Switch-Asia to ‘green’ southern hotels

The second awareness seminar of the Switch-Asia Project was held in Wadduwa recently at the Blue Water Hotel with an active participation of a wide cross section of hoteliers in the Southern region.

Fifty four hoteliers and their engineers represented 35 Hotels in the region despite their busy schedule and were very enthusiastic about the deliverables offered by the project.

At the seminar, THASL Regional President (Kalutara), Roshan Perera delivered the welcome speech, followed by the presentation by Project Director, CCC Solutions Srilal Miththapala who outlined the details of the project and the benefits which could be gained through energy, water and waste management practices.

Water, Energy and Waste Officer of the Travel Foundation UK, one of the key partners of the project, presented Travel Foundation’s Ms. Claire Chambers role in promoting Green Hotels in the European market and how Sri Lankan hotels who participate in the program will reap benefits due to the exposure in UK and European Markets. She also listed the very wide range of supporters, partners and benefactors of the Travel Foundation, which included all the major tour operators who work with Sri Lankan hotels currently.

The Industrial Technical Services Manager, Suranga Karavita delivered a detailed presentation about the Importance of Energy Conservation while Prof. Niranjanie Ratnayake, Senior Environmental Specialist presented Importance of Environmental Management and Water Conservation.

The Switch-Asia Project funded by the European Commission aims to enhance the environmental performance of Small and Medium Scale Hotels in Sri Lanka.

The Project will assist the key beneficiaries in Water, Energy and Waste Management efficiencies and operational cost reductions, and aims at increasing the market acceptance of these players by promoting them as Green Hotels with a Low Carbon Footprint.

The Project is being implemented by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with the active participation of its partners, Responsible Tourism Partnership (RTP), Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), Institute of Environmental Professionals of Sri Lanka (IEPSL) and The Travel Foundation of United Kingdom.

The Project will conduct its third awareness seminar at Hotel Sigiriya on 20 July, 2010 for the hoteliers in the Cultural Triangle.