Sri Lanka Garners Global Recognition for its Tourism & Hospitality Excellence

Sri Lanka is steadily reclaiming its place on the world tourism map, not just for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, but for its excellence in hospitality, innovation, and sustainable transformation. Recent awards and milestones highlight how the island nation has been elevated in global perception, offering both travelers and stakeholders a compelling story of revival, commitment, and progress.

One of the most visible recognitions came in early 2025, when Sigiriya was named World’s Most Welcoming City by Booking.com. Based on over 360 million traveler reviews, this accolade validates what many international visitors already sense: Sri Lankan warmth, rich cultural immersion, and deeply rooted traditions coupled with modern hospitality standards. 

Closely tied to this is Sigiriya’s elevation as Sri Lanka’s first sustainable tourism destination. In January 2025, Green Destinations — a body recognised under the Global Sustainable Tourism Council — completed a rigorous audit and awarded Sigiriya a Bronze certification, officially marking the region’s sustainable efforts. This recognition acknowledges not just the natural and historical assets, but the integrated approach involving infrastructure, community involvement, capacity assessments, and visitor management. 

Domestic hospitality properties have not been quiet in this advance either. The Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2024 showcased some of the most prominent hotel brands in the country. Shangri-La Colombo and Shangri-La Hambantota emerged as leaders, winning several major honors—from “Best Five-Star Resort” and “Best Spa & Wellness Center” to recognition for conservationist efforts. These awards emphasise that luxury and ecological conscience are no longer separate paths in Sri Lanka’s hotel sector. 

In another significant achievement, Sri Lanka claimed key honors at the 9th South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025, held in Colombo. The country was named Leading MICE Destination and Leading Wellness Destination, among other awards. These wins reflect Sri Lanka’s growing strength in business travel, conference tourism, and health & wellness experiences—areas that tend to have higher economic value and promote longer stay lengths. 

Beyond awards, policy moves and strategic programs also bolster Sri Lanka’s global positioning. For instance, the launch of the Conference Ambassador Programme signals a coordinated effort to promote the country as a hub for international conferences and business events. Meanwhile, the government’s vision for inclusive tourism growth—developing rural city destinations, investing in city branding, and expanding certification and sustainability programs—is laying a foundation for long-term, resilient growth. 

A further dimension of recognition is social impact, particularly in gender inclusivity. Sri Lanka is seeing an increase in establishments empowering women in the hospitality sector. Resorts like Amba Yaalu in Dambulla, run entirely by women, are breaking stereotypes and redefining what hospitality leadership looks like in South Asia. These initiatives are being noticed by global observers and are contributing positively both socially and reputationally. 

What do these recognitions mean for Sri Lanka? First, they are boosting international traveler confidence. Awards and global rankings serve as third-party validation, often influencing travel decisions among tourists who seek quality, authenticity, sustainability, and safety. Second, they create incentives for investment—both by local businesses upgrading service standards and by international players recognizing Sri Lanka as a capable partner. Third, they help distribute tourism more evenly by encouraging development in lesser-known regions through sustainable destination certification and rural tourism programs, which helps alleviate pressure on over-visited sites.

However, while the momentum is strong, challenges remain: infrastructure needs improvement (transport, connectivity, utilities), workforce training must keep pace with elevated expectations, and carrying capacity or environmental impacts must be carefully managed as visitor numbers grow.

In conclusion, Sri Lanka’s recent global recognitions in tourism and hospitality are more than just trophies—they represent a turning point. Through combining heritage, warmth, ecological awareness, innovation, and inclusive strategies, the country is not only recovering its tourism sector but aiming to set new standards. If these trends continue, Sri Lanka is well-positioned to be seen as a world leader in responsible, high-quality travel—transforming perception, livelihoods, and the environment together.