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.

The innovative aspects of the project will be to support  local communities who are engaged in the tourism sector enterprises in Hambantota district.The project will directly promote tourism in Hambantota district by attracting visitors with tour packages and comprehensive marketing efforts. Deepsouth Holidays will act as the coordinator for the potential tourists and tourism service providers in the district. Deepsouth Holidays will be the only tour operator dedicated to promote Deepsouth Tour packages for potential tourists assuring economic benefits to the communities living around the tourism attractions. Once the DSH comes in to operation, well over 2500 people who are living around the tourism attractions of deep south, and apporximately 1000 hotels, guest houses, eco-lodges, home stay facilitators will be benefited.

Under the project new or improved services or facilities will be provided particularly to the domestic affluent market segment and expatriate market to plan their holidays. Also, the academic institutions, local and foreign, will be offered educational and research opportunities. A Visitor Centre and Coordinating Office will be set up at Tissamaharama under the Project.
The Head Office and Marketing Division will be based at the SLEF Head Office located at Piliyandla, Sri Lanka.