Australia Awards South and West Asia

In line with the Australian Government’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s tourism development, Australia Awards conducted a Short Course on Sustainable Tourism Development in 2018.

The 25 Short Course participants came from Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, including senior officials from Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Authority and Sri Lanka’s Tourism Promotion Bureau under the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs. CEO’s, Directors and Managers of reputed tourism institutions in the country were also participants – including the CEO of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.

The objective of the Short Course was to improve the enabling environment of the sustainable tourism sector, develop linkages between the two countries’ tourism operators and enhance the participants’ overall business planning and processes. The group also visited a vast array of tourist locations gaining knowledge to influence their professional fields and communities.

Participants were exposed to Australia’s approaches and practices across topics such as destination governance, international-ready business, tourism organisation performance, business planning, innovation.

With the long-term goal of aligning the program with the Sri Lanka Tourism Strategic Plan 2017-2020, the representatives involved aims to work towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by 2025. They will translate their newfound knowledge to contribute to Sri Lanka’s development, focusing on the economic benefits of tourism and creating gainful employment through community engagement.

Australia Awards Short Courses like this are designed to build valuable people-to-people links both within Australia and within the Indo-Pacific region, enabling mid-career professionals and emerging leaders to tap into Australian expertise, gaining valuable skills and knowledge.

The course was facilitated by Griffith University’s Institute of Tourism and the University of the Sunshine Coast with assistance from Griffith’s International Business Development Unit.