The government’s National Tourism Vision for 2030 aims to attract five million tourist arrivals a year, build a tourism workforce of 800,000 people and generate USD 10 billion in tourism revenue by the end of the decade, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said on Friday (31).

She was speaking as chief guest at the 45th graduation ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) at the BMICH, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Division.

The gap between now and 2030

The targets imply a substantial scaling-up from current levels. Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka earned approximately USD 3.2 billion from tourism in 2025 — meaning the 2030 revenue goal is roughly three times last year’s figure.

Tourism-related employment currently stands at more than 429,000 direct and indirect jobs, she said, so the 800,000-worker target would require close to a doubling of the sector’s workforce in four years.

On arrivals, the picture is nearer. The Prime Minister said arrivals from January to July 2026 had already passed 1.3 million, and described the sector as having recovered from crisis conditions — including the disruption caused by Cyclone Ditwah — into one of the main drivers of economic revival.

Workforce, not just numbers

Amarasuriya said meeting the targets would take more than technical expertise, arguing the industry needs professionals who are environmentally responsible, ethically grounded, adaptable and committed to service quality.

She commended SLITHM for creating opportunities for people with disabilities to enter the industry, and said safe and supportive workplaces were needed to encourage women’s participation in the tourism workforce.

SLITHM was established by the government in 1964 as the Ceylon Hotel School. The Prime Minister presented awards and certificates to graduating students at the ceremony.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Dheera Hettiarachchi and SLITHM Chairman Wasantha Manthripala, alongside diplomatic representatives, staff, graduates and their families.

Sources: Ada Derana.