Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) today kicked off World Tourism Day 2021 celebrations by putting the picturesque city Haputale under focus.

An official ceremony to commemorate World Tourism Day 2021 was held today at the Kelburne Mountain View in Haputale, whereas a side event was also facilitated at the Uva Wellassa University.

In an effort to increase awareness and highlight the importance of tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism, together with the Uva Provincial Council and Uva Wellassa University will roll out in the coming days seven competitions under the categories; Inter-University Category (Best Travel YouTube Channel Competition, Best Travel Facebook Page Competition, and Best Travel E-Poster Competition); Open Category (Best Travel Photography Competition, Best Travel Videography Competition, and Best Innovative Tour Package Competition and Best Social Media Page/Blog Competition).

Furthermore, seven webinars, addressing diverse areas of tourism will also be facilitated within this week.

Commenting on the event, the SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando said strategic measures are taken to improve the performance of the domestic tourism sector by upgrading community-based tourism products, increasing registration of SMEs, uplifting industry standards, enhancing strategic marketing, and improving the efficiency of public services and infrastructure.

“Such initiatives are expected to create opportunities particularly to tourism and hospitality-based SMEs as well as the rural community. It serves as a catalyst for job creation for youth, women, minorities, indigenous people, and other marginalized groups, and as a stimulant of infrastructure and public service development in rural areas,” it said in a statement.

The 2021 theme for World Tourism Day focuses on fostering a people-centric, technology-driven, and sustainable tourism sector from the grassroots level, to achieve overall sustainable economic development.