Organized by students of Tourism Study Programmes of the Department of Economics at University of Colombo, Tourism and Hospitality Educators and Researchers Association of Asia (THERAA) and the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (AATEHM), the TLS sessions, focused on the theme “Together Towards Resilience, Responsible and Sustainable Sri Lanka Tourism” began at 11.00 am and was addressed by Ms. Hanaa Singer, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Dr. Razia Pendse, UN World Health Organization (WHO) Representatives to Sri Lanka, Ms. Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Mrs. Kimali Fernando, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism.
This intellectual and professional dialogue, aimed at providing knowledge-based forum to deliver most required policy measures and strategic management applications to strengthen sustainable tourism development in Sri Lanka, coincided with the UNWTO theme on 'Tourism and Rural Development'. Department of Trade Commerce and Tourism, Central Province, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, together with island-wide key stakeholders of Sri Lanka Tourism enabled the commemoration of the World Tourism Day ( 27th September ) in the hill capital of Kandy, adding a scholarly dimension to expected resilience and resurrection.
UNWTO in close collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism in Sri Lanka takes charge of the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability, and offers leadership and support in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. A special message issued on account of the World Tourism Day, the UNWTO pointed out that "the COVID-19 pandemic represents an opportunity to rethink the future of the tourism sector, including how it contributes to the sustainable development goals, through its social, cultural, political, and economic value. Tourism can eventually help us move beyond the pandemic, by bringing people together and promoting solidarity and trust, crucial ingredients in advancing the global cooperation so urgently needed at this time."
