As World Tourism Day celebrations abounded in this year´s host country, Spain on the 27^th September, countries in the Asia Pacific including Sri Lanka held their own events to mark the annual UNWTO occasion.

The main programme of events in the country, organized by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Sri Lanka Development Authority, included a seminar on the theme of this year´s World Tourism Day, ¨Tourism and Sustainable Energy¨ in Ramada Hotel, Colombo on the 27^th September.

Other events being held around the country included awareness programmes for tourism stakeholders, facilitators and service providers, exhibitions on new energy sources, children´s competitions and practical activities such as tree planting and beach cleaning.

Next year´s World Tourism Day celebrations will be held in the Maldives under the theme 2013 ¨Tourism and Water – Protecting our Common Future.¨