. We all survived and it taught me and my three sisters to be daring and fearless when travelling.
If money were no object, I would head for…
I would charter the Tiger Blue for two weeks and go diving and snorkelling in Raja Ampat. The diving is out of this world and the Tiger Blue is the most fun and wonderful boat I have ever been on!
One place you must see before you die…
Something that takes your breath way and makes you feel lucky to be alive – for me that was the Chateau Plains in Namib Rand Nature Reserve, Namibia.
James's Favourites
DESTINATION
SRI LANKA This mango-shaped Indian Ocean island is a bountiful and spirited nation, overflowing with natural wonders, abundant wildlife, sumptuous cuisine, ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites and a rich cultural legacy – from the cool colonial Tea Country and Cultural Triangle in the country’s interior, to the curvaceous caramel sands on the coast. The 17th century Dutch walled fort town of Galle...
HOTEL
AHILYA FORT Ahilya Fort, perched high overlooking the Narmada River, is the most enchanting place to stay. It is the cosy and quirky home of Richard Holkar, whose father was the Maharaja of Indore, and he is the driving force behind Ahilya, passionate about the region's crafts and traditions. The building has been beautifully restored with pale old stone floors, ancient shuttered doors, carved arches and unusual bathrooms…
ITINERARY
CLASSIC SOUTH AFRICA If you want to soak up the most spectacular stretch of South Africa’s coastline and spot the Big Five in the bush, but also enjoy top-notch luxury, fine food and delectable wines, this classic South African itinerary is a perfect fit. It offers all the highlights – cosmopolitan Cape Town, the pretty garden route and the world-famous Kruger – all bound together with luxurious stays in lavish hotels...
James's Photo Album
