ASMET

The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism

The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka, popularly known as ASMET, was founded in2005 by the Core Group for Alternative Tourism, an initiative in co-operation with the “Value Chain Promotion Component (VCPC)” of the “Capacity Building for Competitiveness and Qualified Employment (CBCQE) Program” of GTZ-Integration.

The formation of an umbrella organization for the SME sector in tourism has been in discussion among its stakeholders for more than ten years. After two years of multi stakeholder consultation and careful deliberation, the Core Group Members were able to formalize the organization. ASMET was formerly launched by its Members, at a simple ceremony in March 2006 at the Auditorium of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. The Deputy Minister of Tourism of Sri Lanka, The Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourist Board, and The Senior Advisor of VCPC/GTZ in Sri Lanka, and many key personnel who represent Sri Lanka Tourism graced the occasion and offered their fullest support.

Vision for ASMET
ASMET – a united voice for empowerment of Small and Medium Enterprises in tourism..

Vision for Tourism in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka – a responsible tourist destination that is highly desired and greatly respected.

Mission

To empower small and medium enterprises in the tourism industry of Sri Lanka by creating multi-stakeholder, public, private, people, partnerships.
To provide a network and forum of public and private partners in order to lobby for and address tourism related concerns and SME aspirations.
To educate members by improving their skills and services in order to develop professionalism and quality of the industry.
To support participation in trade promotional events.
To develop industry awareness and market high quality and responsible tourism products and services.
o provide a platform for the informal sector to be recognized, educated, empowered and brought in to the mainstream.
To educate and empower host communities.
To educate and empower entrepreneurs and start up tourism businesses.
To promote protection and enhancement of the environment and to safeguard resources.
To make a tangible contribution for the development of a responsible and sustainable tourism industry in Sri Lanka that assures fair allocation of resources and distribution of benefits to society and ensure sustainable growth without damage to our cultural heritage and environment.

Opportunities for our Members

To provide opportunities for small and medium enterprises to develop good value for the industry and promote fair practices in line with international standards.
To create a platform for the informal sector to be recognized and brought in to the mainstream – to formalize and benefit more equitably from the tourism industry.
To encourage the informal sector to join ASMET as an Associate Member, to share their aspirations and to access information necessary to improve the quality of their products and services.
To establish partnerships and linkages with national and international tourism related organizations, large enterprises, corporate companies and the Government.
To be part of a growing multi-stakeholder network that has access to policy makers, industry leaders, financiers, investors and markets.
To develop credibility to influence policy makers.
To develop a world class, niche, web portal/booking platform for Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism to market their products and services.

To attract infrastructure and resources to run a professional Secretariat that has capacity to drive ASMET’s mission and achieve the goals.

Goals for 2016/2017

Develop ASMET’s institutional capacity as a priority.
Develop strategic partnerships and linkages for “win-win” solutions.
Unite the SME sector in Tourism and build linkages to national and international stakeholders.
Encourage formalization of Sri Lanka’s large informal sector in tourism.
Continue to increase membership.
Raise Awareness and facilitate Education.
Skills Development and Capacity Building Workshops.
Training in remote areas.
Develop Standards to protect society, environment, and quality of products and services.
Develop socially and environmentally sound attitudes and behavior within the industry.
Foster transparency and good governance in the industry.
Lobby for:
– SME aspirations.
– Equitable distribution of resources and knowledge among SME’s.
– Protection of Society and Environment in tourism generating areas.
Develop SME Community Based Tourism Products.
Develop SME Alternate Tourism Products.
Promote and share Good Practices.
Represent ASMET members at as many trade fairs as possible.
Publicity and promotion of SME Products and Services in Tourism.
Represent ASMET at SME forums.