10th International Tourism Research Conference successfully concluded in Colombo

The 10th International Tourism Research Conference (ITRC) was successfully concluded on 1 October 2025 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo, with the participation of more than 30 international professors, scholars, and industry experts. The event marked a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s academic and tourism calendar, serving as the intellectual centrepiece of the World Tourism Day 2025 Expo. The conference was organised by the Sustainable Tourism Unit of the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, and chaired by Professor D. A. C. Suranga Silva. Over the past decade, this premier academic platform has become a leading forum for global dialogue on sustainable tourism development. Deputy Minister of Tourism, Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, who has been a driving force in building stronger links between academia and the tourism industry, inaugurated the conference.

This year’s theme, “Transforming Tourism for Sustainable Prosperity,” brought together a truly international gathering of experts. Twenty-five professors representing 12 countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Korea, Japan, India, Indonesia, and South Africa contributed to the conference. More than 100 abstracts were published in the official Book of Abstracts, and the Journal of International Sustainable Tourism was formally launched at the event. Over 50 speakers presented their research findings across a range of multidisciplinary tourism fields. Key sessions focused on pressing issues for the global industry. Scholars explored the role of digital technologies, AI applications, and smart solutions in building sustainable tourism models. Other presentations centred on new tourism products and the circular economy, human resource development in tourism, and inclusive approaches to growth. A special focus on shared prosperity and sustainable Indo–Sri Lanka tourism highlighted the potential for stronger regional collaboration and mutual economic benefit.

The research presented at the conference provides a critical evidence-based framework for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. Insights on digital transformation, inclusiveness in tourism, circular economy practices, human resource development, and sustainability can serve as guiding principles for national economic strategy. The findings point to the potential of tourism to become a more competitive and resilient pillar of the economy, capable of driving foreign exchange earnings, creating high-quality employment, and contributing to long-term development across the island. Adding further weight to the proceedings, the Diplomatic and Global Leaders’ Discussion was also held under the theme “Global Best Practices for Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism Development.” This high-level forum brought together diplomats and policymakers to connect academic research with practical policymaking, ensuring that global insights are translated into strategies for Sri Lanka’s tourism transformation. The International Tourism Research Conference was part of Sri Lanka’s ambitious programme to mark World Tourism Day 2025, celebrated under the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) theme of “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” This year’s Expo was one of the most wide-ranging series of tourism events the country has seen in recent years, spanning provincial-level school competitions, industry exhibitions, and international conferences.

Professor D. A. C. Suranga Silva