By: Staff Writer
March 03, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is crafting a new tourism strategy, aiming to build on a promising 2024 by honing its advertising message, wooing digital nomads and raising per-traveler revenue.
It may even have a chance to capitalize on shifting geopolitical winds amid tensions between neighboring India and the Maldives.
In this context, the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance has announced the launch of Sri Lanka’s first travel agent training portal “The Sri Lanka Travel Expert”, a pioneering initiative to elevate the standards of tourism expertise.
Developed in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Tourism Resilience Project, this platform marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
“The Travel Agent Training Portal represents a concerted effort to enhance the skills and knowledge base of travel professionals across the world and encourage them to sell Sri Lanka. As the first of its kind, it offers comprehensive training modules designed to equip agents with the tools and insights needed to excel in this dynamic and evolving industry,” said Tourism Alliance Chair Malik J. Fernando.
With the unwavering support of the EU and USAID, the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance has meticulously crafted this portal to address the evolving needs of the tourism landscape.
By providing access to cutting-edge resources, best practices, and industry insights, the platform empowers travel agents to deliver unparalleled service and experiences to visitors.
Commenting on the launch, Tourism Resilience Program (TRP) Director Shehan Ramanayake said: “This portal is a novel opportunity designed to take the best of Sri Lankan experiences to the world through well informed and equipped international travel agents. We thank the EU and USAID for their support in creating a more resilient industry.”
This interactive learning resource offers engaging multimedia content, including videos, and carefully curated thematic itineraries to enhance the learning experience and ensure the retention of key information. Course content will be regularly expanded.
Upon successfully completing the training modules and achieving the test score required for certification, the travel agents will receive a “Travel Expert” badge from the Tourism Alliance, recognising their expertise in promoting Sri Lanka as a preferred tourist destination.
This initiative underscores the commitment of the Tourism Alliance to foster resilience and sustainability within the tourism sector.
By investing in the professional development of travel agents, the overall objective is to enhance the visitor experience, bolster destination competitiveness, and drive economic growth.
The Condominium Developers Association of Sri Lanka (CDASL) yesterday said it was deeply concerned about recent proposals advocating for protectionist measures within the tile industry.
