Sri Lanka's tourism leaders unite to chart a sustainable and inclusive future for the industry

The International Tourism Leaders' Summit 2025 concluded successfully last week at the BMICH, charting a collective path to position Sri Lanka as a leading global destination through sustainable transformation, youth empowerment, and robust public-private partnerships.

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Held to mark World Tourism Day under the UNWTO theme "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation," the summit brought together a diverse group of policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and global partners. The attendance of President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake was seen as a strong endorsement of the sector's vital role in the nation's economy.

A central theme of the event was the critical need for collaboration. Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, set the tone by emphasizing that "close cooperation between the government, private companies, and local communities were vital to boost tourism." He further stressed the importance of making the industry an attractive career for the youth, stating that this "can only be achieved if the industry evolves with global standards."