Youth tourism awareness program in Northern Province

Call to build new tourism identity for North comes up at event organised by SLITHM in partnership with the ADB

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TOURISM is one of Sri Lanka's most inclusive sectors, creating opportunities for youth and women across the country.

The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), concluded a series of youth tourism awareness programs for young people aged 18-28 in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, and Mannar.

The closing ceremony was held on 13 November at NorthGate Hotel, Jaffna, with the Governor of the Northern Province, Nagalingam Vethanayahan, attending the event as the Chief Guest.

The program combined classroom learning with hands-on training across key hotel departments, giving participants practical exposure to real career opportunities in the tourism sector. It also included sessions on personal development, sustainability, and employability skills such as CV writing and interview preparation.

Launched in line with the Government’s priority to promote tourism in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, the initiative aimed to raise awareness among young people about opportunities in tourism and hospitality, strengthen their employability, and support the long-term development of the Northern Province as a competitive tourism destination.