Members of the Sustainable Tourism Initiative launched last week committed themselves to promote a sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, that aims to retain the economic and social advantages of tourism development while reducing and mitigating undesirable impacts on the natural, historic, cultural, or social environment. Over 180 high-ranking decision-makers of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka with their German partners teamed up at the virtual event to kick-off the initiative to promote sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka.
The initiative was organised jointly by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation of Freedom in Sri Lanka and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) in cooperation with the Berlin-based think tank and consultancy Löning Responsible Business and Human Rights.
A commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) was signed by Hiran Cooray, the Presidents of the Sri Lanka Tourism Advisory Committee, the Chairman of the Sri Lankan Association of Incoming Tour Operators (SLAITO), The Hotels Association Sri Lanka (THASL), the Sri Lanka Chauffeur Guide Association, the Travel Agencies Association, and the Acting President of the Sri Lankan Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers.
The representatives of the sustainable tourism pilot group such as Go-Vacation, Aitken Spence Travels, Hayleys Travels, Hilton Colombo Residencies, Kite-Surfing Lanka, Anantara Hotels Lanka, The Thinnai Hotel, Fox-Resorts, Team Resorts and Spa, Wayfarer Travels and Eco-Living-Lanka signed the commitment as well.
The initiative, which is open to all stakeholders of the Sri Lankan tourism industry from today, is based on three major approaches: Transfer of know-how: Gap assessments, trainings, process optimisation and support for certification (e.g., Travelife and TourCert), public awareness (virtual activities with specialised media in Germany, corporate decision-makers, tourism associations, political representatives in Germany and Sri Lanka) and set-up of a digital platform to promote sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka.
Members committed themselves to promote sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, that aims to retain the economic and social advantages of tourism development while reducing and mitigating undesirable impacts on the natural, historic, cultural, or social environment.
Members agreed to respect and contribute to the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to use the SDGs as a framework to structure their sustainability strategies, management system and operations.
Members agreed to work on the following main action areas contributing to the SDGs:
• Fair working conditions, respect for communities and cultural heritage, health and safety, efficient use of resources and infrastructure adaptation, ecosystem conservation and stewardship and good governance.
The members also committed to actively engage in the Initiative by implementing, as a minimum, the following:
* Self-assessment of existing activities based on above criteria, Developing a roadmap with responsibilities and timeframe to improve performance
* Implementation of improvement measures
* Participation in working groups, trainings, or other services by the Initiative
* Yearly follow-up reporting on roadmap success.