Colombo Uni. Dept. of Economics, Tourism Study Program in key initiative to revive tourism

• Brings together top international experts at webinar on 28 September to mark World Tourism Day

The University of Colombo Department of Economics, Tourism Study Program will organise a top international expert stakeholder dialogue this week to share insights to revive the tourism industry amidst multiple challenges.

The webinar titled “Rethinking for Sustainable Tourism: Priorities, Actions and Global Best Practices” will be aired via Zoom on 28 September at 6.30 p.m., to mark this year’s UNWTO World Tourism Day.

Former Maldivian Cabinet Minister and SIMDI Group CEO Dr. Mariyam Shakeela, HH Sheikh Ahamed Bin Saisal Al Qassimi Private Office in Dubai COO Dunston Periera and Founding Chairperson of Women in Management International Dr. Sulochana Segera are the key speakers of the discussion. The session will be moderated by Hospitality Professional Gayathri Randeni.

The World Tourism Day 2022 theme ‘Rethinking Tourism’ revolves around the opportunities to rethink how the world could engage in tourism by prioritising people and the planet. 

The parallel global events to celebrate World Tourism Day 2022 will effortlessly bring all the governments, businesses, and communities around a shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient industry.  Sri Lanka’s tourism industry was the most impacted sector by triple setbacks ranging from the 2019 April Easter Sunday terror attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic and now the ongoing economic crisis.  The discussion will be a great opportunity for industry professionals, decision-makers, practitioners, researchers and educationalists representing different segments of the industry to rethink and learn from lessons of the best practices — to springboard to build a resilient and sustainable tourism industry. 

“This reshaping period must be used as an opportunity to explore the global best practices, effective strategies and policy measures, to rebuild a resilient industry focused on inclusive development and growth,” Founder/Coordinator for the Masters in Tourism Program Prof. Suranga Silva said.   The University of Colombo, the country’s pioneer higher education leader introduced the Masters / Postgraduate Diploma program to build industry professionals and decision-makers who combine their industry expertise with excellent academic vigour.  The programs are especially designed to sharpen the knowledge and skills essential for decision-makers, policy designers, planners, researchers, hotel managers, and marketers of the tourism industry. The program is intended to provide an ideal platform for Sri Lanka Tourism to reach global excellence.