Inclusive tourism pathway to growth: Prime Minister

• At inauguration of China-Sri Lanka-Maldives Tourism Forum, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasises need for inclusive tourism that reaches rural areas, women entrepreneurs, youth
• Stresses importance of regional collaboration to simplify visa processes and create joint marketing platforms 
• Over 100 delegates in attendance at forum, including policymakers, diplomats, tourism leaders, and academics

By Divya Thotawatte 

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the inauguration of the China-Sri Lanka-Maldives Tourism Forum yesterday said that for countries like Sri Lanka, tourism is an economic lifeline and a window to the world, highlighting the urgent need to reshape the industry to be more inclusive and empower all the country’s people. 

The Forum, themed ‘Integration on Silk Road and Win-win Cooperation,’ was jointly hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka and the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry, with the aim of strengthening cultural and economic ties through tourism cooperation in South Asia. 

The Forum brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, and tourism leaders from the three countries yesterday, hosting more than 100 distinguished invitees, including Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives, and a delegation from the Ministry of Tourism, China.

Giving a special address at the event, Dr. Amarasuriya explained that the pandemic had underscored both the fragility of global mobility and the urgency of resilience. 

“As we emerge into a new era of recovery in the world, we must use this moment to reshape our tourism strategies. We must ask, how can we build a tourism industry that not only generates income but also preserves our ecosystems, celebrates our cultures, and empowers our people?” 

She said that the Government was currently implementing wide-ranging reforms to promote the “equity of tourism.” These reforms included improving digital tourism infrastructure, enhancing the capacity of local tourism service providers, and expanding community-based initiatives to support the grassroots. 

“We are also working to expand community-based tourism initiatives that ensure benefits flow to grassroots levels, especially in underrepresented regions of our country.” 

Dr. Amarasuriya said inclusivity was central to this vision, explaining that tourism was not meant to be confined to popular destinations and urban centres, but must engage women entrepreneurs, support youth, and empower rural communities. 

Another key pillar was regional cooperation. Sri Lanka must move beyond working in isolation and towards coordinated planning and mutual support, she said, explaining that through greater collaboration, “we can ease visa processes, align health and safety standards, develop joint marketing campaigns, and create common platforms to attract international investment.”

She also extended gratitude to China for its long-standing partnership, particularly through cultural cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative, which had helped connect Sri Lanka to broader regional development efforts. 

Forums such as the China-Sri Lanka-Maldives Tourism Forum were not mere ceremonial gatherings, but critical spaces where vision turned into dialogue and dialogue turned into action, she noted. 

“Every journey has the potential to break stereotypes, to foster empathy, and to build peace. In a world that often feels increasingly divided, tourism offers a rare opportunity to unite across borders, across cultures, and across generations.” 

The event featured a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and cultural performances, spotlighting the strategic importance of tourism in the region’s economic recovery and long-term sustainability. 

Keynote speakers included Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, Peking University Centre for Tourism Research and Planning Director Prof. WU Bihu, who spoke on ‘China Inbound Tourism: Maritime Silk Road Narratives, Policy Dynamics, and Image Creation,’ Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation Chief Operating Officer Sabeeha Ahmed, who spoke on ‘Maldives... The Sunny Side of Life: Building a Global Brand,’ and New Era Cultural Tourism Research Institute Dean WU Ruoshan, who spoke on ‘China-Inspired Strategies for Building World-Featured Tourist Cities.’ 

Pix by Lasantha Kumara