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Tuesday, 20 August 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Seven world-renowned Cinnamon Resorts’ Hotels were accredited with the National Sustainable Tourism Certification at the recently held awards ceremony, organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to promote sustainable tourism across Sri Lanka.
The Awards, resulting from the recently piloted National Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme (NSTCS), was initiated by the SLTDA in partnership with the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the UN Development Program (UNDP), and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, Cinnamon Wild Yala, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, Habarana Village by Cinnamon and Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon were felicitated with the National Sustainable Tourism Certification – Silver Award, while Cinnamon Bey Beruwala and Trinco Blu by Cinnamon received Bronze Awards for their efforts.
The Awards ceremony was held under the patronage of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga, GSTC CEO Randy Durband and GSTC Director Asia and the Pacific Dr. Mihee Kang.
“Cinnamon’s spirited efforts to revive Sri Lanka’s tourism industry post-April have been strengthened by local and global accolades and recognitions,” stated John Keells Group John Keells Group, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Brand Marketing Head and Cinnamon Life Mall CEO Dileep Mudadeniya.
“It is timely that we adopt a national level benchmark for sustainable practices across our local tourism industry, and we commend the Sri Lankan Government, BIOFIN, UNDP and GSTC for implementing this initiative. We are pleased to be acknowledged for preserving local ecosystems and cultures through our Resorts, and contributing to the sustainability of the local tourism industry.”
The primary objective of the NSTCS is to align the local tourism sector with the Sri Lankan Government’s ambitious Tourism Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020, which focuses heavily on developing all aspects of sustainable tourism across the island.
The NSCTS was identified as a crucial element required to enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism competitiveness while ensuring the long term sustainability of Sri Lanka’s authentic tourism offering. The certification aims to incentivise tourism businesses to transition toward environmentally, socially and culturally sensitive business practices, while also mitigating negative industry impacts.
The comprehensive assessment criteria for the NSTCS covered Sustainability Management, Environment Sustainability, Socioeconomic Sustainability as well as Culture and Heritage initiatives and practices at each resort. The technical and financial assistance provided by BIOFIN of the UNDP and guidance by the GSTC ensured that the framework for the NSTCS is based on a global context, thereby ensuring that the certification is relevant and recognised both locally and internationally.
This timely recognition follows Cinnamon’s focused efforts to align with Sri Lanka’s Tourism Strategic Plan and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, making tourism more sustainable, and its benefits more widely shared.
