Sri Lanka’s initiatives toward sustainable tourism highlighted at the World Tourism Industry Conference (WTIC) 2025

 

Sri Lanka’s path towards sustainable tourism was highlighted at the 4^th World Tourism Industry Conference (WTIC) by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Hon. Arun Hemachandra on 5^th June 2025. The conference was held from 5^th – 7^th June under the theme “Sustainable Transformation of the Tourism Industry”.  

 

Addressing those at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Minister underscored that Sri Lanka has developed and implemented the “National Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme” and the first site to be designated under this scheme for the year 2025 is Sigiriya.  

 

He further emphasized that the importance of shared responsibility across the borders to ensure the collective works on climate action, biodiversity conservation, equality and cultural preservation through tourism activities. 

 

During the conference, he met with several Ministers and high -level officials from participating countries and heads of KOFTA, the International Tourists Forum (TITF), representatives of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

 

The Deputy Minister also participated in the tourism field tour to Jeonbuk, Jeollabuk-do, which provided the experience on true Korean food and Korean culture.  The Deputy Minister also had the opportunity to meet a few Sri Lankans residing in the region, who were invited to the programme.

 

Ms. Chandima Abeyrathna, Minister (commercial) who heads the trade and tourism section of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Seoul also participated in the Conference.

 

The WTIC, which is held annually in Seoul since 2022, is organized by the International Tourists Forum (TITF). The conference provides a platform for dialogue on key strategies and policies that support the transformation of tourism ecosystems and share the successful stories and valuable experience from others.

 

This year conference was attended by speakers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, UNWTO and PATA and over 150 participants.