Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2018 successfully concluded

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority ( SLTDA) hosted the sixth annual Sri Lanka Tourism Awards last week following a lapse of six years. The award ceremony was aimed at celebrating the achievements of Sri Lanka’s Tourism industry stakeholders and recognizing contributions made by organizations as well as individuals.

The officials at the Tourism & Wild Life Ministry is committed to achieving key objectives of the Tourism Strategic Plan 2017- 2020 despite the present challenges said Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism & Wild Life, S. Hettiarachchi.

Addressing the gathering SLTDA Director General, Upali Rathnayake stated that any industry needs continuous motivation for its enhancement and hope Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2018 would serve as a great motivation to the valuable players of the industry.

He added, “Tourism keeps increasing its valuable contribution to the country, reaching to be the second largest Foreign Exchange contributor to the economy. At a time, where Sri Lankan economy is facing a critical challenge of the devaluation of the currency, foreign exchange earnings and its increment is very important. The main foreign exchange earning sources, first, the expats working overseas followed by the textile industry are struggling to expand yet Tourism income keeps growing parallel to the increased number of tourist arrivals. The earnings’ growth is faster than arrivals and this is one reason why we strive for up-market tourism”

Further emphasizing the importance of private sector involvement in tourism services, he said. “The Government is only a facilitator and a regulator, the majority of the contribution is from the private sec- tor”. He also requested everyone to gain maximum benefits from the Lonely planet recognition of Sri Lanka as the number 1 destination to visit in 2019.

Head of the Jury, renown entrepreneur Kishu Gomes addressing the gathering shared that he was pleased to be given the mantle to work with several respected and experienced professionals in order to make the most prudent decisions as the grand jury and acknowledged the 3 technical committees, Ernst & Young Sri Lanka for being the facilitation partner and auditing the entire evaluation process from beginning to the end.

Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2018 honoured 35 best performers in the industry, under 11 award categories. The categories varied from General Awards, Tourist Restaurants, Travel and Tourism Operators, MICE Tourism, Marketing Communication, Provincial Tourism Projects, Tourism Education and Training, Main Tourist Attractions & Events and Excellence in Service Awards.

Former Tourism Minister, John Amarathunga, Secretary, Ministry of Wild Life & Tourism, S. Hettiarachchi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Wild Life & Tourism and SLTDA Acting Chairman, Waruna Samaradiwakara, Head of Jury, Kishu Gomes, Export Development Board Chairman Indira Malwatte, SLTDA Director General, Upali Rathnayake, Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2018 Project Coordinator, Trevin Gomez, SLTDA Director – Standards and Quality Assurance, Chandana Wijeratne and other officials from travel, hospitality, tourism and other sectors were present at the event.