A WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATION TO REMEMBER: AMARI COLOMBO TAKES HOME TOP HONOURS AT WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2026
Amari Colombo named Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel for the second consecutive year at the 33rd Annual World Travel Awards
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – 27 September 2026: What better way to mark World Tourism Day than with another landmark achievement for Amari Colombo?
Amari Colombo has once again been named Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel at the 33rd Annual World Travel Awards, retaining the prestigious title for the second consecutive year.
The award was announced on Sunday, 27 September 2026, at the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held in the Maldives, bringing together leading names from across the region’s travel, tourism and hospitality industries.
The back-to-back recognition places Amari Colombo among Sri Lanka’s leading hospitality brands, following a closely contested category featuring some of the most established names in Colombo’s hospitality landscape.
For Amari Colombo, the achievement is particularly significant as the hotel continues to establish itself as a distinctive upper-upscale business and lifestyle destination in the heart of Colombo, bringing together Thai hospitality and Sri Lankan soul.
“When our name was called, it was a moment of immense pride”
Reflecting on the moment Amari Colombo was announced as Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel for the second consecutive year, Mr Indika Jayawardena, Hotel Manager, Amari Colombo, shared:
“When our name was called out for the second consecutive year, there was an immediate sense of pride and gratitude. Awards such as this are never about one person or one department. They represent the collective effort of every colleague who comes to work each day determined to create meaningful experiences for our guests.
“To receive this recognition again, particularly alongside some of the most respected names in Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry, makes it even more special. It tells us that what we are building at Amari Colombo is resonating not only with our guests, but also with the wider travel and tourism industry.”
“Recognition like this inspires us to raise the bar”
For Mr Monty Ariyaratne, General Manager, Amari Colombo, the consecutive win represents both recognition and responsibility.
“Winning Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel for the second consecutive year is an incredible honour for everyone at Amari Colombo. It is a recognition of the trust placed in us by our guests, partners and industry colleagues, and of the commitment demonstrated by our entire team.
“What makes this particularly meaningful is the timing. To celebrate this achievement on World Tourism Day is a wonderful reminder of the role our industry plays in connecting people, cultures and destinations. It also reinforces our responsibility to continue innovating, evolving and delivering experiences that are relevant to today’s traveller.
“We are grateful to the World Travel Awards for this recognition and, most importantly, to our colleagues whose passion, teamwork and dedication make achievements such as this possible. We celebrate this moment, but we also see it as motivation to raise the bar even further.”
A global benchmark for travel and tourism excellence
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards recognises and celebrates excellence across key sectors of the global travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Over more than three decades, its annual programme has recognised destinations, hotels, resorts, airlines, tour operators, tourism organisations and other industry leaders across the world.
The World Travel Awards Grand Tour travels through a series of regional gala ceremonies, with regional winners progressing to compete for honours at the annual Grand Final.
Winning a World Travel Award is widely recognised within the international travel industry as a mark of excellence, providing recognition and global visibility among travellers, industry partners and stakeholders.
For Amari Colombo, the 2026 award adds another milestone to a growing list of achievements since its opening, reinforcing the hotel’s position within Colombo’s evolving hospitality landscape.
Celebrating World Tourism Day with gratitude
As the global tourism community marks World Tourism Day 2026, Amari Colombo celebrates the achievement not simply as an award, but as a reflection of the people behind the brand.
From its oceanfront location on Galle Road to its portfolio of dining, meetings, leisure and accommodation experiences, the hotel continues to embrace its philosophy of “Thai hospitality meets Sri Lankan soul”, creating spaces and experiences designed to connect local culture with international hospitality.
The consecutive World Travel Awards recognition provides another reason for the Amari Colombo team to celebrate — and an even greater reason to continue doing what hospitality does best: welcoming people, creating connections and leaving them with something to remember.
About ONYX Hospitality Group
ONYX Hospitality Group, a reputable force in Asia Pacific’s hospitality industry, operates a collection of comprehensive yet complementary brands – Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence – catering to the distinctive needs of discerning business and leisure travellers in Southeast Asia where their expertise lies. In addition to its brand portfolio, ONYX Hospitality Group also operates additional hospitality services across spa and food and beverage. With over six decades of management experience, the company extends its innovative solutions throughout the region, upholding internationally recognised standards and ensuring optimal operational manoeuvrability. By fostering enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers unparalleled experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, meeting the ever-evolving demands of travellers.
About Amari Colombo
Located on Colombo’s iconic Galle Road in Colpetty overlooking the Indian Ocean, Amari Colombo is a contemporary upper-upscale hotel that brings together Thai hospitality and Sri Lankan soul.
The 167-room property offers a collection of rooms and suites, restaurants, rooftop experiences, meeting and event spaces, wellness facilities and lifestyle venues designed for both business and leisure travellers.
As part of ONYX Hospitality Group, Amari Colombo is guided by the brand promise “Brighten Your World” and its signature service philosophy, ARI — Anticipate, Respond, Inspire Trust — delivering warm, intuitive and personalised hospitality that creates meaningful connections, while fostering a workplace culture where colleagues can learn, grow and make an impact.
About World Travel Awards
Established in 1993, World Travel Awards recognises and celebrates excellence across the global travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Widely regarded as a hallmark of industry excellence, the awards recognise outstanding achievements across destinations, hotels, airlines, travel companies and tourism-related organisations worldwide.
Amari Colombo was named Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel 2026, following its success in the same category in 2025.
