Eco Team wins big at Presidential Tourism Awards
Eco Team (Pvt) Ltd, a pioneer in Eco Tourism in Sri Lanka was awarded the coveted Presidential Award for Eco Tourism under the Niche Market Operator category at the Presidential Tourism Awards 2009, which concluded last Tuesday. The Niche Market category was introduced into the Awards in 2009 and aims to encourage and recognise new concepts of Tourism in Sri Lanka. Eco Team is the first recipient of this award for the Eco Tourism category.
In addition, Managing Director/CEO of Eco Team Anuruddha Bandara was awarded prestigious Exceptional Individual Of The Year award for his many achievements in Eco/Adventure and Community based Tourism projects and contributions towards sustainable development of rural communities through livelihood development and conservation efforts.
Eco Team has pioneered many alternative tourism concepts and activities in Sri Lanka and was the first company to be recognised in this sector by Sri Lanka Tourism authorities as a licensed Safari Camping Operator. Their flagship product Mahoora Camping offers Luxury Safari Camps in many locations around Sri Lanka which includes camping experiences in Sri Lanka's many nature reserves and parks.
Whilst Eco Team caters to almost every Eco/Adventure tourism need in Sri Lanka, they also have a strong focus on the MICE sector. Their unique activities and alternate accommodation options combined with novel entertainment concepts are helping Sri Lankan Tour Operators to reach out to the global market with a completely different set of products. Furthermore Eco Team also includes specialist tours of Sri Lanka such as photography and filming missions, rock climbing and study tours dedicated to Sri Lanka's flora and fauna, all of which offer a unique perspective of Sri Lanka.
Bandara commented: "We are naturally delighted and proud of our achievements at the Awards this year. At Eco Team we are passionate about preserving our ecosystem through sustainable tourism, and it is this persistence and drive that has got us this far. Convincing the trade of the potential of Eco/Adventure tourism has been a tremendous challenge, and I would like to thank all our business partners for giving us an opportunity to prove ourselves. Our resolve to offer a wholesome Tourism experience to visitors to Sri Lanka has gained in strength with this award".
Established in Year 2000, Eco Team revolutionised the Tourism industry by moving into Eco/Adventure and enabling Sri Lankan tourism industry to offer experiences that they could never offer before. Operating at 24 locations offering 26 exciting activities, today Eco Team has its own team of dedicated professionals and infrastructure to conduct any kind of nature or adventure related tour in Sri Lanka.
(Source: Daily Mirror – 22nd June, 2010)