Colombo Uni. Tourism Program’s multiple events to celebrate World Tourism Day in Weligama tomorrow

The University Of Colombo Department Of Economics, Tourism Study Program, and the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (AATEHM), with the strategic partnership of Barberyn Ayurveda Resorts, have organised an industry-interactive event to celebrate the UNWTO World Tourism Day 2022. 

Themed ‘Rethinking Tourism: Wellness and Sustainability’ the event will be held tomorrow from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. at Barberyn Beach Ayurveda Resort, Weligama.

The World Tourism Day 2022 theme ‘Rethinking Tourism’ revolves around the opportunities to rethink how the world could engage in tourism by prioritising people and the planet. The parallel global events to celebrate World Tourism Day 2022 will effortlessly bring all the Governments, businesses, and communities around a shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient industry.

The key objective of the event is to create a platform for industry-policy dialogue to design effective policy measures and strategic management applications to promote sustainable wellness tourism in Sri Lanka by sharing contemporary knowledge in global best practices.

The celebratory events will include;

1) A panel discussion on Sustainable Wellness Tourism: A Way Forward

2) Authentic Sri Lankan food demonstrations and live cooking

3) Sri Lankan traditional mask dance with drums

4) Competition for innovative wellness tour packages with the application of sustainable practices

5) Sri Lankan music therapy for wellness and tranquillity

6) Public awareness program to promote wellness tourism.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry was the most impacted sector by triple setbacks ranging from the 2019 April Easter Sunday terror attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the ongoing economic crisis. 

The event on the theme of ‘Rethinking Tourism: Wellness and Sustainability’ will be a great opportunity for industry professionals, decision-makers, practitioners, researchers, and educationalists representing different segments of the industry to rethink and learn lessons from the best practices to promote wellness tourism with the application of sustainable practices to ensure a resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism industry.  

“This reshaping period must be used as an opportunity to capitalise the untapped potential of Sri Lanka Tourism with effective strategies and policy measures, to rebuild a resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism development,” Masters in Tourism program Founder/Coordinator Prof. Suranga Silva said.