‘Welcome to Sri Lanka’, the travel documentary produced by Mark Julian Edwards, won the prestigious ‘Television Broadcast of the Year’ award at the Inspire Global Media Awards 2026, contested by the BBC and Amazon TV.
According to Sri Lanka Tourism, Sri Lanka’s storytelling excellence took centre stage at the ceremony held recently in London, United Kingdom, with a packed room of media glitterati.
The documentary was selected from a competitive international field of entries, with judges highlighting its focus on the depiction of authentic human experiences and destination narratives.
“This whole episode of shooting and filming in Sri Lanka, I would say it was a concophony of incredible people with fascinating stories to tell. The fascinating wildlife, culture, heritage, the fabulous food using ancient, medicinally beneficial recipes passed down through generations, and the landscapes and traditions were a joy to watch. Above all, it’s the warm, kind nature of the hospitable Sri Lankans that truly left an everlasting impression,” Mark Julian Edwards said, commenting on the win.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau hosted Mark Julian Edwards as a member of the British Guild’s Media FAM Tour to Sri Lanka last year with 33 other media. The Off the Beaten Path Press Trip took the media journalists to extraordinary life-changing places and authentic local experiences around Sri Lanka. The film was produced based on his experience across Sri Lanka during the FAM tour, featuring cultural traditions, wildlife, nature, food, authentic arts, crafts, lifestyle and community-based experiences.
Sri Lanka Tourism states that this victory is a testament to how compelling storytelling can breathe life into destinations showcasing powerful, authentic human experiences. The award-winning film shines a global spotlight on Sri Lanka, beautifully capturing its extraordinary people, rich cultural traditions, breathtaking beauty, diversity, and unforgettable moments of genuine connections.
Through Mark’s lens, the world is invited to experience Sri Lanka not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing story filled with warmth, wonder, and exciting discovery. This win will be a prestigious endorsement for Sri Lanka to position itself as a unique and memorable destination on the world tourism map, Sri Lanka Tourism added in a statement. (Newswire)