Tourism Awards 2011 applications now out

By Cheranka Mendis

Sri Lanka Tourism will host the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards for the fifth consecutive year this July, recognising the efforts and contribution of industry stakeholders.

The competition this year will include a number of new categories, widening the number of accolades by 21. The awards will honour 68 performers under 11 award categories.

Revamped under the advice of a 13-member expert panel that was consulted in order to give a facelift to the awards under sector specific guidelines, the award presentation stands to recognise more SME sector contributions. While some new categories have been added, in certain instances there have been expansions to the old categories to include small and medium stakeholders.

Product Development and Events Director Upali de Silva mentioned that among the new categories added were the awards for other unique accommodation, best green practice in accommodation, award for adventure operator, adventure service provider, best initiative for ecotourism research, training and education, best practices in green architecture, best themed cuisine restaurant, best authentic Sri Lankan restaurant, conference/exhibition venue and conference, hotels or other venues under MICE, marketing communication domestic, tourism education and training small category, pastry chef of the year, restaurant manager of the year and hotel employee of the year.

De Silva acknowledged that the submission for entries had been opened on 1 May and would close on 5 June. “Late entries will be accepted five days after the closing date with an additional charge of Rs. 5,000. The application forms can be downloaded from www.tourismawards.lk.”

Under individual categories, the competitors can either be nominated by other parties or can apply themselves. It is mandatory for companies that wish to take part in the awards to be registered and licensed under Sri Lanka Tourism, he said. The final decision will be made by a seven-member judging panel which will conduct onsite inspections and review jury presentations by individuals. Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena at the announcement of the awards noted that recognition was vital to further strengthen the industry. Riding high on increasing arrivals and expectations, it must be recognised for its efforts in promoting the country further, especially during 2011, in which the industry achieved record highs.

Tourist Hotels Association President Anura Lokuhetty added that in order to retain the high quality of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka, unlike the previous travellers who picked Sri Lanka for being a ‘cheap’ destination, the hoteliers and the industry service providers must up their game.

“Tourists coming in to Sri Lanka are of a better standard now than before. Statistics show that the average spending per tourist is now at US$ 99. This would mean the products must be improved to keep up to the value they are willing to pay. They now demand more quality and standards,” Lokuhetty said. “Recognising industry stakeholders’ efforts will encourage them to do better, which would invariably lead to the country having excellent standards in the tourism industry.”