New paradigm in SL tourism: Exploring untapped potential of wellness sector
An esteemed panel of local and international experts from the wellness tourism industry have agreed that Sri Lanka has all the necessary attributes to become a leading global wellness player. The comments were made during the first session of a three-part webinar series, held on July 3, highlighting the untapped potential of Sri Lanka’s wellness tourism sector.
Organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in association with the Sri Lanka Wellness Tourism Association, the series aims to discuss and share insights with Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, exploring Sri Lanka’s potential as a leading wellness tourism destination, based on its unique assets and advantages.
The second webinar of the series was held on July 7, with another high calibre panel of speakers sharing their expertise on how Sri Lanka can position itself as the next global wellness destination. The discussion emphasised the importance of taking a holistic approach in terms of the country’s promotion and marketing of this high value tourism segment.
The first webinar was moderated by Ayurva Traveller Managing Director Nilusha Kodituwakku and featured a panel of both local and international leaders from the wellness industry.
“The level of promotion, which is being done to attract wellness tourists currently, is quite limited when compared with Kerala and Thailand, although we have got the necessary offerings,” remarked Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando.
She also stressed the importance of having trained staff to develop the sector.
Echoing the Fernando’s views, Wellbeing Escapes Founder Stella Photi pointed out that there is lack of awareness among travellers about what Sri Lanka has to offer as a wellness destination and emphasised the marketability of Sri Lanka’s resorts and spas to the tourists in the West. Expressing his views, Linser Hospitality, Austria Managing Director Dr. Franz Linzer said that the island’s indigenous Ayurveda industry is a huge asset, which the sector can exploit.
Joining the discussion, Jetwing Symphony Chairman Hiran Cooray observed that Sri Lanka should not confine its wellness tourism promotion to Western Europe alone, as there are a significant number of wellness-conscious tourists in Asian countries, particularly in Japan.
Sen Wellness Founder and Director Dr. Sam Kankanamge was optimistic that Sri Lanka could perform well in wellness tourism, as the country had managed the COVID-19 crisis successfully in terms of recording low numbers of cases and deaths. He advised that the industry should focus on mindfulness meditation, owing to its growing demand among the niche of global wellness seekers and professionals.
The other speakers were: FELLO Travel, UK Founder Danny Shahaf, WELL Business Solutions Founder and Managing Director Anni Hood, University of Colombo Institute of Indigenous Medicine Senior Lecturer Dr. Namal Jayawardne, Spa Ceylon Co-founder and Director Shalin Balasuriya, Nawaloka Hospitals PLC Director and General Manager Prof. Lal Chandrasena, Hemas Hospitals and Laboratory Managing Director Dr. Lakith Peiris, Ayurvedic Medical Association President/british Ayurvedic Medical Council Founder/medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority, UK Advisor Dr. Shantha Godagama, Setramed Founder and Chairman/consultant Ayurveda Physician, UK Dr. Palitha Serasinghe.