Aitken Spence Hotels Champions Sustainable Transformation on World Tourism Day

As the world celebrates World Tourism Day under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” Aitken Spence Hotels and its flagship Heritance brand reaffirm their commitment to shaping a future where travel uplifts communities, safeguards the environment, and creates experiences that endure long after a guest’s journey has ended.

Tourism has regained its momentum globally, reconnecting cultures, driving economies, and offering renewed opportunities for nations like Sri Lanka. Yet for Aitken Spence Hotels, success is not measured solely by arrivals or revenue, but by the positive footprint left behind. Every property under the group is guided by the belief that hospitality must deliver both memorable experiences for travelers and meaningful impact for the destinations and communities that host them.

With resorts across Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India and Oman, Aitken Spence Hotels offers a portfolio that blends architectural distinction, authentic cultural experiences, and environmental stewardship. The Heritance brand has become a hallmark of Sri Lankan hospitality, celebrated for its ability to create a strong sense of place. From the transformation of Heritance Tea Factory in Nuwara Eliya from a working tea estate into a unique heritage hotel which stands as a hallmark of the brand, to coastal retreats that work hand in hand with local communities, to iconic properties such as Heritance Kandalama seamlessly integrated into its natural surroundings, the portfolio showcases how tourism can be a bridge between nature and design.

Sustainability has long been at the heart of the group’s ethos. Heritance Hotels have achieved global recognition, with certifications such as GreenGlobe, Travelife and LEED setting benchmarks in the region. Comprehensive energy and water management systems, biodiversity protection initiatives, and zero-waste goals reflect a culture of environmental responsibility that goes beyond compliance to genuine care. Across the portfolio, 100% of wastewater is treated for safe reuse or disposal, renewable energy investments continue to expand, and associates are trained to embed sustainable practices into daily operations.

For Aitken Spence Hotels, however, sustainability also extends to people. The group has consistently invested in training, local sourcing, and community engagement to ensure that surrounding communities benefit directly from tourism. Earlier this year, Heritance Hotels partnered with the CCC Foundation’s 1333 Bikeathon under the banner “Travel Heals,” bringing together travel and mental wellbeing in support of suicide prevention. Such initiatives highlight a broader philosophy that hospitality is about people and purpose, not only places.

As a signatory to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, Aitken Spence Hotels continues to align its operations with global sustainability goals, setting science-based climate targets and strengthening ESG practices across its operations. These efforts reinforce the group’s role as a responsible leader in the region’s hospitality sector, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s tourism revival is not just resilient, but transformative.

On this World Tourism Day, Aitken Spence Hotels reiterates its call for collective action. Tourism has the unique power to uplift economies, preserve heritage, and connect humanity, but only if pursued with foresight and responsibility. 

From golden beaches to misty hillsides, from heritage properties to pioneering eco-designs, Aitken Spence Hotels and Heritance Hotels and Resorts remain dedicated to creating journeys that are not only unforgettable, but that also move the world forward.