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Tourism News

SLTDA wins the Merit Award at the 2023 Bestweb.lk Competition

August 14, 2023

SLTDA enters into a MoU with NDB Bank to launch a Travel Card

February 26, 2023

Tourist can top up the card using Forex and start using it at SLTDA registered merchants to enjoy attractive benefits. This will help to ease the country’s economy and bring in a percentage of Forex into the formal channel and both tourist and industry will benefit hrough safe, transparent transactions, with low commission rates. Also it will enable industry to better craft the products according to expenditure patterns.

Design Guideline for the Tourist Accommodation Facilities

July 12, 2022

The Design Guideline incorporates a set of instructions aiming to help designers via the consolidation of already existing national design regulations and standards and best international practices in one single document.  These sets of instructions are intended to cover the minimum design requirements for tourist accommodation facilities to help designers and builders to create facilities that are functional and aesthetic to tourists, all while leaving space for designers to come up with innovative and creative ideas. 

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau joins with Business Chambers & Associations to resume MICE Tourism.

August 25, 2021

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) is a state institute under the Ministry of Tourism with the prime objective of promoting Sri Lanka as a venue for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions & Events) activities.

Sri Lanka Tourism launches membership drive for informal sector supported by Australia’s MDF

August 11, 2021

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), with the support from Market Development Facility (MDF), Australia’s flagship private sector development program, has launched a membership drive to encourage informal sector tourism operators to register with SLTDA. The membership drive was launched recently with a trilingual video series featuring celebrated cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara.

Sri Lanka Tourism attracts over $950 Million in tourism investments despite Pandemic

August 09, 2021

Foreign investment is a key driver of economic growth, as is the revenue generated via tourism. As one of its primary exports, tourism remains Sri Lanka’s calling card to the world. Over the last fifteen months (March 2020-June 2021) the government has attracted over $950 million in investments, dedicated to revitalising the island’s burgeoning tourism sector.

Sri Lanka Tourism in partnership with UNDP in Sri Lanka take forward National Sustainable Destination Certification (NSDC) as the 2nd phase of the National Sustainable Tourism Initiative.

August 02, 2021

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Ministry of Tourism with the technical and financial assistance of UNDP in Sri Lanka has initiated the National Sustainable Destination Certification (NSDC) scheme to transform 9 chosen destinations in 9 provinces with the best sustainable practices as the 2nd phase of the National Sustainable Tourism Initiative.

Sri Lanka Tourism introduces an e-learning platform for all SLTDA registered tourist guides

July 29, 2021

As an initiative to uplift the reviving tourism industry in the country, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in collaboration with Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM) have introduced the continuous professional development (CPD) e- learning platform to all registered guides to enhance their knowledge and skills.

World Bank Webinar on Tourism Sustainability and Resilience features Sri Lanka Tourism

July 28, 2021

Tourism is a key source of export revenues and employment for the Island and Sri Lanka Tourism recognising the potential for the sector, is focused on developing new products, exploring new markets, and positioning Sri Lanka as the ultimate experiential destination. The Authorities further understand that whilst there are emerging opportunities for growth, it is important to recognize the vulnerability of the sector and strategise on mechanisms to champion resilience and sustainability, with the assistance of Global partners such as the World Bank. Sri Lanka’s tourism product is based largely on natural resources, and it would be detrimental to the industry if proper practices and controls are not followed to ensure the sustenance of the sector.

Press Statement : Opening Yala National Park on 8th June 2021

June 06, 2021

Our attention has been drawn to certain social media posts being widely circulated in the public domain where reference is drawn to tourists brought in by certain individuals.The posts referred to are devoid of truth. We note the wide publicity given to such false posts. There is no such request nor approval given. The ability to visit a ‘Tourist Site’ requires the approval of the respective Line Agency. In this case the Wildlife Department. In the event the Line Agency approves only, can Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority grant approval to visit a site. In this regard we have not received any such request to seek approval to visit Yala National Park.

Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in Sri Lanka Investment Forum (SLIF)

June 05, 2021

Sri Lanka Tourism will be one of the key sectors highlighted at the upcoming Sri Lanka Investment Forum (SLIF) 2021, the first and largest virtual investor forum in the region scheduled to be held from 7th to 9th June 2021. Opportunities for investments in the tourism sector will be one of the key areas of the forum among 50+ sessions scheduled to reach across two time zones. Sri Lanka Tourism is participating in the forum to promote and position the island as the perfect destination for post-Covid travel and thereby attract foreign direct investors.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority approves Bolagala Floating Agro Tourism Resort in Katana – a novel Agro Tourism concept.

March 24, 2021

Bolagala Floating Agro Tourism Resort in Katana located close to the Negombo tourism hub will be the newest addition to the inventory of unique experiences for tourists visiting Sri Lanka. This is the first-ever floating resort in Sri Lanka created adopting an agro-tourism theme consists of 50 floating cabanas, including 10 GPS tracker equipped cabanas that could freely move around the picturesque lake giving visitors an exceptional experience: floating swimming pool, floating restaurant, main restaurant, pub & karaoke lounge, underwater spa, gym are the main components of the project.

SLTDA streamlines the tourism investment approval process with one common application collaborating 18 line agencies.

October 08, 2020

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has made the tourism investment process easy by streamlining the project approval process and the facilitation services provided by the Investor Relations Unit (IRU) - the unit established within SLTDA as the centralized facilitation arm for tourism investments in the country.

Sri Lanka Tourism and Australia’s MDF to develop five-year plan to transform tourism research

October 06, 2020

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) have joined hands to develop a research roadmap to facilitate Sri Lanka’s position as Asia’s foremost tourism destination....

Press Release: Sri Lanka receives Safe Travels Stamp from World Travel & Tourism Council.

August 20, 2020

Recognizing the safety protocols introduced by the Government of Sri Lanka along with standards mandated by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)to ensure the safety of domestic and international travelers.....