Australian Govt. supports professional development in tourism sector

Australian High Commission First Secretary (Development) Dr. Thomas Davis and Professor Noel Scott, Griffith University, with participants in the Australia Awards Sustainable Tourism Short Course

The final component of the Australian Awards Short Course on Sustainable Tourism Development, a five-day workshop, was held in Colombo Galle Face Hotel from 18-22 June. The course brought together 25 representatives from government departments and tourism companies. This group began the short course with a workshop in February, followed by a 10-day study tour to Queensland in March.  

Speaking at the 21 June symposium event for the workshop, Australian High Commission First Secretary (Development) Dr. Thomas Davis said the course has equipped participants with both the theory and practice to contribute to the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2017-2020. He emphasised that “tourism is a key sector for Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s development work in Sri Lanka”. 

Also present at the 21 June symposium were senior officials from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and officials from a wide range of reputed tourism institutions.

The course was delivered through Griffith University’s International Business Development Unit in coordination with Griffith University’s Institute for Tourism (GIFT) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). Aligning with the core focus of the Sri Lanka Tourism Strategic Plan 2017-2020, the Short Course was developed to improve the economic benefits of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector by providing key technical knowhow to industry professionals.  

The Australia Awards Short Course for South and West Asia is funded by the Australian government. Australia Awards Short Course opportunities like this are designed to build valuable people-to-people links both within Australia and within the Indo-Pacific region, enabling mid-career professionals and emerging leaders to tap into Australian expertise, gaining valuable skills and knowledge.