As the global tourism industry reflects on how technology and innovation are reshaping the way people travel, City of Dreams Sri Lanka is offering a different perspective on what it means to redesign tourism: rethinking the destination itself.

Under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to redesign tourism”, World Tourism Day 2026 places transformation at the centre of the global tourism conversation. For Sri Lanka, where tourism continues to diversify beyond its traditional strengths of nature, heritage, culture and wellness, the emergence of a fully integrated resort in the heart of Colombo represents another dimension of that evolution.

As South Asia’s first and largest fully integrated resort, City of Dreams Sri Lanka brings luxury accommodation, dining, entertainment, retail, events, leisure and gaming together within a single destination. More than a collection of individual offerings, the integrated resort model creates an ecosystem of experiences, allowing visitors to stay, dine, discover, shop and be entertained within one connected environment.

This has implications beyond the resort itself. It creates new reasons for visitors to spend more time in Colombo, while complementing the experiences that have traditionally defined Sri Lanka as a destination.

“Tourism is evolving, and destinations need to evolve with it. For us, the opportunity is not simply to add another attraction to Colombo, but to create a new way of experiencing the city,” said Michael Habashi, General Manager (Resort) at City of Dreams Sri Lanka. “An integrated resort brings different experiences, audiences, businesses and talent together, creating a destination that can continue to evolve the traveler and the destination.”

Technology is also central to this evolution, from introducing modern gaming technology and internationally benchmarked systems to bringing NÜWA’s international luxury hospitality proposition to Sri Lanka. Technology-led guest services across Cinnamon Life and NÜWA support more seamless and personalised experiences, while advanced audiovisual capabilities and event infrastructure enable City of Dreams Sri Lanka to host large-scale MICE events, corporate gatherings, entertainment productions and international conferences to contemporary standards. Together, these capabilities demonstrate how technology can extend beyond individual guest experiences to support the development of Sri Lanka’s wider tourism ecosystem.

The model also creates a platform for Sri Lankan experiences to sit alongside internationally benchmarked hospitality and lifestyle offerings. The Shoppes at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, for example, provides opportunities for local fashion, jewellery, wellness, food and lifestyle brands to connect with both domestic and international audiences, bringing elements of Sri Lankan creativity and craftsmanship into a contemporary destination environment.

Equally significant is the exchange of knowledge and talent taking place behind the guest experience. Bringing together local professionals and international hospitality expertise creates opportunities for skills development, exposure to global standards and the transfer of knowledge across Sri Lanka’s tourism ecosystem.

Sri Lanka’s tourism proposition has always been rooted in diversity. The opportunity now is to connect that diversity in new ways.

As the country continues to build a more sophisticated and varied tourism offering, City of Dreams Sri Lanka represents a new chapter in that journey: one where Colombo can be experienced not merely as a gateway to the island, but as a destination in its own right, and where Sri Lanka’s natural, cultural and heritage strengths meet a contemporary, connected and constantly evolving urban experience.

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Sri Lanka is set to make history as it hosts South Asia’s first-ever Reggae Music Festival, “ONE LOVE 2026 – A Tribute to Bob Marley”, from 27 to 29 March 2026 on the golden shores of Bentota. The three-day festival will take place from 6:00 p.m. onwards, bringing an unprecedented celebration of global reggae culture to the region. The press conference to announce this historic moment was held at NUWA Sri Lanka, the latest ultra-luxury property in Colombo.

This landmark festival will feature six internationally acclaimed reggae icons—the largest gathering of global reggae talent ever seen in Asia and the Pacific:

• Maxi Priest – the “Prince of Reggae”
• The Wailers
• Julian Marley &Ky-Mani Marley – sons of the legendary Bob Marley
• Inner Circle
• Big Mountain

• The festival will also feature four international DJs, with two major artists headlining each night:
• 27 March: The Wailers & Maxi Priest
• 28 March: Inner Circle & Big Mountain
• 29 March: Julian Marley &Ky-Mani Marley

Adding to the excitement, Kingsley Ben-Adir, the lead actor in the 2024 musical drama One Love, and its director Reinaldo Marcus Green, are also set to attend the festival.

With reggae’s deep cultural resonance in Sri Lanka, the festival is expected to draw thousands of local fans along with visitors from India, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Western travelers escaping winter for Sri Lanka’s tropical warmth.

Organised by Sri Lankan-owned One In A Million Entertainment Ltd., headquartered in Europe and Colombo, in collaboration with Caribbean Entertainment, the event builds on a legacy of bringing global stars such as Shaggy, Diana King, Maxi Priest, and Big Mountain to Sri Lanka.

The event aligns with the celebration of Bob Marley’s 81st birthday on 6 February, enriching its cultural and emotional significance. Normal tickets are priced at Rs.10,000 per day and VIP tickets are priced at Rs. 50,000 per day. For all Reggae music enthusiasts wanting a Festival Pass for all three days, there is an Early Bird Offer at Rs. 25,000 (normal tickets) and Rs. 125,000 (VIP tickets). Tickets will be available on the PickMe Events platform.

A part of the proceeds from One Love Festival ticket sales will be donated to children’s orphanages water purification project carried out by the Indian Cultural Association in Sri Lanka. One Love Festival is also working with the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation to support its charity activities in Jamaica.

The festival’s international artist delegation—an estimated 70-member crew—will be hosted at the iconic NUWA Sri Lanka, Colombo’s newest ultra-luxury lifestyle and entertainment destination owned by Melco Resorts & Entertainment.

Speaking on the partnership, Michael Habashi, Vice President & Property General Manager of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, said: “City of Dreams Sri Lanka is proud to be the hospitality partner of South Asia’s first Reggae Festival. As Colombo’s emerging entertainment hub, we are committed to strengthening the city’s cultural and artistic fabric. Welcoming world-renowned reggae legends reflects our mission to champion creativity, support the arts, and bring globally iconic experiences to Sri Lanka.”

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