Take a couple of minutes to revisit your recent past or perhaps even some time long ago, wrapped in an eminent nostalgia for an unforgettable trip to a favourite destination, wherever immediately comes to mind, whether within the country or abroad. I am certain that everyone, including you, has a recent travel story to share. In that sense, travelling is truly everyone’s cup of tea, we all thoroughly enjoy having fun wherever we go with the people who matter most. Yet, the more we travel and explore the world, have we ever stopped to think about the underlying driving force behind all these trips we plan? However, it’s obviously “Tourism” which is the invisible engine driving all these journeys.
Let me share the origin of World Tourism Day, a special day established by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation on September 27 to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes. The date also coincides with the transition between peak tourism seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, aiming to build global awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value. The tourism sector has been one of the emerging sectors in the present contemporary world in terms of its contribution to many other fields.
The tourism sector significantly contributes to a country’s development by fostering economic stability, showcasing cultural and social heritages and boosting the national GDP. Beyond these, tourism acts with a purpose for growth across a wide array of sectors, including infrastructure development, employment generation, environmental conservation and technological innovation, to foster awareness within the international community about the vital importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.
At present, countries all over the world have improved and developed their tourism sectors by renovating and building ample tourist destinations worldwide. Especially in the context of Sri Lanka, the country has seen a major change in tourism: according to the progress in 2026, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows that cumulative tourist arrivals have crossed the 1.5 million milestone. Moreover, data related to 2025 indicates that the tourism sector generated revenue of just over USD 3.2 billion and contributed around 3% to Sri Lanka’s total GDP.
Furthermore, the tourism sector helps showcase a country’s social and cultural heritage through ancient historical constructions and endemic cultural places. Investments in new tourism-related projects also bring leisure, fun and amusement, driving targeted tourists. Annually, tourists all over the world travel to different countries to explore various cultures, histories and famous tourist attractions. Regarding Sri Lanka, we have a wealth of tourist destinations, such as the central hill stations in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy, ancient historical sites in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, magnificent wildlife, lush green and scenic landscapes and golden beaches.
Moreover, the official theme for the celebrations of World Tourism Day this year, 2026, is Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism, where the global host is El Salvador, which primarily focuses on exploring how artificial intelligence and digital tools can build smarter, more sustainable and inclusive tourism experiences. Finally, to conclude, as we celebrate World Tourism Day, let us recognise that travel is not merely a movement across borders, but a profound bridge for economic resilience, cultural preservation and shared human connection.”
Written By: –
Rtr. Shivani Vasan
(Junior Blog Team Member 2026-27)
Design By: –
Rtr. Nethmini Pathirana
(Senior Blog Team Member 2026-27)
