By: Staff Writer
November 06, Colombo (LNW): The UK Trade Envoy for Sri Lanka, Lord John Hannett, has issued a strong endorsement of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and its potential as a major global travel destination. Speaking at the launch of the Sri Lanka Pavilion at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London’s Excel Centre, Lord Hannett praised the island’s “story of strength and renewal” while underlining the UK’s intention to deepen trade and tourism ties with Sri Lanka.
In his address, Lord Hannett lauded the resilience, beauty and increasing appeal of Sri Lanka’s tourist offering. “You are not only promoting travel you are promoting understanding, helping communities thrive, and showing the world that Sri Lanka has an awful lot to offer,” he said. He noted the UK remains one of the top source markets for Sri Lanka, reflecting longstanding British affinity for the island.
He described his visit to Sri Lanka as inspiring: “I was moved by the optimism and passion of Sri Lankans, particularly among entrepreneurs driving the country’s post-crisis recovery.” He also stressed that tourism is far more than a revenue stream; it is “a bridge between different cultures.”
Lord Hannett highlighted ongoing UK–Sri Lanka collaborative initiatives, such as the Developing Countries Trading Scheme and the Ocean Country Partnership Programme, which support Sri Lanka’s blue economy tackling marine pollution, promoting sustainable seafood practices and conserving marine biodiversity. He said Sri Lanka has been identified among the world’s 36 global tourism hotspots for its beaches and water sports, and that the partnership is now “unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth and shared prosperity”.
He also recognised the UK-based Sri Lankan diaspora’s vital role in nurturing bilateral ties across business, academia and health-care, noting that thousands of Sri Lankan students study in the UK each year, forging strong people-to-people connections. “The relationship between our two countries is rooted in history but defined by the future, one built on shared values and global ambitions. From eco-tourism to digital innovation, from education to enterprise, the UK and Sri Lanka are building a partnership of opportunity,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is showing clear signs of resurgence. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the country had welcomed over 1.7 million international tourists during the first nine months of 2025 a year-on-year increase of more than 16 %.
Tourism earnings likewise surpassed US$2 billion in the first seven months of the year. Key source markets include India (the largest), the UK, Russia, China and Germany.
Despite the encouraging numbers, industry watchers caution that accelerating growth must be matched with investment in infrastructure, service quality and sustainable practices to ensure long-term success. Sri Lanka is leveraging wider marketing campaigns, visa facilitation and improved air connectivity to turn its recovery into lasting momentum.
With Lord Hannett’s endorsement and the UK’s partnering support, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector appears poised for its next chapter. The challenge now lies in converting global attention and rising visitor numbers into broad-based socio-economic benefits for the island nation.
