The Cooperative Tourism Promotion Bureau, established by the National Co-operative Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), commenced its operations on 1st January 2021, providing a new experience for the cooperative movement in Sri Lanka.

According to Mr. Sarath Weerasiri, Chairman, NCCSL, “It is a program implemented under the "SMART office concept.”  The Bureau plans to launch co-operative development promotional activities in Sri Lanka as well as programs for foreign cooperators and tourists providing them with innovative tourism experiences linked to the local cooperative movement. The Bureau will provide the following key services –

1. Promoting services, products and market opportunities related to the tourism sector in the cooperative movement in Sri Lanka.
2. Establishing the tourism industry based on the cooperative movement in Sri Lanka for Foreign cooperators and tourists.
3. Implementing Tourism Knowledge Sharing Programs.
4. Implementing "Cooperative Educational and Cooperative Experience Sharing Programs" by local cooperatives based on their foreign cooperative exposure.
5. Printing and distributing various publications related to the cooperative tourism sector.
6. Guiding and supporting the establishment of new service delivery sectors in the tourism industry.
7. Focusing on income-generating methods related to the tourism sector for cooperative members.
8. Prioritizing the establishment of a high-quality cooperative tourism sector in the region in collaboration with international travel cooperatives and other cooperative organizations.

As the initial steps, networking with the cooperative tourism sector companies in the Asia-Pacific region shall be facilitated. The membership of the Coop Tourism Promotion Bureau will be granted to the relevant cooperative societies and the members will receive the following benefits.

1. All visits to the country by the NCCSL will be made only through the relevant member organization in the country.
2. Providing special facilities and opportunities to the representatives of the relevant member organizations when they visit Sri Lanka. Example: providing free accommodation, transportation, and low-cost travel services, etc.
3. Facilitating cooperative education programs in the country.
4. Promoting bilateral cooperative products.

Also, member organizations will be provided with affordable and quality services as required.