📈 Carbon-Neutral Symposium Urges Sustainable Shift in Tourism

Industry leaders and global experts convened at the Amba Yaalu symposium to address the urgent transition toward environment-responsive tourism, highlighting a shift from quantitative to qualitative growth. • Economic & Workforce Dynamics Tourism is recognized as a primary global job creator, yet local female participation remains low at only 10% of the hospitality workforce. In contrast, other major foreign currency earners like tea and apparel & textiles maintain significantly higher employment rates for women. Average per-day visitor spend has decreased from US$ 170 (2018) to below US$ 140 currently, despite rising arrival numbers. • Environmental & Waste Management Sri Lanka faces a "terrorism against the environment," utilizing 20M shopping bags, 15M lunch sheets, and 10M PET bottles daily. The current plastic recycling rate stands at a low 3%. New regulations mandate plastic manufacturers to recover 40% of their production or face registration cancellation. • Strategic Sustainable Initiatives Launch of the island’s first carbon-calculated tour itinerary specifically targeting the high-spending, eco-conscious EU market. Focus on "slow travel," renewable energy integration, and increasing EV penetration to safeguard environmental assets. Emphasis on climate-responsive investments and data-driven decisions to bridge the gap between national adaptation plans and fiscal execution.