Lanka plays host at the world tourism day

Ganga Pradeepa in Bentota

Sri Lanka played host to the world, in celebrating World Tourism Day. The Secretary General of the UNWTO Francesco Frangialli joined Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda and Chief Minister of the Sothern Province Shan Wijayalal de Silva to welcome 25 woman tourism leaders, who gathered to conduct a summit on the theme "Tourism Opens Doors for Women".

The official ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) and the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau took off with a colourful pageant and cultural items with the participation of over 500 invitees from stakeholders in tourism and regional leaders of the Southern Province.

SLTB in addressing its responsibility as a global citizen, has taken on the climate change challenge with proactive action, initiated on the World Tourism Day celebrated in Sri Lanka as the host country. Sri Lanka tourism will launch a big idea initiative to position itself as a Tourism Earth Lung Destination.

The vision of Sri Lanka is to become a carbon neutral destination. The concept will be championed by the Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda at an international level. The concept recognizes that Sri Lanka's forests are already a major sink for carbon.

It is intended that this tourism led initiative will lead to further conservation of our forest resources through wide-spread awareness and participation of the public and visitors with further greenery of areas within the island destination.

Sri Lanka Tourism presented an innovative tour package to invite women professionals to visit Sri Lanka combining air travel, accommodation and tour options. The offer which began on September 01 is valid till October end.