RIYADH: Sri Lanka has endorsed the adoption of the Riyadh Declaration at the the UNWTO – GA, being held from 7 -11 Nov. in Riyadh
Announcing Sri Lanka’s concurrence with the draft “Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism” and supports its adoption, Lanka’s minister of foreign affairs and tourism Vijitha Herath said on Monday at the general assembly in Riyadh : “ 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.
“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.”
“ We are in an era of unprecedented technological advancement. Artificial intelligence is now an enabling resource cov
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.
