First Intl. Conference on Hospitality and Tourism Management in October

Friday, 27 September 2013 04:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Sarah Hannan In an attempt to create an international platform for researchers and scholars across the world to discuss strategic aspects and popular marketing concepts as well as the practical usage of these key areas in tourism and hospitality; Leap Business Management (LBM) will host the first International Conference on Hospitality and Tourism Management (ICOHT 2013) in Colombo on 28 to 29 October at Cinnamon Grand Hotel. The objective of this conference is to create a premier forum for local and international researchers, scholars and academicians to share their studies in the fields of hospitality and tourism and to attract high profiled tourists to Sri Lanka and use their

knowledge and experiences to develop the tourism industry. Briefing the media at a recent gathering; LBM Director Sales and Marketing Oshadee Withanawasam stated that over 40 countries are set to participate where researchers from each of those countries will present their papers to assist in creating awareness on the newest trends in tourism and hospitality around the world. “This will be a first for the hospitality and tourism sector in Sri Lanka and we hope to continue these conferences and programs in the coming years,” he added. Co-chair for ICOHT 2013 and Head of the Department of Zoology at the University of Colombo Prof. Sarath Kotagama in his speech said: “Sri Lanka is becoming the Asian hub of tourism. In the past sadly, tourism and hospitality were only seen as a money-making industry and lacked value addition and did not deliver their money’s worth. We have also failed in identifying a theme to promote our tourism industry and as of the past eight years came up with ever changing themes and while at it we yet to have perfect our marketing tactics and have missed out on great opportunities.” He further reiterated that the Government has allocated more funds for research studies and the universities have been requested to facilitate these research teams with providing theoretical knowledge at every level.