Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) promotes community based tourism at
the 'Deyata Kirula' National Development Exhibition - 2008
SLEF has been assigned by the Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka, to promote
Community Based Tourism and Ecotourism at the recently concluded 'Deyata
Kiruala' Exhibition, held at BMICH.
Laos and Sri Lanka are
two countries that
have only begun
developing ecotourism
in the past 9 years, but
both have seen an early
success in the large numbers
of tourists keen to experience
the natural wonders of these
countries.
GLOBAL ECOTOURISM CONFERENCE 2007 (GEC 07) CONCLUDED SUCESSFULLY
Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation is happy to record that the GEC 07 has concluded successfully in Oslo, Norway, on the 16th May, 2007, with very positive outcomes.
The Fredskorpset International Advisory Council Meeting, North-South and South-South Forums were held in Oslo Norway from 7th to 11th September, 2006
Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation has been invited by the Fredskorpset, Norway (FK Norway), to take part at the FK-North-South Forum -2006 FK Advisory Council Meeting and the FK-South-South Forum-2006 held in Norway from 7th to 11th September, 2006.
Ecotourism Australia 2006 international conference and meeting of National Ecotourism Associations Around the World
Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) has been invited by the ‘Ecotourism Australia’ to represent Sri Lanka ecotourism. SLEF has been recognized as the ‘National Ecotourism Organization in Sri Lanka’ to take part at the Ecotourism Australia – 2006 International Conference and the meeting of National Ecotourism Association world wide.
Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation has been invited by the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) to deliver a Keynote Speech on ‘The Challenges in Running Community Based Ecotourism Projects’
“ To make Sri Lanka one of the most sought after ecotourism destination in the world and to built a professional ecotourism network, which serves as a model for ecotourism in the Asia and pacific Regions ”
MISSION
“Ecotourism in Sri Lanka to be used as a tool to conserve the environment, to assure maximum economic benefits to the host community, preserve age-old cultural heritage, provide in-depth information about Sri Lanka and to satisfy the needs of both national and international Ecotourists visiting genuine eco sites in the island”
Ecotourism Training and Certificate Programme
Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF), the pioneer National Ecotourism Organization dedicated to promote Ecotourism Sri Lanka, has made arrangements to conduct series of Training Programmes on Nature, Adventure and Ecotourism from September 2007. It has successfully conducted similar Certificate Training programmes before, in association with Sri Lanka Tourist Board, for the National and Chuffer Tourist Guide Lecturers, Members of Community Based Tourism Organization, staffs of the national and international NGOs etc.
Symposium Report: What Can Sustainable Tourism Bring to Communities?By: Masaru Takayama, Executive Director, Japan Ecolodge Association & Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation
About the Symposium: Themes and Background
Held at the Centre for Regional Sustainability Initiatives of Akita International University (AIU) (Akita, Japan), the international symposium "What Can Sustainable Tourism Bring to Communities?" addressed key issues and topics around sustainable tourism, community development and protected areas from both industry and academic perspectives. The symposium was attended by over 150 local and international participants including local government officials, tour operators, tourism associations, academics, national park authorities, and local community members.
Presenters and Resource Persons
on a filed trip to Ani Region Akita
In stead of discussing how sustainable tourism ought to be, the symposium focused on what sustainable tourism brings to communities, and how different stakeholders can utilize the benefits of sustainable tourism.
Akita International Symposium on Sustainable Tourism13th to 18th February, 2008, Akita, Japan
An International Symposium on “Searching for Sustainable Tourism” was held in Akita International University, Akita, Japan, from 15-16th February, 2008. The symposium was organized by the Centre for Regional Sustainability Initiatives (CRESI) of AIU.
Sri Lanka media has given a wide publicity to the GEC 07 and the SLEF. The reputed leading news papers in Sri Lanka such as ‘The Sunday Times’ , ‘The Daily Mirror’ ‘Sunday Observer’, ‘The Daily News’ has carried news and pictures related to the GEC 07, SLEF and Ecotourism in Sri Lanka.
Community Based Tourism Advisory Panel appointed by the Ministry of Tourism
Establishing of a Community Based Tourism Advisory Panel by the Ministry of Tourism Sri Lanka on the 4th June, 2007 is one of the most important achievements of the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation. During last ten years the SLEF was tirelessly and actively lobbied for establishment of community based ecotourism projects in the tourism generating areas of Sri Lanka.
FOSTER PARENTS PROJECT (FPP) , DODANDUWA FISHING VILLAGE, SRI LANKA.
The FPP is one of the Community Based Ecotourism Programmes initiated by SLEF in March, 2005, just 2 (two) months after the tsunami catastrophe in Sri Lanka, in December, 2005.
This Project was generously supported by the foreign visitors who have traveled in Sri Lanka under Sri Lanka Eco Tours (SLET), the supporting business arm of SLEF. The FPP is located in Dodanduwa, a fishing village located just a few kilometers from Hikkaduwa, the famous beach holiday resort in Sri Lanka. Dodanduwa also severely affected by tsunami and the fishermen completely lost their livelihood. Under FPP, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation is supporting the 28 (twenty eight) school going children of the fishermen for the period of 2 (two) years providing financial and material support on monthly basis. SLEF is also planning to start cottage industries and ecotourism programmes for the mothers and fathers of FPP by providing micro-credit programmes and other economic benefits through ecotourism.
FK South-South Exchange Programme – 2008-2009
Between Sri Lanka Eco Tours and Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA), Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
2008-2009 FK South-South Professional Youth Exchange ProgrammeBetween Sri Lanka and Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA), Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is being planned at present.
Work Shop on Promoting Good Environmental Practices for the Hotel Sector in Sri Lanka
Initiated and funded by Kuoni Travel Ltd, Switzerland and coordinated by Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF)
13TH DECEMBER 2007 MOUNT LAVINA HOTEL, SRI LANKA
The Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) was very happy to be associated with Kuoni Travel Ltd, Switzerland, the biggest Tour Operator in Switzerland and number five in Europe, in conducting a Work Shop on Promoting Good Environmental Practices for Hotel Sector in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) in association with Mercy Corps Sri Lanka has embarked on a new tourism promotion project based in Hambantota District, Deep South in Sri Lanka. Under this joint project a Travel Agency named Deep South Holidays to be formulated, funded and guided by the Mercy Corp. The main Objectives and Goals of the Project will be to promote Deepsouth for domestic and foreign tourists while ensuring benefits for local communities and tourism sector enterprises in the Hambantota district. The SLEF will develop and promote Deepsouth tour packages for potential tourists both foreign, domestic, expatriate community and academic sectors.
