Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts to focus on “Future of Tourism Summit” this month
A key summit this month based on the future of Sri Lankan tourism is set to bring out interesting facts and innovative ideas that would contribute to a sustainable tourism industry going forward.
Environmentalist Prof. Sarath Kotagama, Tourism Development Authority Chairman Paddy Withana and Cinnamon Hotels President Ajith Gunawardena (speaking). Pic by Athula Devapriya
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is hosting the first-ever ‘Future of Tourism & Responsible Tourism for Driving Revenue’ Summit, featuring an eminent panel of global industry speakers, on September 28 at the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, to mark ‘World Tourism Day’. National carrier, SriLankan Airlines will be flying in the delegates to the summit which is expected to attract 250 participants from the Sri Lankan and regional tourism industry.
Global experts on tourism and responsible travel and heads of sustainability in key travel organisations will be the key attraction at the summit. An eminent panel of speakers will share their vision for the industry and how it should be developed in a sustainable manner at the conference.
Scientist and environmentalist Prof. Mohan Munasinghe will be delivering the keynote speech and will cover some of the latest trends and topics related to the travel and tourism industry. Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo on Wednesday to launch the event, he highlighted how tourism in today’s context would cover a broader aspect that would take into account an economic, social and environmental dimension.
The innovation for social change he believes is crucial and also noted that instilling of proper values should begin with the children. Moreover, the goals of sustainable tourism would involve the concepts of social justice that could bring about social change and the use of social media in the political process.
Other speakers include Prof. Roland Conrady; Scientific Director of ITB Berlin – the world’s leading travel fair, Prof. Sarath Kotagama who will be speaking on “Responsible product innovation for tomorrow’s traveler”, Dr. Ian Yeoman; a professional futurologist in the field of travel, speaking on “Tomorrow’s Tourist”, Dr. Robert Govers speaking on “Destination Branding” and April Rinne, advisor to the World Economic Forum; speaking on “Product Innovations: Opportunities through Shared Economy”. Leading Business Intelligence Research organisation – Euromonitor and Future Technology Specialists – TrendOne will also be represented at the Cinnamon Future of Tourism Summit. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts President Ajith Gunewardene said in keeping in line with the World Tourism Day theme of one billion tourists, one billion opportunities Cinnamon is looking at seizing this to promote sustainable tourism through the Future of Tourism summit.
He noted that the direction Sri Lanka decided to take would have an “enormous impact” and would influence its future in tourism adding that the country has a “fantastic opportunity” compared to the rest of the region. SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ajith Dias said, “Responsible travel and tourism is becoming the cornerstone of tourism in the future and SriLankan Airlines too aims to be the airline of choice for the responsible global traveller as Sri Lanka positions itself as the regional services hub in Asia.”
The Future of Tourism Summit is powered by SriLankan Airlines, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and supported by Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Landor Associates and 230 Interactive Digital Media.