An event to felicitate and celebrate the partnerships that assisted Sri Lanka to achieve the recognition given to Sigiriya with the certification as Sri Lanka’s 1st sustainable Tourist destination in 2024- considered a major milestone, was held recently by Sri Lanka Tourism.
This success story of Sigiriya, perhaps is only the beginning. It has been noted that other provinces have shown interest and are already learning from the Sigiriya model that appears to have reinforced a nationwide commitment to sustainable tourism.
The concept of Sustainable Tourism Certification in Sri Lanka began in 2018 with technical guidance from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and financial support from the UNDP BioFIN Project.
In 2019, the National Sustainable Tourism Certification (NSTC) system was successfully piloted, certifying 37 hotels across the island.
Further progress was marked with the launch of the Sustainable Destination Certification initiative in 2023, which concluded in 2024 with Sigiriya being officially declared Sri Lanka’s first Sustainable Destination, following Cabinet approval.
This achievement was supported by a comprehensive Destination Management Plan developed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which also aims to enhance surrounding attractions in the area.
The internationally recognized body Green Destinations, accredited by the GSTC, is collaborating with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and other stakeholders to guide this process. The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector is also seeing growth through the “Good Travel” certification programme, with over 200 businesses island-wide now participating in the second round under the continued support of UNDP BioFIN.
Recognizing the need to focus more on accommodation and tour operations, the SLTDA established a dedicated Sustainable Tourism Unit (STU) headed by the Deputy Director General (DDG/SLTDA), Upali Rathnayake.
To strengthen industry engagement, a sustainability self-assessment system was introduced in collaboration with Solidaridad Sri Lanka, enabling businesses to assess and improve their sustainability performance.
These achievements are the result of strong partnerships with numerous institutions, including:
* UNDP – primary funder of the national sustainable tourism programme;
* ADB – for supporting destination planning and infrastructure development;
* Solidaridad Sri Lanka – for awareness campaigns, community outreach, and the sustainability assessment platform;
* Central Cultural Fund (CCF) – for unwavering commitment and inter-agency cooperation;
* UDA, Forest Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Central Environmental Authority (CEA), DS Office Dambulla, and the Sigiriya-Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha;
* Sigiriya Hospital, and local defence institutions;
* Tourism industry associations – SLITO, THASL, TAASL, ASMET, the Cultural Triangle Tourist Hotels Association, and grassroots groups such as guides, three-wheeler associations, and SME collectives.
These partnerships have assisted Sri Lanka to make significant strides in sustainable tourism, with this key initiative reaching success. These efforts are helping to protect the island’s natural and cultural resources, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and most importantly, deliver real benefits to local communities.
