USAID-SLTDA helps small businesses
Over 100 small business operators in the tourism industry were able to hone their skills and enhance their product offerings thanks to the Sustainable Niche Tourism Learning Expo conducted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) at the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya recently.
“This was a wonderful programme. The knowledge sharing sessions were especially useful and gave me a lot of strength and I was encouraged to think out of the box and explore new options,” said Ghisila Sivam, who runs a small homestay in her ancestral home. The event in Nuwara Eliya was the fifth in a series of similar events conducted across the country and followed previous expos held in Colombo, Galle, Kandy and Pasikudah to help small businesses hone their skills and network with industry experts. Participants learned about digital marketing, travel trends, and how to incorporate sustainability into their daily operations. They also had access to mentoring sessions with industry trailblazers and received toolkits focused on product development, marketing, promotions, and incorporating sustainability into their operations. Through these events USAID and SLTDA have now provided more than 5,000 hours of training to over 600 small tourism businesses.
The Learning Expos enhance the competitiveness of small businesses and allow Sri Lanka to better establish its brand identity, increase its appeal and market share, create jobs and opportunities across the sector.