Tourism Conference in Colomb

Asia Pacific Regional Eco Tourism Conference in Colombo
Asia Pacific Regional Eco Tourism Conference in Colombo


The Asia-Pacific Regional Ecotourism Conference (APREC 2009) is on at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo from May 7th to 9th. This is the first ever regional conference on sustainable tourism to be held in Sri Lanka and is hosted by the Sri Lanka Eco Tourism Foundation.

It is envisaged that this conference will pave the way for establishing opportunities for research, education and in forming a Training Institute for Sustainable Tourism for the Asia-Pacific region to be based in Sri Lanka. Further enhancing the image of Sri Lanka as an Academic Hub in devising and promoting Green Certification /Accreditation Programmes, Eco Labeling, Training of Eco Guides and Interpreters for the Region, and supporting the academic fraternity engaged in the promotion of sustainable tourism activities.

The Chief Guest, Mr George Michael Secretary Ministry of Tourism Sri Lanka, will make the keynote presentation on ‘Let our communities manage their Tourism- Sri Lankan Experience’. Leading advocates of eco tourism and community based tourism representing India, Japan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos and England are due to make contributions at the plenary sessions.
» Sri Lanka Tourism gears up for a new era
Sri Lanka Tourism gears up for a new era


With the end of the conflict that ravaged the country for over two decades nearing its end, Sri Lanka Tourism’s plans to reposition destination Sri Lanka as a land of many treasures within a small area and fresh branding is due to take off locally in the coming weeks.

First introduced at ITB in Berlin in March this year, the new brand strategy is now steadily gaining acceptance in France, Germany and the United Kingdom with the new logo being sported on all promotional material. 250,000 post cards and discount booklets are also part of the campaign in the rebranding process with the national carrier SriLankan Airlines and all stake holders in tourism joining in.

'Narambamu Sri Lanka' which captured the local travelers hearts and increased travel to lesser known places of interest in the country will be followed by the festivals in and around prominent tourist towns encouraging visitors to getaway and enjoy. These include the Hikkaduwa Beach Fest, Negombo Beach Fest, the Jazz Festival, Tea Festival and the Kandy Festival.
» Yal Devi to fast track North South friendship
Yal Devi to fast track North South friendship


Speaking of the good old days of the ‘Yal Devi’ when bonds of friendship were strong and a trip to the north was a highlight of any southerners travels within Sri Lanka. Some reminisce of the good times and look forward to a future where a time gone by will come back and the future of this island nation will be one of shared dreams of rebuilding the link between the north and the south – the rebuilding of the rail track from Colombo to Kankesanthurai symbolizing friendship waiting to be rekindled.
» Relief rushed to crisis hit areas
Relief rushed to crisis hit areas


Sri Lanka Tourism joined others in rushing food and other essential aid to the north in response to the call for aid for Internally Displaced Persons. The four institutions functioning under the Ministry of Tourism - Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), and Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) lost no time in jointly providing assistance to the value of Rs 1 million. Nutritional food items including milk powder and biscuits were purchased with the allocated monies and the consignment handed over for airlifting to the North East.
It was heartening to note individual staff members too making personal contributions of cash and kind to be sent to the affected persons. The Hoteliers Association of Sri Lanka and other industry persons too showed commitment in making contributions to bring relief to the affected people of the north east.
» From the pages of The Hindu
From the pages of The Hindu


The new shine on Emerald Island is the title of an article in ‘The Hindu’ in which Veejay Sai and Nimish Jain writes of one of Colombo’s top attractions. Read on and be transposed by the writers’ description of the Tintagel -its history, charm and allure.
» Sri Lanka gets set for World Cup Games 2011
Sri Lanka gets set for World Cup Games 2011


Sri Lanka will host 12 World Cup cricket matches, of the 2011 championship to be held in the sub continent, along with India and Bangladesh. India will hold 29 of the 49 matches at eight venues while the 12 matches in Sri Lanka will be at three venues.
India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will remain as co-hosts of the quadrennial event after Pakistan was dropped consequent to the Sri Lankan cricketers being attacked in Lahore. The opening ceremonies are planned for February 18th and the first match for February 19th in Bangladesh. South Asia previously hosted the world Cup in 1987 and 1996.
» Negombos attractions highlighted
Negombos attractions highlighted


A couple of minutes away from the Bandaranaike International Airport, north of Colombo, is Negombo, the coastal fishing village with its unique charm and the offer of eternal sun, long sandy beaches and the opportunities in star class accommodation. For the MICE industry, Negombo is an ideal business cum leisure location with minimum travel on road to venue.

Situated just 6 km away from the airport, many star-class luxury hotels provide facilities for ayurvedic spas, yoga, aerobics, cycling excursions, horse riding and boating on the lagoon. The hotels are well equipped to cater to both large as well as small groups with a range of Sri Lankan and international gourmet cuisine being a star attraction.

Apart for the wonderful sea and sand experience, nature’s abundance can be experienced just bordering Negombo town at Muthurajawela, a natural habitat for many species of flora and fauna.