Saturday Oct 04, 2025
Saturday Oct 04, 2025
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| Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath |
Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath on Thursday clarified that the Government has no plans to promote LGBTQ tourism as part of its strategy, stressing that Sri Lanka’s focus is on building a “quality over quantity” tourism industry rooted in the country’s culture, heritage, and hospitality.
Speaking at the International Tourism Leaders’ Summit (ITLS) held at the BMICH under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, he said the sector’s recent growth proves the country does not need to compromise on cultural values to attract visitors.
“Tourism is not just another industry; it is a reflection of our civilisation, nature and hospitality. The industry is growing rapidly, and against this backdrop, we don’t want to harm our civilisation by chasing quantity over quality. The growth in arrivals and foreign exchange has been achieved without such measures,” the Minister said.
He said Sri Lanka welcomed 158,971 tourists in September, the highest monthly footfall ever and bringing year-to-date (YTD) arrivals to over 1.72 million. Tourism earnings for the first eight months reached $ 2.3 billion, with India, the UK, Russia, China, Germany, France, and Australia, leading source markets.
“We are very happy how the industry has recovered and is growing. Our unique hospitality, deeply rooted in culture and civilisation, offers an authentic experience unmatched by any other country. We want to present this to the world, while contributing to our national growth targets,” Herath said.
The Minister asserted that while Sri Lanka has no bias against travellers, the Government intends to upgrade tourism products and experiences to attract higher-spending visitors.
He also stressed the importance of research, innovation and programs designed to engage the younger generation and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in shaping the sector’s future.
Guided by the Tourism Ministry, the program was jointly organised by the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (AATEHM) of the University of Colombo, its Sustainable Tourism Unit (STU), the Department of Economics, University of Colombo, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM).
The main objective was to enhance the contribution of the younger generation, especially in small and medium enterprises towards the future of the tourism sector.
The ITLS, held to conclude a month-long program marking World Tourism Day, gathered Ambassadors, High Commissioners, industry stakeholders, and scholars under the theme ‘Tourism Innovation and Connections for the Future of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Industry.’
At the summit, the tourism industry also unveiled the “Ruhunu Ring”, a landmark private sector–led initiative aimed at transforming Southern Sri Lanka’s tourism landscape. Branded “Culturally Wild,” the 300-kilometre circuit connects premier attractions ranging from Yala and Udawalawe national parks to the Sinharaja Rainforest, Arugam Bay, Mirissa, Galle Fort and Kataragama.
The project seeks to raise average daily tourist spending beyond the current $ 170–180 by promoting immersive, experiential travel and encouraging visitors to engage with local communities.
Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam hailed the initiative as a “key shift in product development,” led by hoteliers and developers rather than the State.
Tourism advocate Yasas Hewage added that the ‘Ruhunu Ring’ is the first of five proposed thematic circuits, including wildlife, culinary, adventure and sports, and a future northern ring designed to reposition Sri Lanka as a premier destination.
The initiative was formally launched with the debut of its official website, providing an international digital gateway to market the circuit globally.
The event featured awards for school tourism competitions, a scholarly research forum and the first copy of ‘Vision2Voice’ magazine was also presented to President Disanayake, along with a research volume from the University of Colombo’s Sustainable Tourism Unit Prof. Suranga de Silva featuring the top 10 tourism studies.
President Disanayake awarded students, honoured industry veterans, and received a special memento during the event.
Labour Minister and Economic Development Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, University of Colombo Vice Chancellor Prof. Indika Karunathilaka, AATEHM President Nihal Muhandiram, and several other dignitaries were present at the occasion.
