Ecotourism World Conference in SL
At Hambantota International Convention & Exhibition Centre
‘Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism World Conference 2020’ (ESTC ’20), international and regional gathering of Ecotourism experts will be held at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hambantota from July 17 to 20, 2020. International ‘Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference2020’ (ESTC ’20) is hosted by Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation(slef) in association with International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and The Asia-pacific Regional Ecotourism Council (APREC).
ESTC is an annual International Event for the Ecotourism fraternity hosted by the International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the highest global body for Ecotourism and exclusively for the development of Ecotourism in developing countries. TIES’ global network of ecotourism professionals and travellers is leading the efforts to make tourism a viable tool for conservation, protection of bio-cultural diversity, addressing the global climate change issues and sustainable community development to make travel and tourism more sustainable and as a means to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Through membership services, industry outreach and educational programmes, TIES is committed to helping tourism organisations, communities and professionals at global level
Promoting and practicing of the principles of ecotourism, TIES currently has members in more than 190 countries and a membership base well over 15,000 - representing various professional fields and industry segments including: academics, consultants, conservation professionals and organisations, governments, architects, tour operators, media, lodge owners and managers, general development experts, and ecotourism experts. www.ecotourism.org
Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation, (SLEF), is the pioneer National Ecotourism Society of Sri Lanka that was established 21 years ago. During past years, SLEF has been actively supporting Sri Lanka
Tourism to position the Island as one of the main ecotourism destinations in the Asia-pacific Region. Since 1998, SLEF has been working with The International Ecotourism Society, the largest Global Organisation for Ecotourism established since 1990. SLEF is a TIES’ Advisory Board Member and the Regional Coordinator of Asia-pacific Region. www. srilankaecotourism.org / www.aprec.asia
‘Voice of the Community in the Asia-pacific Region that can be heard in the wider global forum of discussions’ said Palitha Gurusinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation
This year, 2020, Palitha Gurusinghe the President of (SLEF) and the Asia Pacific Regional Ecotourism (APREC) has perused The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) to host ESTC 2020 (ESTC) in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. Particularly Palitha was very focused in having the event in Hambantota as the destination has all the vital resources to promote it as an ‘Ecotourism hub of Asia Pacific Region’. In this regard, (SLEF) has already developed a concept paper on why Hambantota should take lead in promoting Ecotourism in the Asia-pacific Region.
The city of Hambantotoa is one of the most important provincial capitals of Sri Lanka located in the deep South, Southern Province, approximately 200 kms from Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Currently, Hambantota is a welldeveloped city with modern infrastructure with good road network connected through expressways with other parts of Sri Lanka. An International Airport, International sea port, International Convention Centre and a luxury hotel network were added jewels of the crown of Hambantota.
ESTC 2020 aims to promote and strengthen Community Based Ecotourism (CBE) in the AsiaPacific Region and to position Hambantota, Sri Lanka, as an ‘Ecotourism Hub of the Asia-pacific Region’ and to increase the competitiveness in Ecotourism Products and services in the global and intra-regional tourism markets. Besides, ESTC will promote active participation of females in the country actively in the convention and ecotourism events to enhance gender integration in the national tourism agenda.
The ESTC ’20 will be held at the Magampura International Convention Centre, Hambantota, where the delegates could enjoy all modern facilities such as easy accessibility through Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and well developed road network. In and around Hambanthota, there are very good hotel networks ranging from 5 stars to Eco Hotels, Ecolodges, Camping and Caravan Park accommodations, Cabanas, Home-stays etc.
‘International and Regional guests taking part at the ESTC could enjoy wonderful pre and post Conference tours visiting famous bird sanctuaries such as Bundala Ramsar Wetlands, Ruhunu (Yala) and Lunugamwehera National Parks, Ridiyagama Safari Park, which are located in close proximity to the Convention Centre and in accommodations of the visitors. These nature and wildlife parks are famous for wild elephants, leopards, sloth bear, endemic birds and thousands of flora and fauna attractions in Sri Lanka. Visitors also could enjoy Dry zone Botanical Gardens, Birds Research Centres and Resorts, Agro Technology Parks, Hot Springs etc’ said Palitha Gurisinghe. President SLEF.
Jon Bruno, the Executive Director of The International Ecotourism Society, in a message conveyed to Arundika Fernando, State Minister of Tourism, stating ‘Most of all, we hope that you agree with us that it is time for more of the world to see the beauty and history of Sri Lanka. The ESTC Conference would help to show millions of eco-travellers, well documented as being more respectful and higher spending, that Hambantota and Sri Lanka should be in their planning. We will promote Hambantota as an 'Ecotourism Hub of the Asia-pacific Region” first of its kind of promotional marketing campaign exclusive offered by the TIES'.
With a view to organise the event successfully, a Steering Committee has been formed by SLEF, comprising of professionals, experts representing Sri Lanka Tourism, academics from the Universities and higher education Institutes, Bankers, leading travel journalists etc. They are Palitha Gurusinghe, President, SLEF, Dirk Grigson, Vice President-slef and a well-known professional in the leisure sector business over 45 years specialising in a destination management company in Sri Lanka.
Sena Peiris, Vice-president-slef is a mechanical Engineer by profession. SLEF is privileged to have Rohini Nanayakkara, in the ESTC Steering Committee. She is one of the most senior Bankers of Sri Lanka. Shortly, TIES, SLEF, APREC and the Sri Lanka Tourism would publish the detailed Conference Programme, Packages, Registration methods and related details of the ESTC 2020 in their respective websites as details given below.