Host of events to mark World Tourism Day

by Anjana Gamage

World Tourism Day which falls on September 27 will be celebrated with a host of events at the Sigiriya world heritage site this year, Additional Secretary to the Tourism Ministry George Micheal told the "Daily News".

"We thought of moving into a rural setting which has as the backdrop a living monument to our archaeological heritage," he said adding that this is with a view to develop a heritage tourism model village and Sigiriya is thought to be the launching pad for this purpose.

He said Sigiriya is a heritage village famous among both local and foreign tourists. It is a national icon and a world heritage site as well.

Speaking on this year's objective he said: "Unlike in early stages of tourism in Sri Lanka, today tourists are very much discerning and substantially educated with a high spending capacity. Therefore tourism is a lucrative business and for a government it is a very important economic activity immensely supporting the country's economy with foreign exchange, employment and rural development. To ensure the spill over effects abundantly to the grass roots level our world renowned heritage has opened up a new window.

"What is required is to strengthen friendly linkages among the village community, tourists and the industry partners to ensure an uninterrupted flow of financial and social benefits to the local community. Celebrating world tourism day in Dambulla-Sigiriya signifies this noble objective".

According to the Additional Secretary, it is expected to launch a clean and green programme on World Tourism Day focusing on the Inamaluwa-Sigiriya road. School children, environmental groups, village communities and the tourists are invited to take part at this Shramadana campaign.

The Tourism Ministry has already taken steps to install five hoardings along the Inamaluwa-Sigiriya road with a message aimed at creating an awareness among the community on the importance of tourism to their livelihood. The inauguration of the hoardings will take place on the Tourism Day.

An interactive meeting with tour guides have been organised at Sigiriya as well. The guides will be provided with a special cap to wear on guiding tours.

This would be an awareness creation exercise too.

The comfort centre constructed by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) in Nasal Ainu in Dambulla, for the benefit specially for domestic travellers will be also inaugurated on this day.

Live radio discussions and programmes on the World Tourism Day theme and on the importance of cultural tourism and the importance to have a model tourism and heritage village in Sigiriya have been also scheduled to be on air this day.

The Ministry of Tourism along with the SLTB assisted by the Central Provincial Council, Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha, Dambulla Divisional Secretariat, Cultural Triangle and Sri Lanka Hoteliers Association are organising the World Tourism Day celebrations in Sigiriya.