World Tourism Day- 2011 under theme “Tourism Linking Cultures”

This year’s World Tourism Day will be celebrated under the theme of ‘Tourism – Linking Cultures’ set by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The main focus of this year’s theme is to foster awareness among the international community on the value of tourism and its cultural impact and to gain experience in understanding cultural diversity.

The World Tourism Day celebrations in Sri Lanka have been planned to implement with the contribution of all stakeholders related to travel and tourism industry. There are several programms lined-up for this year’s event including a ceremony for releasing new stamps and postcards commemorating the 2011 event, “Colombo Wall” painting among school children, career guidance work -shops, cultural shows, food festivals and many more events  in provincial  and national level specially focused on the youth taking into account the tourism potential in the country in the coming years.

 
This year’s World Tourism Day will be celebrated under the theme of ‘Tourism – Linking Cultures’ set by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization. A tourism zone was declared open from Uttarananda Mawatha to Perahera Mawatha. named as “Road to Paradise”  where the main activities are scheduled to take place from Sept. 25th to 28th . from Two thousand school children from 110 different schools in the Western province have participating to draw a 1KM long painting in this area yesterday (25), named as the “Colombo Wall”. The students will take part in this activity until the 27th. The painting will showcase the Colombo city in future, as seen through the eyes of these children.

The main function will take place tomorrow (27) with  the release of 10 new stamps and picture post cards covering this year’s promotional themes of Sri Lanka tourism including Pristine, Heritage, Bliss, Wild, Scenic, Thrills, Festive and Essence, and Scenic. The stamps will bear the value of rupees five (4 stamps) and fifteen(2 stamps). Also 04 Airmail stamps valuing Rs.30, 35, 40 and 45 will be also released.  A special Food Fiesta will be held in the tourism zone with the participation of Colombo Hoteliers Association. Variety of food items from different cultures will be prepared and served for the public during this festival highlighting the theme of cultural links.

Apart from these, special vocational training programs will be organized targeting the youth and school children fto educate them on the prospects of the Tourism Industry. The World Tourism Day programs will conclude with vivid cultural shows  on 27th and 28th Sept.

Special significance of this year’s program is the involvement of all stake holders of tourism industry with the leadership of Vocational Training Authority, Tourist Hotels Association , Inbound Tour Operators Association, Chefs Guilds Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development , Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skill Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Postal Services  and Sri Lanka Tourism,  in the implementation of the programs.