CERTIFICATE COURSE IN ECOTOURISM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (EBD) Conducted by Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation in association with The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and Asia-Pacific Regional Ecotourism Council (APREC)

Next Programme commences on; 23rd June, 2012 Venue: Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (Hotel School) Colombo, 03

Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF); An overview

Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF), the pioneer National Ecotourism Organization in Sri Lanka was established 14 years ago, dedicated to promote Ecotourism in Sri Lanka. SLEF is the only tourism organization in Sri Lanka that promotes training, and research programmes on ecotourism and sustainable tourism. During the past years, SLEF has conducted many training programmes, Certificate Programmes, Workshops, Study and Field Trips for the National and Chauffeur Guide Lecturers, activists of Community Based Ecotourism projects, University Students, staff and officials of national and international NGOs, Executives of Destination Management Companies, private and public sector tourism organizations etc. Apart from these, SLEF has hosted and organized many national and regional ecotourism conferences, workshops, symposiums on diverse themes and subjects related to Ecotourism. SLEF also represented Sri Lanka in important international and regional ecotourism conferences held across the world. In appreciation of the services contributed by the SLEF in promoting of Ecotourism in Sri Lanka, it has been awarded 'Outstanding Contribution for Tourism' at the recently concluded 'Presidential Awards for Sri Lanka Tourism, 2010'. SLEF is also the oldest Regional Ecotourism Association affiliated to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the largest international ecotourism organization in the world. Currently, Palitha Gurusinghe, President, SLEF, is a Board Members of TIES.

What is EBD

"SLEF has made arrangements to conduct CERTIFICATE COURSE IN ECOTOURISM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (EBD) which is highly business oriented and exclusively designed to offer in depth knowledge on diverse subjects related to nature, adventure, ecotourism and sustainable tourism, in a short period of time. The Certificate Programme will focus on how ecotourism activities mentioned above could apply to generate successful and viable businesses in Ecotourism. EBD will be a professional ecotourism business oriented programme which is specially designed to enlighten those who are already in tourism business and others looking forward to start new business ventures in Ecotourism.

There are about 35 modules of EBD which would cover almost all important areas related to ecotourism in 50 hours lecture/presentation series within 11 (eleven) days, including the field trips and technical tours. The lectures will be conducted on every Saturdays from 08.30 am to 05.00 pm, spanning over 3 months. Additionally, there will be field trips and technical tours for 3 more days and the programme to be concluded with written tests, examinations and assignments. Depending on participants' availability, SLEF hopes to arrange additional lectures, assignments and workshops etc. to further widen their horizons. At the conclusion of the EBD, an internationally accepted Certificate will be awarded to all participants who have completed the programme successfully.

SLEF prefers to enroll participants who have a flair and enthusiasm to learn more about sustainable, responsible and ecotourism in depth. The maximum intake for the programme will be 25 participants.