INITIATIVE TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DESTINATIONS ACROSS SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) took a bold decision to support developing tourist attractions in to sustainable tourist destinations throughout Sri Lanka. Some of the tourist destinations presented by the provincial officers were unexplored niche destinations. These destinations are both less-known and high appealing locations. These highly potential destinations were identified at a two day workshop held in Sigiriya last weekend. The programme focused on experience sharing, strategic planning, and collaborative action towards achieving this goal.

Senior tourism officers from all the nine provinces of the country attached to Provincial Councils and dedicated state tourism institutions attended the programme. Malkanthi Rajapaksha Director General of SLTDA attending as the Chief Guest said at the gathering that in order to support the initiatives taken by provincial tourism officers SLTDA will work closely to identify and develop at least one sustainable destination in each province. She also noted that Sigiriya has been successfully recognized as Sri Lanka’s first sustainable destination, awarded by world renowned Green Destinations Foundation, following two years of dedicated collaboration among key stakeholders under the sustainable Tourism Development Initiative.

Ms. Rajapaksha also emphasised that “we may face certain funding restriction when developing these destinations but SLTDA could liaise with some funding agencies to support them to some extent while we together should work closely with a positive mindset to overcome such barriers”.

“Developing a sustainable destination is not an easy task as merely developing a tourist attraction. A sustainable destination is a place that strives to protect and enhance its natural, cultural, and social resources while meeting the needs of visiting tourists and residents. In essence, it’s about balancing tourism development with environmental conservation and community well-being” said Upali Rathnayake Deputy Director General / Head of Sustainable Tourism Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Muditha Abeysinghe Manager Sustainable Tourism Unit  SLTDA, Ramitha Wijethunga, National Project Coordinator UNDP, Mahinda Tennakoon President Hotels Association of Habarana, Ranjith Kumarasinghe Assistant General Manager L&D – Northern Cluster Heritance Kandalama were also among speakers at the workshop.