Grand finale of all Sri Lanka school tourism clubs tournaments showcases youth talent in hospitality

The grand finale of the All-Sri Lanka School Tourism Clubs Tournaments was held at Water’s Edge in Battaramulla following a series of provincial-level competitions that began on 1 September, 2025. The tournaments, organised in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM), brought together students from all nine provinces, showcasing skills in cooking, catering, housekeeping, and tourism knowledge. The provincial competitions were conducted across the country: SLITHM Jaffna (Northern Province), SLITHM Kurunegala (North Western Province), SLITHM Ratnapura (Sabaragamuwa Province), SLITHM Bandarawela (Uva Province), Mindada Hotel Ampara (Eastern Province), SLITHM Kandy (Central Province), SLITHM Koggala (Southern Province), SLITHM Colombo (Western Province), and SLITHM Anuradhapura (North Central Province).

Organisers said that the initiative was not only about selecting winners but also about guiding aspiring students into the tourism and hospitality industry from a young age. They described the tournaments as both a talent hunt and an awareness campaign, aimed at increasing understanding of tourism in schools and rural areas where the sector receives limited attention. The programme was designed to highlight that tourism must be built on strong human capital, starting with youth engagement at grassroots level. Speaking at the event, the President of the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics & Hospitality Management (AATEHM), Nihal Muhandiram reflected on his personal journey into tourism: “I too came from a very remote area, and I faced many challenges. I once thought of becoming a doctor or engineer, but after joining a hotel school, I found a rewarding career in tourism. This industry contributes almost 10% to state income and creates huge opportunities. I thank the teachers and parents who encouraged students to take part in this programme. In Sri Lanka, there is a belief that failing A/Ls or not entering university means the end of a future. We must change that thinking and give every child an opportunity. This effort gives them that chance.” Chairman of SLITHM and SLCB Dheera Hettiarachchi described the programme as a landmark initiative: “This is a massive programme that linked all nine provinces, and it is not a simple task. The tourism industry is moving forward rapidly and covers many sectors without limits. Our aim is to bring five million tourists to Sri Lanka by 2030, and for that we need skilled resources. At present, around eight or nine universities have introduced courses related to tourism. Students who study at SLITHM leave with 100% job opportunities. Tourism can also create international pathways and open global opportunities. It is our responsibility to use this industry to make a positive change in the country’s economy.”

The tournaments formed part of an ambitious programme marking World Tourism Day 2025, celebrated under the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) global theme of “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” This year’s initiative has been described as one of the most wide-ranging tourism programmes Sri Lanka has seen in recent years, extending from provincial competitions to international conferences. It was jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, SLITHM, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), with support from the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics & Hospitality Management (AATEHM) and the Sustainable Tourism Unit of the University of Colombo.

Chairman of SLITHM and SLCB Dheera Hettiarachchi and other invitees at the opening ceremony