July 14, Colombo (LNW): In a landmark move that places sustainability, education, and youth empowerment at the heart of national discourse, the University of Colombo is spearheading an ambitious, island-wide celebration of United Nations World Tourism Day 2025.
In partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), and the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (Alumni ATEHM), a series of events is set to unfold across the country in the coming months.
Running under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” this national campaign aims to galvanise awareness, innovation, and meaningful engagement in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, with a particular focus on cultivating the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Activities will span from August through to early October, culminating in a flagship celebration between September 27 and October 01, centred at the prestigious One Galle Face and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.
At the heart of this initiative is a vibrant programme of activities designed to engage a diverse audience—from schoolchildren to seasoned professionals. A national inter-school tourism competition will roll out across all provinces, introducing Junior Tourism Clubs in secondary schools to nurture early exposure to tourism and hospitality.
Students will receive both theoretical grounding and hands-on experience in areas such as culinary arts, destination marketing, and guest services. The national finals, scheduled for 25 and 26 September, will showcase student talents and reward innovation in fields such as food and beverage service and eco-tourism promotion.
Parallel to these school-based events, the Tourism Travel Mart will offer an active networking hub where hoteliers, travel agents, sustainable tourism entrepreneurs, and cultural experts can interact with both consumers and potential business partners. This platform aims to boost domestic tourism initiatives, promote lesser-known destinations, and highlight sustainable tourism practices.
On 26 September, One Galle Face will also host a specialised Tourism Job Fair and Career Guidance Expo, providing workshops, live interviews, and mentorship sessions for aspiring professionals seeking careers in hospitality, travel management, and tourism-related entrepreneurship.
The grand finale of the celebrations will take place on October 01 with the staging of two international events: the International Tourism Research Conference (ITRC) and the International Tourism Leaders’ Summit (ITLS). More than 20 countries will be represented by esteemed academics, policy experts, and industry veterans, who will gather to explore bold new directions in sustainable tourism policy, digital innovation, and post-crisis resilience in the global travel landscape.
The campaign is a result of robust collaboration among stakeholders. While the Ministry of Tourism sets the strategic direction, the SLTDA and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) are leading national coordination and outreach efforts.
Intellectual and logistical support comes from the University of Colombo’s Sustainable Tourism Unit and the Alumni ATEHM, along with state and private universities that offer tourism and hospitality courses. Industry associations such as THASL, SLAITO, SLITHM, CHSGA, and ASME are providing technical guidance, while provincial councils are delivering on-the-ground implementation across the island.
With just a few months to go until the global observance, organisers have called on all sectors—from educators and local authorities to tourism operators and young innovators—to join hands and contribute to a reimagined tourism landscape.
