Australia hails Sri Lanka’s tourism shift to unlock informed-decision making opportunities

Australian High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth says new airport exit survey marks breakthrough moment for smarter investments, inclusive growth, and global competitiveness

- By CHARUMINI DE SILVA

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Matthew Duckworth

SRI Lanka’s tourism sector received strong backing from Australia with High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth calling the launch of the new 12-month airport exit survey a “celebration of progress, partnership and potential” that will reshape how the country markets and manages its tourism industry.

Speaking at the presentation of findings from the SLTDA-MDF survey recently, Duckworth said the data unlocks a new era of informed decision-making just as global travel patterns shift and competition intensifies.

The High Commissioner said the sector responsible for roughly 8% of GDP, over 200,000 jobs and a leading source of foreign exchange must adopt the same data-driven discipline used worldwide to remain relevant and profitable.

He praised the “remarkable variety” of Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings showcased during the event and stressed that the country’s ability to understand the impact of these diverse experiences is central to extracting their full economic value. “This event shines a spotlight on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and demonstrates the critical importance of evidence-based decision-making,” he said.