Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation: 21 years of excellence
Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF), the pioneer National Ecotourism Organisation in Sri Lanka celebrates its 21st Anniversary this year.
Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) was established in 1998, 21 years ago, with a vision of uplifting neglected Lanka’s eco tourism sector.
The main Focus of Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation is the socioeconomic and socio-cultural development of Sri Lanka, through sustainable development and eco based community tourism. From its inception, SLEF has worked hard to introduce and implement poverty alleviation programmes through ecotourism.
SLEF is also the oldest Regional Ecotourism Association in Sri Lanka, affiliated to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the largest and the oldest international ecotourism organization in the world. Currently, Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation, is a Board member of the TIES and its Coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Region.
To realise this objective, SLEF provides support services and motivates local communities to participate in Community-based Ecotourism Programmes and environmental conservation projects. One of the main Objectives of SLEF is to reduce poverty in the tourism generating areas of Sri Lanka and thereby contributes to economic growth of the community, increase income generating activities through tourism and promotes the conservation of the natural, cultural heritage sites through genuine ecotourism practices. The specific Objective of SLEF is to promote sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka and position the Island as one of the best ecotourism destinations in the Asia-Pacific Region through infrastructure improvements; community and public-private sector participation in tourism, and promote regional cooperation.
SLEF is the only tourism organisation in Sri Lanka that promotes training, and research programmes on ecotourism and sustainable tourism, in addition to the development of Community Based Tourism Projects. During the past 21 years, SLEF has conducted many Community Training programmes, Certificate Programmes, Ecotourism Business Development (EBD) Programmes, Workshops, Study and Field Trips for the National and Chauffeur Guide Lecturers, activists of Community Based Ecotourism projects, University Students and academia, staff and officials of national and international NGOs, Executives of Destination Management Companies, private and public sector tourism organizations etc. Apart from, SLEF has hosted and organized many national and regional ecotourism conferences, workshops, symposiums on diverse themes and subjects related to Ecotourism with a view to promote Ecotourism in Asia-Pacific Region.
SLEF also represented Sri Lanka in important international and regional ecotourism conferences held across the world. In appreciation of the services contributed by the SLEF in promoting of Ecotourism in Sri Lanka, it has been awarded ‘Outstanding Contribution for Tourism’ at the ‘Presidential Awards for Sri Lanka Tourism, 2010’ and the first ever Award for the ‘Best Initiative for Ecotourism Research, Training and Education in Sri Lanka’ in 2011.
During past 21 years SLEF has pioneered in popularizing Ecotourism Education, Training and Researches in Sri Lanka, among the Community, Travel Agents, Tourism Marketing/Planning Executives and decision makers, Adventure and Nature based Tour Operators, University Students, teachers, Researchers, Practicing National Tourist Guide Lecturers, Hotels, Guest Houses, Restaurants, Ecolodge owners and Camping Operators, Travel Journalists in Electronic and Print media etc.
Since 1998, Palitha Gurusinghe, President of Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation and Chairman, Asia-Pacific Regional Ecotourism Council (APREC) has been working with TIES as its Board Member of the Advisory Council and the Coordinator of TIES Asia-Pacific Regional Network.
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) founded in 1990, it is a non-profit international organization dedicated to promoting Ecotourism.
TIES have been on the forefront of the development of ecotourism, providing guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, and educational resources at global level.
See more information; www.srilankaecotourism.org and https://ecotourism.org/