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Events

Centers of Excellence in Sustainable Tourism (CESTour)

 

The Department of Tourism Management of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka has partnered in the CESTour (Centers of Excellence in Sustainable Tourism to Boost Economic Development and Enhance University-Business Cooperation in Southern Asia) project under ERASMUS+. CESTour Project works with 10 universities in partner countries representing three European partners (Spain, Italy and Austria) and three Asian partners (Sri Lanka, India and Nepal). It is a European- Asian collaborationinitiativeintheCapacity Building for Higher Education(Erasmus+ CBHE) program aiming to evolve entrepreneurial mindsets for the betterment of the labor market and society alike. The project especially focuses on the development and implementation of centers of excellence for sustainable tourism to enhance the knowledge about the concept and create an impact on future developments in the tourism industry.  The overall objective of the project is to create awareness of sustainable development and to foster sustainable tourism in all countries, it is important that the major stakeholders, namely higher education institutions and companies unite their strengths and share efforts. Under the CESTour project, the SUSL will have an operational instalment of the CESTourcenter within the university in order to foster local economic development by promoting sustainable tourism enterprises. The CESTour project combines two target groups such as higher education institutions and tourism stakeholders to generate a greater impact in all partner countries. This engagement and commitment of top-level management, all the way down to instructors and employees from diverse faculties, ensures the long-term implementation and usage of established resources. The incorporation of CESTour within university structures can improve the availability of contemporary and accessible structures connected to sustainable tourism. In this regard, graduates' reputations in the corporate world can be enhanced. Since they can build on practical experience. This favorable image will reflect back on higher education institutions, helping to raise their national and worldwide rankings.

Multiplier Events

Societal awareness of sustainable tourism development is a timely necessity for driving regional and national development while protecting the environment and people. In this light, disseminating knowledge on sustainable tourism among tourism stakeholders has a vital impact. The Department of Tourism Management, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka has partnered with the CESTour (Centers of Excellence in Sustainable Tourism to Boost Economic Development and Enhance University-Business Cooperation in Southern Asia) project and conducted two successful multiplier events dedicated to sustainable tourism knowledge transfer and capacity building of stakeholders in diverse echelons with the contribution of Prof. Athula Gnanapala, Prof. Rangana Shalika, Mr. NamalWijesundara, Mrs. Rudmi Jayawardena, Mr. Hiran Dinusha and Ms. Chrishika Fernando.

The first multiplier event was held on the 04th May 2022 at the university premises with the participation of representatives from the Sabaragamuwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hoteliers Association, Belihuloya and Alumni Association of Department of Tourism Management - SUSL as well as undergraduates of Tourism Management and Hospitality Management Degree Programmes. The programme was designed to focus on the fundamentals of sustainable tourism and the application of sustainable tourism practices in tourism operations.

The second multiplier event was held on the 29th of June 2022 at Elephant Trail Hotel Udawalawe. This programme was targeted to cater to the tourism operators in Udawalawe and to raise awareness of the importance of regional development through sustainable tourism.The programme was planned to disseminate knowledge on sustainable tourism among tourism stakeholders as a partner of CESTour Project.

 

 

 

 

 

CESTour Project Management Meeting- Graz Austria

 

The project management meeting of the CESTour Project was held from 9th May 2022 to 11th May 2022 in Graz, Austria. The main purpose of this meeting was to discuss the progress of the project and get some experience in sustainable tourism projects launched there and implementation of it.  Three project members from Sabaragamuwa University had been invited to the meeting.

This meeting proposed to establish a framework for collaboration and mutual consultation with the project consortium to disseminateand promote the project and its results; give input on local/regionalinitiativesintheproject'sfield, andactasamultipliertoreachouttotargetgroups.During the meeting, members discussed the importance of developing a social business model in tourism that will continue forever sustainably. The initial discussion with the project partners provided a broader idea of applying the concept for the betterment of Sri Lanka as well as the university.Prof. Athula Gnanapala, Prof. Rangana Shalika and Mr. Hiran Dinusha and Participated the meeting representing Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

 

 

Erasmus+ CESTour Project Management Meeting - Kathmandu, Nepal

The Project Management Meeting of the Erasmus+ CESTour Project was held from 10th October 2022 to 12th October 2022 in Kathmandu, Nepal with the main purpose of discussing the progress of the project. Representatives from European and Asian partner institutes participated in the meeting while Prof. Athula Gnanapala, Prof. Rangana Shalika and Ms. Chrishika Fernando represented Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

 

This meeting proposed to establish mutual collaborations with the project consortium to disseminate and create more visibility to the project and its results, give input on local/regional initiatives in the project's field and act as a multiplier to reach out to target groups and create awareness on sustainable tourism. The members also received the opportunity to witness and experience some sustainable tourism projects implemented in Nepal. The discussions with the project partners provided a broader idea of applying the concept of sustainable tourism for the betterment of Sri Lanka as well as the university.