Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation - SLEF - Ecotourism Sri Lanka

Community Based Tourism Advisory Panel appointed by the Ministry of Tourism

Establishing of a Community Based Tourism Advisory Panel by the Ministry of Tourism Sri Lanka on the 4th June, 2007 is one of the most important achievements of the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation. During last ten years the SLEF was tirelessly and actively lobbing for establishment of community based ecotourism projects in the tourism generating areas of Sri Lanka. In fact the promotion of community based tourism is the main focus of the SLEF from its inception in 1998. Therefore, the SLEF was happy to be involved with the Advisory Panel of CBT appointed by the Hon. Minister of Touris, Sri Lanka. SLEF was appointed to the Panel and its President, Palitha Gurusinghe led the Panel as the Coordinator. Accordingly, the Panel was able to develop a new tourism policy for the industry as follows.

‘To ensure a unified and inclusive approach to develop and sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka based on rational use of its natural, cultural, human and adventure resources. Sri Lanka tourism is accordingly committed to promote community based tourism that trickles down to the benefits to the communities’ In facilitation of this concept, the Hon. Minister of Tourism has appointed an Advisory Panel to look in to the matters, such as how best in Sri Lanka Tourism could get the support of the Community Based Tourism Organizations.The Advisory Panel has proposed the following steps to be taken

make aware of the new CBT policy to the stake holders
get their views how they think about CBT in Sri Lanka
What sort of programmes they suggest
Prepare a Work Plan for implementation

The importance of the CBT in the context of poverty alleviation of Sri Lanka

Ecotourism should use as a tool to alleviate poverty in the tourism generating areas
To strength the institutional capacity of the community and in the process to motivate the local communities to be involved in the complete tourism development process, from the planning stage to the implementation and management, through avenue of consultation and partnership
To assure economic justification to the community living around the nature and adventure sites through ecotourism activities
To support in preserving and developing social and cultural values of the area through ecotourism.
To make aware and motivate the community in the area to preserve the natural resources and the biodiversity in appreciation of the economic returns the community receive through ecotourism operations

Why Sri Lanka Tourism should promote CBTs in tourism generating areas

are the base to develop genuine ecotourism fabric in a country. Because, poor communities often see ecotourism as one of the few livelihoods open to them. Communities, whose members are living in poverty, invariably find their young people migrate to urban centres because of the decline in traditional industries such as agriculture and fishing. Ecotourism can prevent this urban drift and provide an essential alternative income.
Eliminate poverty
Environmental conservation
Protect cultural values, heritage etc
Protect cultural values, heritage etc
Awareness/education programmes on environmental, cultural values, heritage conservation

Close upon to a year the CBT Penal met regularly discussing various project proposals forwarded by the CBT organizations active throughout Sri Lanka. The Penal was able to define the CBT policies and identify potential projects for funding. The SLEF is happy to note that the project proposal submitted by the SLEF to establish an ecolodge railway community project in Ohiya Railway Station located close to the Horton Plains National Park received the priority for implementation by the Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka.