The World Tourism Day falls on the 27th September. This year’s World Tourism Day theme is “Tourism responding to the challenge of climate change.” This is a most appropriate theme when we consider the times in which we live at present.

Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth. Around the globe, seasons are shifting, temperature and sea levels are rising, wildlife is at risk, there is the risk of drought and fire and floods are increasing. More heat related deceases, declining crop yields and natural disasters are just a few of the impacts that are devastating the world’s most vulnerable communities.

If we don’t take immediate action, climate change will permanently alter the lands and waters we all depend upon for survival. As a result, Tourism will be directly affected and head towards decline. Although we are a small island, and cannot claim to be anywhere close to the voluminous carbon sinks of that of the Amazon or the Congo, yet, Sri Lanka is home to a rich bio-diversity. Sri Lanka has taken various steps in conserving the environment, having being rewarded with significant accolades. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources was awarded the Global Ozone Prize 2007 in recognition of the contribution made for the protection of the Ozone layer, at a ceremony held in Montreal.

“Towards a Carbon Clean Sri Lanka: A Tourism Earth Lung” is the thrust we have initiated this year, in order to conserve the environment in a sustainable manner.

We in Sri Lanka Tourism, are beneficiaries of the rich bio-diversity, the green positioning, and the efforts made by many in ensuring that we conserve and protect our environmental, social and cultural resources. It is both an advantage and a huge responsibility that is placed on us. I would like to invite you to join hands with us to celebrate the World Tourism Day – 2008, and continue to remember the important theme this year.