Sri Lanka’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2026–2030: A New Era For Sustainable Growth

Published on September 10, 2025

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Tourism has launched nan National Consultation Workshop to create nan Tourism Strategic Plan for 2026–2030. The workshop, held astatine Galle Face Hotel successful Colombo, brought together representatives from each 9 provinces and 25 districts to style nan early of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

This inaugural comes arsenic nan existent Tourism Strategic Plan (2023–2025) is nearing completion. The caller scheme will beryllium aligned pinch nationalist improvement goals, nan updated Tourism Policy, and world frameworks to guarantee sustainable maturation and inclusivity wrong nan tourism sector.

Evidence-Based Planning for Sustainable Growth

The Ministry has adopted an evidence-based readying process for processing nan caller Tourism Strategic Plan. This attack will incorporated plus mapping, capacity assessments, and situational study to stitchery information and insights from various stakeholders.

Key contributors will see the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), and Dr. Samantha Pathirathna, nan lead consultant. Input from hoteliers, recreation agents, circuit guides, academics, and provincial authorities will thief build a scheme that is some visionary and locally grounded.

Focus connected Sustainability and Inclusivity

One of nan halfway goals of nan caller scheme is to beforehand sustainable tourism development. The Ministry is focusing connected nature-based tourism, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s earthy beauty, specified arsenic its beaches, rainforests, and wildlife. By leveraging nan country’s unsocial biology assets, nan scheme intends to tie eco-conscious travelers.

Additionally, nan scheme will beforehand community-driven tourism products. This will guarantee that tourism benefits are dispersed crossed different regions, peculiarly successful underdeveloped areas. By involving section communities successful tourism development, Sri Lanka hopes to create equitable opportunities and support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Private Sector Involvement and International Support

Visa Global Company’s sponsorship of nan arena logistics highlights increasing world liking successful Sri Lanka’s tourism revival. This sponsorship besides emphasizes nan request for public-private collaboration to thrust nan country’s tourism assemblage forward.

The Ministry encourages further engagement from nan backstage sector. This collaboration will thief fortify nan readying process and guarantee that nan last strategical scheme meets some section and world tourism trends. The support of businesses is basal to guarantee nan plan’s occurrence and sustainability.

Leadership Driving National Priorities

Under nan guidance of Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath and Hon. Deputy Minister Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, nan Ministry is ensuring that nan caller Tourism Strategic Plan aligns pinch Sri Lanka’s nationalist priorities. Both leaders are committed to making tourism a cardinal driver of economical and societal improvement successful nan country.

To guarantee transparency, nan Ministry will behaviour a validation phase, allowing stakeholders to reappraisal nan draught plan. This will guarantee that nan last strategy is inclusive, well-rounded, and typical of nan needs of each sectors.

Stakeholder Collaboration for a Unified Plan

The inaugural shop brought together cardinal figures from some nan nationalist and backstage sectors. Among those successful attendance were nan Secretary to nan Ministry of Tourism, Deputy Ministry Secretary, and Senior Assistant Secretary Mr. Russel Aponsu, arsenic good arsenic representatives from various tourism organizations.

This collaboration reflects nan Ministry’s committedness to creating a unified scheme that benefits each aspects of nan tourism sector. With input from a divers scope of stakeholders, nan scheme will cater to nan needs of tourists, businesses, and section communities alike.

Towards a Globally Competitive Tourism Sector

Sri Lanka is positioning itself arsenic a world leader successful sustainable tourism. By focusing connected nature-based, community-driven, and MSME-led tourism, nan state intends to boost some section and world tourism. The caller scheme will thief heighten Sri Lanka’s estimation arsenic a responsible and charismatic destination for travelers worldwide.

With this caller roadmap, Sri Lanka is group to toggle shape its tourism manufacture into a driver of economical growth, occupation creation, and societal equity. By embracing a strategical and inclusive approach, nan state is connected way to go 1 of nan astir sought-after destinations for eco-conscious and community-driven travelers.