'Importance of sustainability for future tourism'

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

An European Commissioned -funded project under the Switch Asia programme will host a half a day workshop on 'The importance of sustainability for future tourism' next Wednesday at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo.

The workshop will be attended by foreign tour operators and agencies along with local marketing staff of hotels and senior engineers.

The seminar will create awareness as green initiatives have gained wide recognition in the hospitality industry, Switch Asia Project Director Srilal Miththapala said.

"The seminar will be participated by over 150 participants which is conducted free of charge.

The participants from the industry are expected to attend the seminar which is being jointly organized by Walkers Tours, Kuoni, Travel Foundation UK, Travel Life UK and the Switch Asia Program," he said. There is an increase in the concern in the areas of sustainability and eco friendliness among the travelers.

This has indicated in a global research as 22 percent of the travelers look in to these aspects before embarking on bookings.

Sri Lankan hotels such as Hotel Goldi Sands, Jetwing Sea, Jetwing Beach, Randoli Hotel, Cinnamon Grand and Chaaya Hotel will be showcased as models for greening initiatives for the tourists. There are 220 hotels in Sri Lanka that has been registered with the Switch

Asia programme at present. We are working with SLTDA to make proper green accreditation scheme for hotels. It is now in the final stages.

This will augur well for the industry as there is an increasing trend in the sustainability and eco friendly accommodation worldwide, Miththapala said.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has also made a place for Switch Asia in its

Corporate Social Responsibility and Governance Awards by adding a new category for hotels come under Switch Asia programme.

"We want to make sure the hoteliers know what to expect. More and more travelers are looking for sustainable and good practices. This is the right time to work according to the check list to ensure best practices are in operation," he said.