Role of Intellectual Property Rights in Promoting Ecotourism in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Tourism sector in Sri Lanka is the third largest foreign exchange earner to the country which recorded Mn tourist arrivals in 2014, whereas Asia appeared as the main tourism source followed by Weste Employment generation both direct and indirect through the tourism sector is quite significant, that provides nearly 130,000 employment opportunities every year. According to the World Tourism Or ecotourism is recorded as the highest growing market in the tourism industry with an annual growth r cent worldwide. Nearly 3 percent of international tourist visits to Sri Lanka comprises of eco touris ecotourism an emerging market in the country. Sri Lanka has notable ecotourism resources and the g institutes are responsible in promoting ecotourism. The Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) which includ trademarks, sui generis system, geographical indications, industrial designs, traditional knowledge et of the important IPRs in developing and promoting ecotourism. Although Sri Lanka passed its IPR A thus far IPRs are not widely used in Sri Lankan tourism sector including ecotourism. The overall objec paper is to identify strategies to promote ecotourism by strengthening IPRs in Sri Lanka. The specific are to; identify types of IPRs that Sri Lankan ecotourism is currently using, evaluate present IPR system more particularly in ecotourism, identify international best practices in using IPRs to promote ecot propose suitable strategies for proper use of IPRs in promoting ecotourism. The methodology of the pap of a comprehensive literature survey, country case studies and in-depth interviews with main stakeh findings highlighted the importance of disseminating knowledge on the importance of IPRs and the use protecting biodiversity, culture, traditional knowledge etc. in ecotourism to the grassroot levels. It is im provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss matters and to provide feasible strategies in protecting b culture and traditional knowledge while promoting ecotourism. Further, it is essential to establish a se to monitor and to provide adequate information and support in exploiting IPRs in ecotourism.