WORLD TOURISM DAY 2025
World Tourism Day 2025: Sri Lanka Tourism Expo Showcases Youth, Sustainability, and Global Leadership.
Sri Lanka is set to celebrate World Tourism Day 2025 with one of the most ambitious and wide ranging series of events the industry has seen in recent years. Organized under the global UNWTO theme of “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” the programme reflects the country’s determination to place its youth, SMEs, and academic excellence at the center of tourism’s future. From competitions in the provinces to international conferences at BMICH, this year’s Expo marks not just a celebration but a reimagining of Sri Lanka’s role in global tourism. The initiative is jointly organized under the leadership of honorable minister of Tourism, Foreign affairs and foreign employment Vijitha Herath by the Ministry of Tourism, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM), the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), and alongside the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics & Hospitality Management (AATEHM) and the Sustainable Tourism Unit (STU) of the University of Colombo.
The collaboration itself is a reflection of the multi-stakeholder approach Sri Lanka is adopting to build resilience, promote innovation, and prepare the next generation of tourism leaders. Building on a Strong Legacy. The Sri Lanka Tourism Expo has become a recognized platform for showcasing the country’s talent, creativity, and industry potential. Since its inception, it has combined professional competitions, knowledge-sharing, and business networking in ways that have left lasting impressions on both participants and audiences. The first Expo in 2021, held at One Galle Face Mall, set the tone by bringing the energy of the hospitality industry into a public space. Hoteliers from leading establishments took part in food and beverage competitions, testing their skills in cocktail-making, cocktail preparation, and live cooking contests. These events were not just spectacles; they highlighted the artistry and professionalism of Sri Lanka’s hospitality workforce, drawing large crowds and engaging the public with the industry in a celebratory way. In 2022, the Expo returned with even greater ambition. Once again hosted at One Galle Face, it expanded its programme to include the Colombo Travel Mart, organized in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO). This marked a turning point, as the Expo began to serve not only as a stage for showcasing talent but also as a serious platform for business-to-business networking and industry growth. Travel agents, tour operators, and hoteliers connected strategic foresight and collaboration across sectors. with international partners, underlining Sri Lanka’s potential to attract investment and build market linkages. The 2022 edition also featured panel discussions, where academics, policymakers, and private-sector leaders addressed contemporary issues in tourism. These dialogues set the groundwork for what has now become a central feature of the Tourism Expo. The recognition that tourism requires not only creative and operational excellence but also Together, the 2021 and 2022 Expos created a strong foundation. They demonstrated the value of bringing together competitions, fairs, business linkages, and policy dialogue under one umbrella. These experiences have directly informed the 2025 edition, which now integrates youth through school competitions, entrepreneurs through SME awareness programme, and international expertise through the research conference and leaders’ summit.
By revisiting its past and scaling up its ambition, the Sri Lanka Tourism Expo 2025 carries forward this legacy, aiming to position Sri Lanka as a destination where talent, innovation, and collaboration converge to shape the future of tourism. Grassroots Competitions Across Provinces The programme commenced on 1 September 2025 with the provincial rounds of the All-Island School Tourism Club Competitions. Conducted in partnership with SLITHM, these competitions brought together enthusiastic students from all nine provinces to showcase their talents in culinary arts, food and beverage service, housekeeping, and tourism knowledge. The venues spanned the island: SLITHM Jaffna for the Northern Province, SLITHM Kurunegala for the North Western, SLITHM Ratnapura for Sabaragamuwa, SLITHM Bandarawela for Uva, Mindada Hotel Ampara for the Eastern Province, SLITHM Kandy for the Central Province, SLITHM Koggala for the Southern Province, SLITHM Colombo for the Western Province, and SLITHM Anuradhapura for the North Central Province. These competitions were designed not only to identify winners but to expose students to the hospitality industry at an early stage, instilling in them both skills and aspirations. Organizers have emphasized that tourism must be built on a foundation of human capital, and this begins with youth engagement at grassroots level. As one of the reports highlighted, the competitions were a “talent hunt” and an “awareness drive,” bringing tourism to schools and rural communities where the sector is often undervalued or overlooked.
SME Awareness and Provincial Empowerment Running parallel to the student competitions were SME awareness programmes, conducted in collaboration with the SLTDA. These sessions sought to strengthen small and medium enterprises in tourism, helping them transition into formalized structures, improve quality standards, and better integrate with national strategies. With SMEs forming the backbone of Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings ranging from guesthouses and homestays to transport operators and local guides. This effort is seen as vital for inclusive growth. The Colombo SME Awareness Programme will take place on 2 October 2025 at BMICH, coinciding with the International Tourism Leaders’ Summit, ensuring that the voices of small operators are heard alongside policymakers and global leaders.
Colombo Travel Mart and Job Fair: Bridging Youth and Industry the Expo officially inaugurates on 27 September 2025 at One Galle Face with the Colombo Travel Mart, organized for the third consecutive time in partnership with SLAITO. This business-to business and business-to-consumer exhibition will feature around 75 stalls, showcasing everything from hotels and inbound tour operators to eco-tourism providers and cultural tourism experiences. It will serve as a networking platform where local businesses can engage with foreign buyers, forging partnerships that boost inbound tourism. The opening ceremony will be graced by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinge, H.E. David Pine, High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka, Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of SLTDA and SLTPB, Mr. Dheera Hettiarachi, Chairman SLITHM and SLCB, UNWTO officials highlighting both local leadership and international support.
On 28 September 2025, the spotlight shifts to the Sri Lanka Tourism Job Fair and Career Expo, also at One Galle Face. The job fair and career expo will open by honorable minister of Labor and deputy minister of economic development. Now in its third year, this fair connects aspiring young professionals with leading employers in hospitality and tourism. The event includes interviews, career guidance sessions, and workshops aimed at equipping students and job seekers with pathways into the industry. With youth unemployment still a pressing concern, the job fair stands as a practical response to bridging education and employment.
The Grand Finale: The International Tourism Research Conference and School Competitions On 1 October 2025, Colombo will host the 10th International Tourism Research Conference (ITRC) at BMICH. This year’s conference is particularly significant, with over 30 international professors and scholars expected to attend. Research papers will explore a wide range of themes under the umbrella of sustainable tourism transformation, from destination resilience to digital innovation and inclusive growth. The conference will be inaugurated by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinge, who has been a driving force in linking academia with industry. For many, the ITRC is the intellectual heart of the Expo, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s strategies are informed by global insights and local realities. On the same day, the All-Island School Tourism Club Competition Grand Finale will be held at Waters Edge, bringing together about 300 finalists from across the provinces. This event, graced by Mr. Dheera Hettiarachchi, Chairman of SLITHM and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, is expected to showcase the very best of the country’s youth talent, underscoring the Expo’s commitment to nurturing future leaders.
International Tourism Leaders’ Summit The celebrations culminate on 2 October 2025 with the International Tourism Leaders’ Summit (ITLS) at BMICH. This year marks the 10th edition of the summit, a platform that has consistently brought together global thinkers, policymakers, and industry experts. The highlight of the Summit will be a panel discussion on the theme “Tourism Innovation and Connectivity for the Future of Sri Lanka Tourism.” The panel features internationally renowned experts such as Peter Hill, Miguel Kunat, Buddhika Hewawasam, and Anita Mandarita . Their participation signals the seriousness with which Sri Lanka is approaching its positioning in the global tourism landscape, seeking to learn from international best practices while tailoring them to local needs. Looking Ahead Sri Lanka Tourism Expo 2025 is more than an event; it is a movement. By engaging students, empowering SMEs, showcasing talent, and attracting international academic and political participation, it reflects a country determined to rebuild tourism on principles of sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity. The presence of the visionary leadership, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Ambassadors, industry stakeholders and global experts affirms the sector’s centrality to Sri Lanka’s economy and identity.
