The World Tourism Day (WTD), which falls on the 27th of September, will be celebrated across the world this year as well, under the theme of Tourism & Water: Protecting our Common Future. Maldives will be the host of this year’s official celebrations.

In order to mark the occasion, under the guidance of Minister of Economic Development Hon.Basil Rajapaksa Sri Lanka Tourism has also made several arrangements going inline with this years theme of the WTD, ‘Tourism & Water: Protecting our Common Future’. Accordingly, Sri Lanka Tourism has organized a beach cleaning program covering the beach areas of Hikkaduwa, Benthota and Unawatuna. The program will start at 8.00 am on each of the above mentioned locations on the 27th of September 2013, with the participation of tourism sector stakeholders such as the hoteliers, school children, members from youth clubs, general public and government officials.

On the same day, a Tree planting program will also be organized in Bentota by the Sri Lanka Tourism. The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Mr. Bhaswara Gunaratne and Sri Lanka Tourism officials will participate in this event.

An art competition under the theme of ‘Tourism & Water: Protecting our Common Future’ held among the Hikkaduwa and Bentota schools. The idea of this event is to get the local community involved in the tourism sector and also pass on the benefits derived from the industry to the local community.

Apart from the above activities, the WTD would also be celebrated in the UVA, Central, Sabaragamuwa,North western Province, Western provinces and Southern province. The regional tourism bodies with the support of the Sri Lanka Tourism have planned to hold several activities in view of this. Among them ranks, activities such as organizing school art competitions, photography exhibitions and programmes on how to maintain clean water bodies.

Sri Lanka Tourism will be supported by the Bentota - Beruwala Tourist Hotels Association, Hikkaduwa Tourist Hotels Association, Unawatuna Tourism Development Society, National Youth Services Council, other tourism associations and Local Government Authorities in these areas.