Wellness tourism industry gets its own association
Practitioners in the wellness tourism industry have endorsed the formation of the Sri Lanka Wellness Tourism Association (SLWTA), seen as a long felt need by those actively involved in the industry.
More than 50 reputed companies from the western medicine profession, indigenous Ayurveda practitioners and others engaged in wellness tourism activities such as Western SPA’s, Yoga and Meditation and a host of derivatives joined hands to forge the formation of the SLWTA which is expected to represent their interests with Government as well as the larger stakeholder base notably foreign partners and clients. The meeting was held in the Sri Lanka Expor t Development Board, the board said in a media release.
Trevor Reckerman, Managing Director, Talisman Enterprises ( Pvt.) Ltd was elected as the Interim President. The following members were newly appointed: Vice Presidents - Shelly Thenuwara – Tree of Life; Shalin Balasuriya – SPA Ceylon; Sudeera Kankanamge – Sen Wellness Sanctuary: Secretary - Ms. Nilusha Kodituwakku - Ayurva Travellers; TreasurerHashan Cooray – Jetwing Hotels; Members - Dr. Prasad Medawatte – Lanka Hospitals; Ms. Geetha Karandawela – Barberyn Ayurveda Resort; Dr. Sampath Puncihewa - Faculty of
Law, University of Colombo; Ms. Paddy Paul - Golden Isle Travels ( Pvt) Ltd; and Prabhan Gunawardana – Hemas Hospital.
SLWTA members have been drawn from the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes ( APHNH), Ayurveda establishments registered with the Department of Ayurveda and Sri Lanka Tourism, wellness tourism companies registered with Sri Lanka Tourism and wellness tourism professional consultants. The new ExCo will shortly consider the primary objectives concerning industry practices including regulation governing these diverse groups, in a Draft Constitution that will be adopted at the forthcoming AGM.