The Hotels Association hails ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ program

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), a key stakeholder in the tourism sector, yesterday said it supports President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative.

“This program introduces much-needed changes across the environmental, social, and governance dimensions. THASL believes this is a significant step in the right direction. With hotels located throughout the country, the hospitality industry is wholeheartedly backing this Government initiative,” THASL President M. Shanthikumar said.

THASL has aligned itself with the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ framework and has launched its own set of guidelines for member hotels to follow in three key areas: business, environment, and community. To ensure smooth implementation, these guidelines will be disseminated to hotels through the Regional Hotels Associations, Shanthikumar added.

“Our beautiful island and its warm and welcoming people have attracted millions of international travellers for several decades. THASL believes that even a small commitment to this initiative will help as a contribution to sustain the tourism for future generations. Protecting our island and the planet forms the foundation of our guidelines. Experts have noted that tourists increasingly prioritise sustainability initiatives when planning their holidays. Sri Lanka has immense potential to capitalise on this by attracting travellers to the island, with its rich array of attractions including its people, history, beaches, wildlife, paddy fields, tea plantations, mountains, water bodies, religious institutions, and many more,” the THASL Chief said.

According to him, this will not happen overnight. Tourism in Sri Lanka is a key foreign exchange earner and it is important to begin to make a difference which will see its results in the near future. “We are confident that our members will make a conscious effort to meet these guidelines overnight as they will see merit in doing so,” Shanthikumar added.

He said THASL members are committed to protecting Sri Lanka for a better tomorrow and will aim at the following under the ESG principle.

Environment:

• Increase reliance on renewable energy
• Recycle waste across all hotel operations
• Reduce consumption and maximise reusability
• Prioritise local sourcing. Strive to achieve 70% local products in daily hotel operations
• Stop use of single-use plastics and opt for alternatives
• Stop use of PET water bottles
• Prevent unacceptable garbage and waste disposal
• Maintain cleanliness in the environment and conduct regular cleaning activities
• Stop pollution of beaches, water bodies, and forests
• Support and facilitate environmental protection signages in key locations
• Support awareness programs across the country
• Promote eco-friendly alternatives in daily operations
• Limit billboards and hoardings to 100 metres from towns and cities
• Provide clean toilets for visitors in all locations, not just identified tourist sites
• Protect our wildlife, fauna and flora

 

Social:

• Continue to refrain from employing underaged individuals
• Create meaningful opportunities for differently-abled individuals
• Try to make all areas accessible to the differently-abled where possible
• Create and support community service programs to enhance living standards
• Provide opportunities for neighbouring communities
• Encourage suppliers to follow ethical practices in their daily operations
• Promote gender equality in the workplace
• Foster dignity of work culture in the workplace
• Enhance employee knowledge on health and safety
• Ensure a proper work-life balance by providing an enriching and equitable work environment

Governance:

• Follow corporate governance in all business activities
• Ensure transparency in all internal and external transactions
• Adopt ethical practices in daily hotel operations
• Make timely payments to suppliers and the Government
• Refrain from endorsing and being part of unethical /corrupt practices