As a part of resistance to unsustainable, unethical, unresponsible tourism development in Sri Lanka, NAFSO together with its one partner on sustainable tourism, STP-Swiss based organization has organized series of workshops on community tourism. Kuchchaweli in Trincomalee, Pasikuda in Batticaloa, KKS in Jaffna and Kalpitiya in Puttlam are the 4 places studied and conduct series of community education programs on Community Tourism.
Today, NAFSO conducted a workshop on Community tourism at Pasikuda.
The main 2 basic questions raised by the facilitator, Sumesh of KABANI -An alternative direction were;
* Who are benefitting from the tourism?
* Who bear the cost?
The people attended the session today said; "We do not have a place to keep our boat now. The small plot of land we have is also having some issues at Pasikyda. The hotel guards now prevent us passing the beach which is far from the hotel."
"Day by day our coast is becoming smaller."
Francis Rajan, the coordinator, Praja Abilasha network said; "We need to strategize how we could get organize to face the challenges. The Round Table Dialogue we organize on 3rd February is one place for unite us as a social movement."
Yves Bovie, the STP coordinator as well as a Sri Lankan who is a dedicated campaigner on responsible tourism and fighting against land grabbing issies in Sri Lanka said; "There is an exclusive working group on Sri Lankan tourism in Europe in which connect with STP and it is quiet impressive their commitment for ethical and responsible tourism in Sri Lanka."
The community members who attended the workshop will attend the follow up actions begining from RTD on 3rd February.
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