University of Colombo kicks off tourism sustainability

In a world today where sustainable concepts play a vital role for the development of any industry, sustainable tourism emerges as a way out for the current pandemic. It is with this intention, the Department of Economics of the University of Colombo presents the Certificate Course in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management (CSTDM) for the professional recognition of career development in sustainable tourism.

Though many sustainable concepts are being popped up time to time, they just vanish at the same time with no proper action plan due to the unavailability of required personnel, lack of knowledge in the subject and insufficient support from responsible parties and authorities. Thus, “the said course is designed to fulfill this gap; hence providing the sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge with analytical skills for those who are involved in destination marketing,” says the Industry Coordinator of the Course Chinthana Duminduhewa.

“Sustainability brings a new vision to global tourism with balanced and inclusive development. Sustainable tourism training and pedagogies must ensure of making creative decision making, innovative management, effective marketing, inspirational relationship and relationship leadership,” said the Course Coordinator Prof. Suranga Silva.

CSTDM which is targeted at any interested party involved in tourism business or gaining knowledge in sustainable tourism aimed at enhancing the understanding on the conceptual and theoretical understanding of sustainable tourism development and its practical application, keeping special attention in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. Further the Course wishes to discuss the best practices in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management with innovative sustainable tourism products, to develop necessary skills and knowledge to understand specific policies and management strategies on sustainable tourism development, to improve the analytical skills of the students to develop Sustainable Tourism Destination Management Projects etc.

The duration of the course will be six months with LKR 55,000 investment- payable in installments. The minimum qualifications required are G.C.E. O/L or equivalent qualification, NVQ Level 3 and passing the admission/selection test and interview. Lectures will be conducted by a panel of academic and industry professionals with much interested field visits. For more details, visit www. uoctourism.com or contact Chinthana Duminduhewa on +94 777391740.