Sri Lanka has taken a significant step forward in advancing its tourism sector with the launch of two key consultancy projects funded through the World Bank’s Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP). The initiatives were officially inaugurated by Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, who underscored their role in developing a competitive, sustainable, and resilient tourism industry.
The first consultancy, covering the period 2026 to 2031, focuses on National Tourism Strategic Planning. This assignment has been awarded to a joint venture between Anniver Development Partners of Spain and Sri Lanka’s EML Consultants PLC. The consultancy is tasked with producing a comprehensive strategic framework that includes an analysis of demand and supply dynamics, assessment of investment requirements, an institutional and regulatory review, formulation of a marketing strategy, and the creation of a national implementation road map. According to the Deputy Minister, this framework will serve as the foundation for Sri Lanka’s tourism strategy over the next five years, aligning closely with provincial priorities and broader national policy goals while promoting investment opportunities and enhancing institutional capacity.
In parallel, Sri Lanka’s ministry unveiled a second consultancy focused on the Global Destination Communication Campaign Road Map. This project is led by Skift Inc. of the United States together with Sri Lanka-based MTI Consulting. The consultancy’s objective is to develop a forward-looking global promotional campaign strategy spanning five years, backed by market intelligence, creative direction, and a comprehensive campaign management plan. The initiative aims to modernize the country’s international tourism messaging, ensuring it is driven by data insights, meets international standards, and authentically represents Sri Lanka’s unique identity.
These initiatives form part of a broader effort by the Sri Lankan government to position the country as an attractive global destination post-pandemic, emphasizing sustainability and resilience as key components of future growth. The World Bank’s support through the GFPP grant facility reflects an ongoing partnership to strengthen project preparation capacity and unlock tourism-driven economic development in Sri Lanka.