Sri Lanka voiced its support for the Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism, adopted at the 26th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly.
During the minister’s intervention, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath briefed the Assembly on the importance of tourism and digitalization provided in Sri Lanka’s current economic development agenda.
Minister Herath further highlighted that the Declaration’s policy and the strategic as well as implementational dimensions are well aligned with Sri Lanka’s own digitalization and tourism policy orientation.
“Sri Lanka looks forward to the timely implementation of the Declaration’s key outcomes, including the reports on the use of AI and its impact on tourism, as well as the prospects for a future convention,” he added.
Full statement of Minister Vijitha Herath:
Your Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, President of the Assembly,
Hon. Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates
Good Morning
As I take the floor first time, let me convey Sri Lanka’s warm congratulations to Your Excellency on your able leadership to this Assembly. We also sincerely thank the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the gracious hospitality and excellent arrangements for our engagement.
I also take this opportunity to congratulate Ms. Shaikha Al Nowais, newly appointed Secretary-General of the UN Tourism. As the youngest and first female Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, your appointment marks a significant milestone for the organization. You may always count on Sri Lanka’s support and contribution.
At the same time, Sri Lanka also wishes to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the outgoing Secretary-General, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili for his dedicated service and remarkable contribution to advancing global tourism over the years.
Mr. President,
We are in an era of unprecedented technological advancement. Artificial intelligence is now an enabling resource covering every sector including travel and tourism.
On the Riyadh Declaration,
The Government of Sri Lanka concurs with the draft “Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism” and supports its adoption.
Tourism and digitalization are priority sectors in Sri Lanka’s current economic journey. The integration synergizes the two sectors.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka decided in October 2025 to establish a policy guideline to enable further the tourism sector through digitalization towards greater economic inclusivity.
The draft Riyadh Declaration contains several policy, strategy and implementation aspects which align with Sri Lanka’s digitalization and tourism policy orientation.
The Declaration also provides a sufficiently broad framework and thus leaves adequate space for development of national tourism plans integrated with AI and Digitalization.
Furthermore, the framework outlined in the Declaration also provides as well as leaves adequate space for the development and implementation of national tourism plans.
Sri Lanka looks forward to the key outputs of the declaration, in a timely manner, inter alia the reports on the use of AI and its impact on Tourism and on the prospects on a future convention. (Newswire)