The Government’s proposed 500 Tea Villages project will play a key role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s tourism industry while increasing tea export earnings, Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said at the inauguration of Hotel Show Colombo 2026 at the BMICH.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the country’s premier hospitality exhibition yesterday, Prof. Ranasinghe described tourism as one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Sri Lankan economy and stressed that the hotel and hospitality industry remains “the heart of tourism.”
He said initiatives such as the 500 Tea Villages project would diversify the country’s tourism offering while supporting one of Sri Lanka’s key export industries.
The three-day exhibition, jointly organised by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) and CDC Events, has brought together more than 200 exhibitors and is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors, serving as a major networking platform for suppliers, buyers and service providers in the regional hospitality sector. The event was also recognised as Sri Lanka’s first carbon-neutral trade fair by Control Union under the Green Hospitality concept.
Prof. Ranasinghe said enhancing international connectivity remains essential for tourism growth, pointing to the launch of direct flights between Colombo and Hanoi in May this year as a significant milestone. He added that exhibitions such as Hotel Show Colombo inspire young people to pursue careers in hospitality and called on all stakeholders to work together to promote Sri Lankan hospitality globally.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives David Pine said the continued growth of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry was encouraging and noted that next year marks the centenary of cricketing relations between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, presenting further tourism opportunities.
Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam said Sri Lanka is emerging as an attractive destination for Vietnamese travellers following the resumption of direct flights after a 34-year gap. She also highlighted a newly launched chef exchange programme aimed at promoting the cuisines of both countries.
SLHGA President Dr. Gitanjali Chakravarthy said hospitality has the power to unite people, while Hotel Show Colombo Chairman Trevine Gomez noted that the exhibition’s competitions provide an important platform for nurturing young talent in the industry.
Source: Daily News