International travel bloggers step-up to conserve SL nature

Sri Lanka Tourism together with travel bloggers from six international influencers representing the UK, Netherlands, Singapore, India and USA, kicked off the very first ‘Destination Promotional Familiarization Tour with Nature Concern Initiative’ by planting 200 trees on Alugolla Hill in the Badulla District, where the area is rampant with soil erosion and landslides.

Explaining the ultimate goal of this initiative, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Assistant Director PR Chaminda Munasinghe said, while consuming all the elements of mother nature, it is a great feeling to give something back.

“All these travel bloggers and influencers are extremely happy to be part of such a nature caring project and were looking forward to return with their loved ones to see the trees which were planted by them in the Badulla area,” he said.

“This unique experience will enhance the opportunity to promote Sri Lanka as a destination concerned more about nature’s values and fully supportive of sustainable tourism development”. While having growing global tourists’ concern on environment & wildlife, Sri Lanka Tourism expects to create direct promotion for the country with such unique activities.

Also, this nature focus social media promotion expects to attract more and more tourists to the Bandarawela and Badulla areas where currently there is a minimum tourism engagement, in comparison to nearby Ella and Nuwara Eliya.

Moreover, it will support to balance the tourist carrying capacity in the popular highland destinations and create more opportunities for the local economy in the Uva Province.

While sharing various travel blog posts, Instagram posts and videos about this unique experience given by Sri Lanka Tourism, bloggers intend to recommend Uva Province, as the next highland hotspot to travel.

The programme took place on November 6 under the patronage of the District Secretaries for the Uva Province. Local school children from “Parisara Niyamuwo” Environment Society also joined this tree planting programme so as to create awareness and motivation for the future generation on environmental protection.

The tree planting project will be operated by Badulla Buddhist Society and People’s Leasing Company to make an impact on the environment in the Badulla District. They are expecting to plant over 1,000 trees in selected areas in the District.

The Sri Lanka Army, Badulla Divisional Secretarial Office, Badulla Buddhist Society, People’s Leasing Company and other partners from the local corporate sector including Aitken Spence Hotels (Hotel Bandarawela) and Jetwing Travels, joined hands to make this campaign a success.