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PRIANTHA FERNANDO

Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
A multi-talented and skilled tourism professional, accounting for over 50 years of experience. MSc. In Tourism Marketing, University of Surrey, UK, Diploma in Hotel Management and Tourism, Belair College, UK. Work experience in senior positions with INGO’s, public and private sector organizations. Main areas of expertise in Tourism, Employment Services, Management, Construction and Exports. A Senior Tourism Consultant in Sri Lanka who has undertaken a multitude of consultancies in tourism master plan development, strategic environmental assessments, conceptual development planning, market analytical studies, value chain development, market research, product development and positioning, development of strategic marketing plans, feasibility studies, forecasting, hotel development and hotel management for over 30 years. Working for the National Tourism Organization (Ceylon Tourist Board) was instrumental in introducing hotel classification in 1981. Director, Marketing of the NTO from 1986 to 1991 with overall responsibility for destination marketing. Pioneering Director of the Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau. As the National Consultant/ Project Director of ILO (UN), from 2003 to 2007, was instrumental in setting up the National Employment Sourcing and Delivery System of Sri Lanka (JobsNet) with systems development and operation of 20 centers in 19 districts. Since 2007, have undertaken various tourism and employment services related consultancies from time to time for ILO. Consultant/ CEO of Freudenberg Leisure (2007 to 2016) and Consultant to date. Developed Randholee Resorts, Kandy, The Fir’s, Nuwara Eliya and Ellen’s Place in Colombo. Up to 2020 Project Consultant on the development of the 346 roomed Colombo, Intercontinental development. Currently, Tourism Marketing Specialist on the development of the Bangladesh, Tourism Master Plan for the Bangladesh Tourist Board, funded by the government of Bangladesh through IPE Global of India