In this context, concurrent to the World Tourism Day Celebrations, the postgraduate and diploma students of Tourism Studies at the Department of Economics of the University of Colombo, has taken an initiative to hold a series of programmes in Colombo and Kandy from Sept.25 - 27.
Addressing a press Conference held in this regard at the Mount Lavinia Hotel Mr.Upali Rathnayake, Senior Industry Coordinator said, with focus on the theme we could reap rich yields through timely investments.He, noted lack of representation of women in the industry which remains at 7 percent and invited them to join hands with this valuable industry.
These series of programmes will be conducted benefiting \ the secondary school students looking for career paths, university/tertiary education students interested in career opportunities, tourism practioners seeking to upgrade their positions and also tourism entrepreuners looking for lucrative investment opportunities.
Among the topics discussed will be sustainable tourism development, MICE tourism opportunities, investment, exports, people, culture, cuisine, government and e-commerce.
Following series of activities will take place:-
Sept. 25 - 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at BMICH. - Tourism Leaders’ Summit under the theme, "Think Locally - Act Globally"
Sept.25 - 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Queens Hotel, Kandy - Career Guidance and Awareness Programs, Blood Donation Camp
Sept.26 - .Tourism Awareness Walk starting from the Kandy Railway Station
Sept.26 - 10 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. - Spice Fest
Sept.26 - 2.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. - Industry Guidance Programme
Sept.26 - 2.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. at Queens Hotel - - Industry Guidance Programme
Sept.27 - Quiz Competition at Hilwood College, Kandy and a Medical Camp
The event is organised in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.
Ref.Prof. W.Wimalarathane - Head of the Department – Department of Economics, Dr.D.A.C.Suranga Silva - Academic Coordinator Tourism Studies, Upali Rathnayake - Senior Industry Coordinator, Mr.T.B.B.Sumith– Industry Facilitator , Dr.Pubilis Silva, Director - Culinary Arts - International Hotel School of Mount Lavinia Hotel and many representatives were present.