### Shenelle Rodrigo Named Sri Lanka’s First Lonely Planet Destination Correspondent 🇱🇰

Key Milestone: Global travel authority Lonely Planet has appointed Shenelle Rodrigo as the country's first-ever Destination Correspondent, marking a significant shift toward locally-driven storytelling in the tourism sector. Economic Impact: Through the "Sheneller" platform, Rodrigo and partner Shehaan Thahir have reached over 3 million international viewers. Their real-time reporting during crises (COVID-19, 2022 economic crisis, and recent cyclones) is credited with safeguarding approximately US$ 800,000 in tourism revenue by maintaining traveler confidence. Industry Integration: • Earlier in 2026, Sheneller became the first creator-led series featured on Sri Lankan Airlines in-flight entertainment. • The appointment signals the growing maturity of the local creator economy and its role in countering misinformation. Future Ventures: • Sheneller Ventures: Focuses on curated, experience-driven tours to diversify the travel & hospitality offering. • Holivate: A new platform launching to link hotels with creators through performance-based booking conversions, aiming to digitize tourism marketing. 📈