Tourisco was an initiative organized by the Environmental Service Avenue of the Rotaract Club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The main objective of this project was to raise awareness about Eco-tourism and Sustainable tourism.
Tourisco was a three-phased project which was contained by a PR campaign, Vlog competition and a webinar series.
In the first phase, we published a series of awareness posts including nine different topics which were related to Environmental pollution occurred through tourism. Under that PR campaign we raised awareness about the Destruction of Marine Eco system, Pollution done by solid waste Etc.
As for the second phase, we held a vlog competition to find people who are enthusiastic about traveling and vlogging.
We recognized contents that were relevant to ecotourism. A jury of three judges judged the vlog competition. Contestants seek to impress a panel of judges consisting of Mr. Supun Randika, Mr. Bhawanga Hettiarachchi, Nomadic Lobseters. After a reasonable period, winners were chosen. Ferose Habeeb won the 1st Place of the vlog competition. While the 2nd and 3rd places were won respectively by Rtr. Shenal Jayasinghe and G.S Hiru Perera.
In the third phase of the project Tourisco, we had a webinar series starting from 3rd of April 2021. Mr. Dhananjaya Bandara, Dr. Pathum Kerner, and Miss Amashi Weerasinghe led the first webinar on Wildlife Camping and Tourism.
The facilitators shared their views and experiences about wildlife camping and encouraged us to travel across the country while protecting the wildlife and the Environment. We also learned about scenic camping sites and safety precautions in camping.
The Webinar on Sustainable Tourism Industry within Sri Lankan Culture was held on 7th of April 2021. And it was conducted by Prof. Mohamed Aslan who was a Professor at the Department of Tourism Management in the University of Sabaragamuwa and Mr. Romello Perera who was the Assistant training and development manager at Jetwing Hotels. The facilitators positioned out the importance of sustainable tourism. And specially Mr. Romello Perera pointed out how Jetwing Hotel chain implements sustainable tourism within Cultural frame in their properties.
For our third webinar on the 10th of April 2021, the topic Tourism safety protocols with Covid-19 was discussed. It was carried out by the Medical officer of private health services regulatory council Ms. Nuwandika Siriwardhene, Senior lecture of University of Sabaragamuwa Dr. Sampath Bandara Wahala and Founder of travel_wife_ sleep and visitthambapanni Mr. Chaturanga Kahawatte and Mrs. Imasha De Silva. In addition, the facilitators discuss their perspectives and experiences with regard to tourism protection precautions in the event of a pandemic.
The audience found all three webinars very interesting and informative, and we received a lot of positive feedbacks. Thus, Project Tourisco came to an end, giving the message that world need Tourism, but we should protect nature and secure it for the next generations as well.
Written by Rtr. Thapodha Fernando
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