Sri Lanka tourism wins four international awards at SITF 2026 in South Korea

Colombo, June 18 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka Tourism has earned international acclaim at the 41st Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF 2026), held from June 4–7 at COEX, Seoul, South Korea, securing four prestigious awards that underscore the country’s rising profile in the global tourism industry.

A key highlight of the event was the awarding of the 2026 SITF Eminent Tourism Pioneer Award to Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the development and promotion of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.

The award follows a rigorous selection process conducted by the SITF Tourism Award Committee, which evaluates both academic and industry impact. In 2026, only six individuals—three from South Korea and three international recipients—were honoured. Prof. Ranasinghe becomes the first Sri Lankan in the fair’s 41-year history to receive this distinction.

In addition to this individual accolade, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) secured three major awards: Best Popular Booth Award, Best Booth Design Award, and Best Performance Award.

The Sri Lanka Pavilion drew thousands of visitors with immersive cultural showcases, interactive exhibits, and traditional hospitality. Its design, inspired by Sri Lanka’s heritage and Embekke wood carvings, along with vibrant performances by traditional dancers and drummers, received strong appreciation from international audiences.

The awards were presented at the SITF 2026 Closing Ceremony on June 7, where Sri Lanka stood out among participants from around 40 countries, marking a strong endorsement of its destination marketing and cultural promotion efforts.