The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) proudly hosted the National Celebration of World Tourism Day 2026 Friday (25) at the Taj Samudra, Colombo, under the global theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”

The event, held from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., brought together distinguished representatives from the Government, tourism industry, private sector, academia, and technology and innovation communities. The programme highlighted the transformative role of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping the tourism sector, enhancing visitor experiences, and creating new opportunities for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Tourism Start-Up Competition 2026

A key highlight of the celebration was the Tourism Start-Up Competition 2026, conducted under the theme “AI-Driven Innovation for the Future of Tourism.” The competition attracted 52 applications across two categories – Tertiary Level and Commercial Level – showcasing the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Sri Lanka’s youth and tourism innovators.

Following a rigorous evaluation process, 25 applications were shortlisted for the final stage, where participants presented their AI-powered tourism solutions before an expert panel. Ultimately, six winners from each category were selected, recognizing their innovative contributions to the future of tourism. These winners were formally honoured during today’s celebration, providing them with a platform to showcase their solutions and inspire greater innovation within the sector.

Driving Digital Transformation in Tourism

The National Celebration underscored the importance of fostering an innovation-driven ecosystem that enables tourism stakeholders to adopt emerging technologies. By embracing AI and digital transformation, Sri Lanka Tourism aims to strengthen competitiveness, improve destination management, enhance service delivery, and create personalized visitor experiences.

The programme emphasized collaboration among the public sector, private enterprises, academia, and the technology community, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s commitment to building a sustainable, digitally enabled tourism industry.

A Forward-Looking Vision

Speaking at the event, officials highlighted that World Tourism Day 2026 marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey towards a future-ready tourism sector. Through initiatives such as the Tourism Start-Up Competition, SLTDA continues to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, ensuring that Sri Lanka remains at the forefront of global tourism transformation.