International Tourism Leaders’ Summit concludes successfully under the patronage of President

The International Tourism Leaders’ Summit 2025 took place this week at the BMICH in Colombo, bringing together key industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and global partners to mark World Tourism Day under the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) theme of “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake also attended the summit, which was seen as a strong endorsement of the tourism sector’s role in shaping the country’s economy and future.

In his welcome address, the President of the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics & Hospitality Management (AATEHM), Nihal Muhandiram said that the gathering had brought together all stakeholders of the tourism sector on World Tourism Day. He said that Sri Lanka is well placed to be a leading destination with all the resources it already has. He added that Colombo should become the leading travel mart in South Asia, noting that the Colombo Travel Mart had been organised with that aim. "Several other programmes including a career and job fair were held to create opportunities for young people and professionals. People want better prospects and tourism can provide them. We must keep working towards this collective goal with the support of everyone.” he said.

Professor Suranga Silva of the University of Colombo said that the summit was more than a conference. He said that the involvement of all stakeholders showed the direction in which the sector was moving. He explained that young people must be inspired to see tourism as an industry they love and want to work in. "Knowledge must be continuously renewed. That is why we organised programmes such as research symposiums and school tourism club competitions. Tourism has supported the country at all difficult times including the Covid-19 pandemic, and future challenges must be faced with knowledge, skills, and data-driven strategies. It very important that the academia and industry work together to develop the sector."

Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, spoke of the need for a long-term plan for tourism. He said that this required close cooperation between the Government, private companies, and local communities. He also said that the younger generation including university students must see tourism as a career that offers stability and growth, which can only be achieved if the industry evolves with global standards.

As part of the day’s events, the countries that send the highest numbers of tourists to Sri Lanka were recognised in their own languages. These included India, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, China, France, Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, Bangladesh, Italy, and Canada.

A panel discussion followed with the participation of Peter Hill, Independent Commercial Aviation Consultant and former CEO of SriLankan-Emirates Airlines, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, Kieran Twomey of the Shangri-La Group, and travel consultant Miguel Cunat. The session was moderated by Dileep Mudadeniya of John Keells Group. The discussion focused on connectivity, destination competitiveness, infrastructure, and strategies to increase tourist arrivals and spending.

One of the key moments of the summit was the launch of the Ruhunu Ring, a private sector-led initiative designed to transform the southern tourism landscape. Branded under the theme “Culturally Wild”, the 300-kilometre circle links together Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, Sinharaja Rainforest, Arugam Bay, Mirissa, Galle Fort, and Kataragama. The project aims to encourage tourists to explore beyond traditional sites and spend more within local communities. Tourism advocate Yasas Hewage explained that the Ruhunu Ring is the first of five circuits, with plans already in place for the Wildlife Ring, Culinary Ring, Adventure and Sports Ring, and a Northern Ring. An official website for the Ruhunu Ring was also launched during the event.

The magazine Vision to Voice was launched as part of the summit, aimed at sharing ideas and perspectives within the tourism community.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, and Foreign Employment, Vijitha Herath, addressing the gathering, said that Sri Lanka must ensure that tourism is developed as an industry that benefits everyone. He said that opportunities must reach communities in every province, not only those in well-known tourist areas. He noted that when tourism grows in a way that includes small businesses, artisans, and local service providers, it brings more stability to the entire sector. "Tourism must also create a pathway for young people to build meaningful careers at home rather than looking overseas. Training and education must go hand in hand with expansion. Tourism is not only about foreign exchange but also about preserving culture and the environment. I urge all stakeholders to work together to build an industry that is strong, sustainable, and fair."

Speaking during the event, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said that tourism faces many challenges globally, but Sri Lanka continues to shine on the international stage. "This October, Sri Lanka was named the world’s best travel destination, adding to a series of recognitions and accolades the country has received from various international agencies. These acknowledgments show that we are moving in the right direction, and tourism has the potential to become a true turning point for Sri Lanka’s economy. At the same time, we cannot ignore the challenges. A key issue is capacity at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. It was originally designed to handle six million passengers annually, yet today it serves around ten million. The long-delayed expansion has put real strain on infrastructure. Another important area is branding. Sri Lanka needs a strong, globally recognised branding campaign to position itself competitively in the world tourism market."

Lifetime achievement awards were presented to Professor Suranga Silva and veteran tourism professional Chandra Wickramasinghe in recognition of their contributions to the sector.

The President awarded trophies and certificates to the winners of the All-Sri Lanka School Tourism Club competitions.

The International Tourism Leaders’ Summit was the concluding event of Sri Lanka’s programme to mark World Tourism Day 2025. The programme included provincial-level school competitions, industry exhibitions, and the International Tourism Research Conference. It was one of the most wide-ranging tourism events held in recent years and brought together students, professionals, policymakers, and international partners to shape the future of the sector. The series of events 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.