A virtual eco-tourism promotional event on Sri Lanka titled ‘Breathtaking Birds of the Sri Lankan Rainforest’ was held in Canberra on 12 November 2020. This interactive event, highlighting the bird diversity in Sinharaja forest of Sri Lanka was jointly organised by a specialised ecotourism facilitation company -Aarunya Vacations Ltd along with Savannah Guides Ltd, a leading tour guide professional network in Australia at the invitation of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra. The objective of the event was to keep the market presence in Australia for Sri Lanka tourism during the Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Actg. High Commissioner highlighted Sri Lanka as one of the most attractive and exclusive tourist destinations in South Asia and invited Australian eco-tourists and bird lovers to visit Sri Lanka once the borders are open.
This tourism promotional event comprising a 60-minute presentation and a 20 minute Q&A session was conducted from Sri Lanka by Rahula Perera, who is an ecologist, nature photographer, a past president of Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka and an eco-guide certified by the Ecotourism Australia.
Australian eco-tourism travel agents, officials of the wildlife tourism Australia, bird experts, ornithologist groups, and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia joined the webinar. Further, travel agents from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia joined the event representing Indo-Pacific region. The Honorary Consuls of Sri Lanka in Australia along with the Sri Lanka Consul General offices in Melbourne and Sydney participated in the event.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra
02 December 2020
