Sustainable Tourism Assisting National Development in Sri Lanka – (STAND SL)

Abstract

Sri Lanka, like many other countries affected by the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, now faces a challenging path of recovery in all aspects of the nation’s development. Tourism is a key contributor to the national economic development in Sri Lanka. This pandemic has adversely affected all the stakeholders, mainly places of stay and tour sites, who now face a survival crisis as it either plans to bounce back better or finally fall forever. This research paper endeavors to implement a zero-waste robust strategic plan that will revolutionize the tourism industry and shift the paradigm of traditional tourism in Sri Lanka. While adjusting to the new normal concept of living, every affected stakeholder in the tourism sector will be taught to unlearn old practices and embrace new practices while giving central priority to sustainability and the ideology of zero waste converting energy to synergy to boost productivity in all corners of Sri Lanka.

The new plan will not only help rebuild affected stakeholders but will open up new innovative ventures to everyone in the community, particularly the youth, the aged and the disabled community of special needs be key contributors to their community in ensuring local tourism will continue to remain safe, sustainable and become a uniquely thriving one. Most importantly people visiting the country will no longer travel in trepidation but travel more confidently than ever before. Hence tourism in Sri Lanka will not only be a mere experience but a value-added one that will leave a lasting impression on the hospitality of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the concept of zero waste will align the community and provide a stepping-stone to achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to amalgamate people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership in Sri Lanka. Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and individuals that go the extra mile to continually evolve through the zero-waste strategic plan will be endorsed to accelerate and bolster their business back on its feet on various platforms, empowering one another to make Sustainable Tourism Assisting National Development in Sri Lanka (STAND SL) strategy that will positively impact people’s survival and progress in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Innovation, Covid-19, National Development, Sustainable Tourism, Zero Waste