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Dr FREDRICK DE SILVA GURUSINGHE

Click here for Abstract Paper

 

NAME:

Gurusinghe Frederick De Silva

DATE OF BIRTH:

3rd February 1945

NATIONALITY:

Sri Lankan

PERSONAL ADDRESS:

No. 87/5A, 4th Lane, Kadawatha Road, Kalubowila, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka

TELEPHONE/FAX/EMAIL:

0777 631334 / 011 2706433 Email; sleco@sltnet.lk

EDUCATION:

- First Degree. Bachelor of Arts (University of Ceylon, Peradeniya), 1968, Economics and Social Studies

-Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations. (Standard: M.Phill) Conferred by the Bandaranayike Centre for International Studies, (Centre for Diplomatic Training in Sri Lanka, affiliated to the University of Colombo) ,1976

 

OTHER TRAINING

-          In Australia and India; Community Based Ecotourism Programmes

 

LANGUAGE/PROFICIENCY

 

 

Spoken

Read

Written

English:

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Sinhala:

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

MEMBER / PROF-SOCIETIES:  -

  • Team Member of Integrating Biodiversity in to the Tourism Sector: Best Practice Guidelines UNEP/UNDP/GEF/BPSP-International Committee on Biodiversity/Tourism Research Carried out by Dr. Hector Ceballos-Lascurain, International Coordinator,  (Mexico)

  • Ministerial Task Force: Capacity Building for Ecotourism and Policy Planning formulated by Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Sri Lanka (now terminated)

  • Steering Committee Member, Formulation of National Policies on Ecotourism sponsored by Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka, funded by NORAD

  • High Level Meeting for Incorporation of Cleaner Production Practices in to Tourism and Forestry Sector (Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources)

  • Professional Member of the International Ecotourism Society (TIES))

  • Professional Member, Ecotourism Association of Australia (EAA)

  • Member/ Correspondent, Sri Lanka ECOCLUB S.A, Greece,(ATHENS)

  • Steering Committee Member, South Asian Regional Conference on Ecotourism (SARCE), based in Sikkim, India

  • Consultant in Community Based Ecotourism, Sri Lanka Tourist Board

  • Consultant for Ministry of Central Region Development (MCRD) 05 Year Tourism Plan

  • Core group member and Consultant for Ecotourism/Alternative Tourism, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Sri Lanka

  • Steering Committee Member, South Asian Tourism Development Penal, National Geographic Society

  • Director, Research and Training Institute for Ecotourism, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation

  • General Secretary, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises Tourism in Sri Lanka (ASMET)

  • Coordinator, National Network for Community Based Ecotourism in Sri Lanka

  • Consultant; Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism Sri Lanka, Tourism Resources Improvement Project (TRIP) funded by Japanese Bank for International Corporation (JBIC), since 12th June, 2006 to the date

DETAILED TASKS ASSIGNED

(i)  Assist International Tourism Planner in reviewing and evaluating existing tourism development plans, including the Tourism Master Plan, and assessing their implications for the Eastern province;

(ii) Assist International Tourism Planner in advising the Provincial Planning Secretariat and the inter-agency planning committee on international and regional best-practices in nature-based tourism and eco-tourism.

(iii) Based on (i) and (ii) above, recommend appropriate tourism development strategies for the Eastern Province

(iv) Assist International Tourism Planner in assisting with the integration of tourism planning into the provincial coastal resource planning process;

(v) Assist International Tourism Planner in Working closely with the project team to review and assess the infrastructure necessary to accommodate current and future tourism development needs; and

(vi)  Assume primary responsibility for liaising between the consultants, PO, DPOs and the inter-agency planning committee in relation to tourism planning and tourism development activities in the Eastern Province.

(vii) Develop small-scale community-based tourism activities in collaboration with IP-NGOs.

(viii)  Provide training on tourism planning and development as appropriate.

 

WORK UNDERTAKEN WHICH BEST ILLUSTRATES CAPABILITY TO HANDLE TASKS

Kiralakelle Community Based Ecotourism (CBE) Project, Matara, Sri Lanka, 2004, Ecotourism Specialist

The Community Based Ecotourism Enterprise (CBE-of Kirala Kelle,) has been established to promote ecotourism, biodiversity conservation and to provide socioeconomic and socio-cultural benefits to the community living around Kirala Kelle. Kiralakele is an estuary located within the Matara . The total extent of the proposed project area is 1630 hectares composing a central 530 ha. Large marshland with abundant marshy plants, surrounded by a ramifying network of irrigational canals, a prominent vegetation consisting of small trees and scrub forest, paddy lands homesteads and a belt of mangroves. With consideration of the scenic beauty and rich biodiversity in the area, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) has taken initiative to develop Kirala Kelle as a prime destination of Ecotourism in the Southern Sri Lanka, under the guide lines provided by the District Secretariat, Matara and the Southern Development Authority of Sri Lanka, with a strong focus on community participation, biodiversity and environmental conservation.

 

This will be the first pilot project to introduce genuine Ecotourism in Sri Lanka. The main objective in establishing this Community Based Ecotourism Project, (CBE) is to increase and strengthening of institutional capacity of the CBE and thereby to see the full participation of the CBE members in complete tourism development process from the planning stage to the implementation and management, through avenue of consultation and partnership.   At a later stage, tourguides/interpreters employed by the CBE-K could conduct tours to the traditional mainstream tourism sites such as Matara Dutch Fort (16th Century), Polhena Coral Reefs, village of Dondra Head, southernmost point and the Weherahena ancient temple of Matara, Sri Lanka.  Tasks: All

 

Ecotourism Education and Research Center and Data Base, Sri Lanka, 2002, Ecotourism Specialist

He was clearly aware of the necessity of education, research and collection of data on ecotourism, and applying those data and findings to develop ecotourism, not only in Sri Lanka, but also in whole South Asian Region. He first attempted, as far back as in 1999/2000, to formulate and establish a ‘Research and Education Centre and Data Base on Ecotourism’ for South Asian Region with the support of Ecotourism Society of Pakistan (ESP). Unfortunately, the project did not come off the ground due to some disagreements between Pakistan and few other countries in South Asian region. The project saw its breakthrough when the applicant was able to forward a proposal to the first ever South Asia Regional conference on Ecotourism (SARCE), held in Sikkim, India. The SARCE was one of the 6 (six) Regional Ecotourism Conferences mandated by the United Nations’ Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO) which held prior to the World Ecotourism Summit (WES) in Canada in May, 2002. The recommendations and proposals, which come through SARCE, were to be forwarded to the WES for implementations and follow up actions. The proposal to establish South Asian Regional Centre for Training and Ecotourism and Regional Data Base on Ecotourism  was well accepted by the SARCE and was included in the final declaration. Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation headed by the applicant has been the only Ecotourism organization in South Asia to lobby for a center of this nature since 1999. Needless to stress how this center will help to boost the image of Sri Lanka and the cause of Ecotourism in the region.  Subsequently, the proposal was accepted by the World Ecotourism Summit (WES), and included in the final declaration of ‘Chutes Montmoreney Declaration dated 24th May, 2002, prepared jointly by UNEP and the International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

 

New Ecotourism Travel Network in the Southern Coastal Belt in Sri Lanka initiated through Community Based Ecotourism Enterprises (CBEs), Sri Lanka, Tourism Planner, (sine 1998- to the date)

He was the prime mover of initiating an “Ecotourism Travel Network” in the Southern Coastal Belt of Sri Lanka with a strong focus on the principles of sustainability, Ecotourism and Community Based Ecotourism Enterprises.

This network includes following sites, with the Kiralakelle CBE being the prime location with its community owned ecolodge accommodation.

 

Exchange of volunteers between Sri Lanka and Nepal, 2003, Director position  02 years

Duties; Overall Management

The main objective is to develop ecotourism activities, which have already initiated by the two organizations. To be sponsored and funded by Frdskorpset, the Norwegian Volunteer Organization. Implemented jointly by the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) and the Katmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP), Nepal. 

 

Exchange of volunteers between Sri Lanka-Bangladesh, 2005, Director position  01 year

Duties; Overall Management

The main objective is to develop environmental journalism and ecotourism activities, which have already initiated by the two organizations. To be sponsored and funded by Frdskorpset, the Norwegian Volunteer Organization. Implemented jointly by the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) and Forum of Environmental Journalists Bangladesh (FEJB) 

 

Exchange of volunteers between Sri Lanka-Philippines, 2005, Director position  01 year

Duties; Overall Management

The main objective is to regenerate community based ecotourism projects in the south coast of Sri Lanka, devastated by the tsunami in 2004. funded by Frdskorpset, the Norwegian Volunteer Organization. Implemented jointly by the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) and Environmental Broadcasting Circle (EBC)

 

COUNTRIES EXPERIENCE (in Ecotourism)  South Asia, South East Asia, Sri Lanka

POSITIONS HELD

  • President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (1997-up to date)

  • Managing Director, Sri Lanka Eco Tours (2003- up to date)

  • Director, Sales and Marketing, Rosen Renaissance Group (2002-2003)

  • Director, Training and Research, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation( 2005-up to date)

  • Consultant for Sri Lanka Tourism and South Asian Ecotourism Data Bases (Since 2002 and up to date)

  • Managing Director, Ashi Enterprises Ltd (1983-1998)

  • Managing Director, Ashi Travels Ltd (1982-88)

  • Teacher, Department of Education (1970-1982)

Present Employment:

Chairman/Managing Director, Atsumi Holiday Resort (Private) Ltd & Sri Lanka Eco Tours

Consultant; Tourism Development,  Ministry of Tourism Sri Lanka, Tourism

Resources Improvement Project (TRIP) funded by Japanese Bank for

International Corporation (JBIC), since 12th June, 2006

 

 

Current President of Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF), the pioneer Ecotourism NGO in Sri Lanka, dedicated to the promotion of Ecotourism.

-         General Secretary: Association of Small and Medium Enterprises Tourism in Sri Lanka (ASMET)

-         Coordinator, National Network for Community Based Ecotourism in Sri Lanka

Environmentalist and promoter of Ecotourism Education and Research in Sri Lanka

From:  1998

To: Date

 

Employer:

Freelance

Position/Duties:

Consultant in tourism/Ecotourism

 

  • Director, Research and Training Project and Regional Data Base on Ecotourism (RDB) formulated  by the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF)

  • Chief Coordinator (Ecotourism), Director, International Conferences, Sri Lanka Environmental Journalists Forum (SLEJF), A Professional Media NGO supported by the UN-ESCAP, Asia Pacific Forum of Environmental Journalists (AFEJ)

  • Preparation of Business/Work Plans for new Tourism ventures

  • Securing grants for travel and tourism from international donors

 

From: 1990

To: 2006

 

Employer:

Self employed

Position/Duties:

Hotel/Resort owner/operator

  • Attend to all correspondence, formalities with the Ceylon Tourist Board, Registrar of Companies, and Banks etc.

  • Preparation of publicity materials, tour brochures, video (VHS)  films etc

  • Correspondence in tourism promotion

  • Preparation of tour itineraries, costing of package tours and handling of foreign and local visitors

  • Handling hotel reservations, transports, assigning of  tour guides

  • All round experience in management of hotels and holiday resorts.

  • Travel Journals

  • Tourism promotions (Inbound and out bound) in non-traditional markets such as South and South East Asia, China, Pacific Islands, Central and South America. Australia, West Asia etc.       

  • Handling International Conferences and Conventions

  • Promotion of ‘Private Nature Reserves’ and thereby generating income for tourism business.

From:  1992

To:  2006

 

Employer:

Firagi Holiday Resorts and Travel Ltd.

Position/Duties:

Director

  • Attend to all correspondence, formalities with the Ceylon Tourist Board, Registrar of Companies, Banks etc.

  • Preparation of publicity materials, tour brochures, video (VHS) films etc

  • Correspondence in tourism promotion

  • Preparation of tour itineraries, costing of package tours and handling of foreign and local visitors

  • Handling hotel reservations, transports, assigning of  tour guides

  • All round experience in management of hotels and holiday resorts.

  • Travel Journalist:

  • Tourism promotions (Inbound and out bound) in non-traditional markets such as South and South East Asia, China, Pacific Islands, Central and South America. Australia, West Asia etc.       

  • Handling International Conferences and Conventions

  • Promotion of ‘Private Nature Reserves’ and thereby generating income for tourism business.

From:  1992

To: 2006

 

Employer:

Firagi Holiday Resorts and Travel Ltd.

Position/Duties:

Director

  • Attend to all correspondence, formalities with the Ceylon Tourist Board, Registrar of Companies, Banks etc.

  • Preparation of publicity materials, tour brochures, video (VHS) films etc

  • Correspondence in tourism promotion

  • Preparation of tour itineraries, costing of package tours and handling of foreign and local visitors

  • Handling hotel reservations, transports, assigning of tour guides

  • All round experience in management of hotels and holiday resorts  

  • Travel Journalist: Tourism promotions (Inbound and out bound) in non-traditional markets such as South and South East Asia, China, Pacific Islands, Central and South America. Australia, West Asia etc.

  • Handling International Conferences and Conventions Promotion of ‘Private Nature Reserves’ and thereby generating income for tourism business.

 

From:  1982

To: 1992

 

Employer:

Ashi Travels (Pvt) Ltd

Position/Duties:

Director

  • Attend to all correspondence, formalities with the Ceylon Tourist Board, Registrar of Companies, Banks etc.

  • Preparation of publicity materials, tour brochures, video (VHS)  films etc

  • Correspondence in tourism promotion

  • Preparation of tour itineraries, costing of package tours and handling of foreign and local visitors

  • Handling hotel reservations, transports, assigning of  tour guides

  • All round experience in management of hotels and holiday resorts.

  • Travel Journalist:

  • Tourism promotions (Inbound and out bound) in non-traditional markets     

  • Promotion of ‘Private Nature Reserves’ and thereby generating income for tourism business.

From: 1980

To:

 

Employer:

Self employed

Position/Duties:

Tour Leader and Tour Coordinator for reputed Travel Agents and Tour Operators in Sri Lanka

National Tourist Guide Lecturer (Licensed by the Ceylon Tourist Board)

  • Attend to all correspondence, formalities with the Ceylon Tourist Board, Registrar of Companies, Banks etc.

  • Preparation of publicity materials, tour brochures, video (VHS)  films etc

  • Correspondence in tourism promotion

  • Preparation of tour itineraries, costing of package tours and handling of foreign and local visitors

  • Handling hotel reservations, transports, assigning of  tour guides

  • All round experience in management of hotels and holiday resorts.

  • Travel Journalist:

  • Tourism promotions (Inbound and out bound) in non-traditional markets such as South and South East Asia, China, Pacific Islands, Central and South America. Australia, West Asia etc.            

  • Handling International Conferences and Conventions

  • Promotion of ‘Private Nature Reserves’ and thereby generating income for tourism business.

From: 1970

To: 1980

 

Employer:

Department of Education, Sri Lanka

University affiliated Higher Educational institutions

Position/Duties:

Teacher/Lecturer

Challenges in Running a Community Based Ecotourism Project

(Abstract)

 

The paper starts off by introducing the Concept of Community Based Ecotourism. I would like to share our experience in Sri Lanka, of challenges confronted in establishing and running Community Based Ecotourism Projects in the last 8 years. Hope, our experience is very much common to most of the countries in South Asia, East Asia, Pacific, and African continent.

 

Some important Community Based Ecotourism Projects in Sri Lanka were initiated close to the Protected Areas and Rainforests such as National Parks and Sanctuaries. Some of these CBEs are located in Matara, Galle, Hiniduma, Yala-Bundala, Udawalawe, Waulpane, Ranpathwila, Arugam Bay, Sinharaja Rain forests, Sigiriya.

 

When establishing a Community Based Ecotourism Project we have confronted challenges in both developing and operating stages. Some of the challenges during developing stage include land use policies of the government/local government sectors, issues pertaining to sectoral coordination with other enforcement agencies (ex. Wildlife, archaeology, forests, environment etc), political interferences and lack of knowledge in ecotourism/sustainable tourism amongst the officials. There is also a long list of issues/challenges when operating a CBE for example expectation of immediate financial benefits, sub-standard services, poor cash management etc.

 

How to overcome the challenges? It is essential to conduct regular training and awareness programmes, review sessions, once the Community Based Ecotourism Project starts tourism business.

 

The Conclusion lists some proposals and recommendations that CBE developers/operators can learn and adopt as a result of the experiences of Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation.
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