Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation - SLEF - Ecotourism Sri Lanka

Asia Pacific Regional Ecotourism Conference & Peoples Tourism Awards 2009

About the organizer

Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF), the pioneer National Ecotourism Organization in Sri Lanka established in 1998. The primary focus of Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation is the social and 'economic development of rural communities in Sri Lanka, through Community Based Ecotourism Enterprises (CBEs). From its inception, SLEF has worked hard to introduce and implement poverty alleviation programs through ecotourism. To realize this objective, SLEF provides support services and motivates local communities to participate in Community Based Ecotourism and environmental conservation projects.

The SLEF is committed for

Assure economic benefits and improve the living standards of the rural communities in Sri Lanka through ecotourism
Preserve the age old cultural heritage and values of Sri Lanka society through the development of ecotourism
Conservation of environment and ecotourism hotspots of Sri Lanka through good practices and community based ecotourism enterprises
Dissemination of information on sustainable development and ecotourism among the visiting tourists and the general public of Sri Lanka

In celebrating the 10th anniversary of SLEF, we are planning to hold the first ever regional tourism and networking conference in ecotourism which will be exclusively focused on Community Based Tourism Enterprises (CBEs) in Asia-Pacific Region, ‘Asia-Pacific Regional Ecotourism Conference (APREC), will be organized by the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF), in association with International and Regional Organizations, regional ecotourism associations and other international conservation organizations dedicated to promote ecotourism. The SLEF will announce the On-Line Registration process and the full Conference Programme soon through its web sites www.ecotourismsrilanka.net www.ecotourism-srilanka.com , enabling the Participants and Resource Persons to obtain the information and register them on-line for the APREC 2009 APREC will create a united voice for community based tourism stake holders and their promoters in Asia-Pacific Region, a tourism destination that is highly desired and greatly respected. However, the CBEs in the region hardly get their due place and the share of tourism product. The Asia-Pacific region has experienced rapid tourism growth during the past decade but the share the community gets is very marginal and poverty is still a burning social issue everywhere. According to the latest statistics
released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Asia- Pacific region is expected to surpass the Americas to become the world's number two tourism region by 2010, with 229 million international arrivals. Of all the UNWTO regions, Asia and Pacific is forecast to have the highest average annual growth rate (7.6%) between 1990 and 2010. Therefore, it is high time that Ecotourism organizations in the region get together and formulate a common strategy to assure socioeconomic and socio cultural benefits to the communities through tourism.

Introduction to host Country: Sri Lanka “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”

Sri Lanka- “Sri” means ‘fortunate’ and ‘Lanka’ means ‘Island’- the fortunate or “resplendent" island, located just 35 KMS from the Southern tip of the Indian sub-continent and surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The extant of Sri Lanka is 65610 SQ.KM and the population standing around 20 million. Internationally, Sri Lanka is known as the ‘pearl of the Indian Ocean.’ Sri Lanka has earned an international reputation as the 'pearl of the Indian Ocean', because of her multifaceted attractions, blessed with nature and the great cultural heritage that dates back to well over 5000 years. Stone-age implements found on the island dated back at least ten millennia, while evidence is available that the domestication of plants may have taken place around 15,000 B.C. Given Sri Lanka’s central location on the trade routes (‘Silk Route) of the ancient world and the attraction then of her "products", pearls, timber, gems and ivory and later spices, the island had become a center of East-West commerce well before the Christian era. The direct influence of European maritime powers was felt beginning from the 16th century with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505, Dutch and later British. Sri Lanka gained independence from the British on 4 February 1948. Sri Lanka is small and compact and strategically located in the Indian Ocean with unparalleled natural attractions such as beautiful beaches, mountains, seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites which could be considered as the base to develop nature, adventure, and ecotourism in Sri Lanka.

Participating countries from Asia-Pacific Region

Sri Lanka
India
Pakistan
Nepal
Bhutan
Bangladesh
Afghanistan
Maldives
Thailand
Indonesia

Fiji
Malaysia
Cambodia
Laos
China
Korea
Taiwan
Japan
Singapore
Australia

Participating tourism segments from Asia-Pacific Region

Members of the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation
Academics of Universities of Sri Lanka
Community Based Tourism stake holders in the region
Ecotourism Entrepreneurs in the region
Adventure, Nature, Ecotourism and team building operators from the region
Non-Governmental Organizations and International Non-Governmental Organizations who are in involved in Community Based Tourism Projects in the region
Trade and Service Partners in Tourism in the region
Protected area authorities of the region
Tourism researchers and academics of the region
Ecolodge owners and operators of the region
Architects, landscapers who are focusing in eco-friendly and ecotourism structures, designs and concepts in the region
Representatives from tourism, wildlife, environment, cultural segments of the region
Tourism policy and decision makers of the region
Representative from banks and other financial institutions of the sregion

The Mission and the Objectives of APREC 2009

The Mission

The Asia Pacific Regional Ecotourism Conference 2009 (APREC 2009) aims to promote and strengthen Community Based Ecotourism (CBE) in the Asia-Pacific region, Poverty alleviation in Asia Pacific Region through tourish and to increase the competitiveness of CBE products and services in the inter- and intra-regional tourism markets

The Objectives

To serve as an annual platform to bring together industry segments in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss issues and challenges and to strengthen marketing strategies.
To disseminate information among the CBE organizations of Asia-Pacific region and provide networking opportunities for stakeholders.
To showcase quality CBE products and services as best practice examples.
To promote the Asia-Pacific region as an attractive CBE destination.

Programme Highlights

Day 01-02 Pre-conference tours (Itineraries, places of attractions to visit in Sri Lanka, package costs will be appeared shortly on-line www.ecotourismsriolanka.net www.ecotourism-srilanka.com Date: 16-17th March (tentative), 2009 Regional Conference (APREC) commence
Venue: Bandaranaike International Conference Hall , Colombo, Sri Lanka
Time 08.30-AM to 05.00 PM

Theme: ‘A Pragmatic Pathway to Develop Community Based Tourism in the Asia-Pacific region’

Areas to be focused

The Conference will entirely focus its plenary sessions and workshops on developing community based tourism Enterprises (CBEs) and Ecotourism potential in the Asia-Pacific region with the special emphasis on pro-poor tourism concepts, Poverty Alleviation through tourism Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Agro and Farm based Tourism, Wellness, indigenous Tourism, Adventure and Nature Tourism

Sub Themes and Issues to be addressed at the Conference

The CBE sector could play a pivotal role in diversifying the tourism product and to create more livelihood opportunities to less-privileged people living around the tourism generating areas and open up more avenues to alleviate poverty in the Asia Pacific region.
Launch a joint marketing Programme for Asia-Pacific Regions to show case its Culture, Heritage, Nature resources and marketing the region as an effective ecotourism destination both to the regional and the international traveler
The possibility of creating a SME and Sustainable Tourism Network with the involvement of the concerned governments, tourism industries, NGOs, INGOs in the Asia-Pacific region for the marketing of SME Tourism in the region.
The development of ‘Green Certification’ and ‘Eco-guide Training Programme’ exclusively for the Asia-Pacific region
An effective marketing strategic plans which could be developed in focusing the needs to shift from long-haul destination marketing to intra-regional tourism traffic in the region
Individual destination competencies need to be synergies for an effective intra-regional tourism development.
Needs to be addressed the ‘Access Issues’ related to the region in association with participating airlines, so that the region could expect more international and regional tourists.
The possibility of setting up of a ‘Core Group’ with public private partnership for evolving an effective marketing strategy for the development of tourism in Asia-Pacific Region.

16-18th March, 2009 Tourism Fair Venue: Sirimavo Bandaranayike Convention Centre, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Theme for the Tourism Fair

‘Prosperity for Asia-Pacific Region through Ecotourism’
(Exhibitors from the region could take part in the exhibition. Please check SLEF website after 3rd week of October, 2008) Time: from 09.00 to 07.00 PM. (all days)
First day: 09.00 AM to 12.00 PM Open for Regional Delegates and local industry segments
Other days; 09.00 AM - 07.00 PM Open for Public all days

People’s Tourism Awards – 2008-2009

The final day of the APREC will be the ‘People’s Tourism Awards – 2009’. In this Ceremony, the APREC will identify and felicitate the individuals and organizations who have rendered a yeomen service to promote ecotourism, uplift the community welfare and contributing Corporate and Social Responsibilities (CSR) through tourism in Sri Lanka and the Asia-Pacific Region.

Package Cost for the Participants

Foreign Delegates; US$
Single supplement: US$
(The above prices exclude the Air fare)
Extended stays: (hotel accommodation) cost: Galle Face Hotel – US$... per day BB per person
(More information will be appeared shortly in the SLEF web site soon) Discounted airfares are being arranged for the delegates arriving from Asia-Pacific region.
(SLEF is already in touch with the respective airlines taking part at the APREC-2009 to secure the discounted fares. Please refer to the SLEF web site for updated information on the discounted airfares and other incentives offered)

Package includes

3 (three) nights accommodation on BB basis at Galle Face Hotel or similar 5 star hotel
Conference Registration
Entrance to the APREC-2009
Welcome cocktail
Farewell cocktail and Dinner
Tickets to the Traditional Sri Lankan Cultural Show
Information Dossier/Conference/Exhibition Kit
Shuttle Service for the conference venues and back
Guide/escort services
Airport transfers

Optional ; Pre and Post Conference Tours

Pre/Post event tours Please see the Itinerary/prices below
Colombo/ Pinnawala / Kandy / Colombo –
Colombo/ Bentota / Galle / Colombo –
Colombo/ Kandy /Sigiriya / Colombo – (Overnight two days)

(More information will be appeared soon in the SLEF website soon)

Trade stalls could be arranged to the foreign delegates on request. Please contact SLEF Secretariat

Further inquires;

Palitha Gurusinghe, President
Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation
President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF)
Email; sleco@sltnet.lk
Phone: +94 777 631334 Fax: +94 11 2717708 / 2706433