Apr 20, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka plans to formulate national standards in line with international norms for all adventure activities, the National Policy and Economic Affairs Ministry said.
The Central Project Management Unit of the ministry together the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Board recently convened a meeting of service providers and regulators with the aim of promoting self-regulation in the sector.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Standards, which is involved in this task, has agreed to involve all stake holders in this process.
Under the initiative, the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Board will host a web site on which all locations where adventure activities and sports provided by service providers will be listed.
As per the ministry, follow up steps include:
Sri Lanka Navy will convene a meeting of all water-based adventure service providers to assess the present status, e.g. diving to see the wreck of HMS Hermes off Batticoloa.
The Sri Lanka Air Force will coordinate air-based adventure activities through a meeting of stake holders and Special Forces of the Army will focus of land-based adventure.
On emergency communications, search and rescue, the TRC will coordinate with telecommunication service providers and health and emergency first responders to have a common number to call in case of a crisis.
The Policy Development Office of the Prime Minister’s Office is to work with the PM’s Committee of Vocational Training to develop a National Standard Qualification for Adventure Trainers.
The Sri Lanka Insurance Board has agreed to look into the insurance cover aspect of adventure providers and participants.
Adventure tourism and adventure training is fast becoming a popular industry and the industry service providers should prepare with best safety standards.
