Sri Lanka tourism secures four international awards at Seoul Travel Fair

Sri Lanka Tourism has strengthened its international profile after winning four awards at the 41st Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF 2026) in South Korea, underscoring the country’s efforts to expand its global tourism footprint and attract more international visitors.

The awards were presented during the four-day event held from June 4 to 7 at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center in Seoul, which drew tourism organisations and destinations from around 40 countries.

A key highlight was the 2026 SITF Eminent Tourism Pioneer Award presented to Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, recognising his leadership and contributions to the development and promotion of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. The award was conferred during the SITF Gala Night Gathering attended by international tourism industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders.

According to SITF organisers, the award is granted following an annual evaluation by the SITF Tourism Award Committee, which assesses both academic achievements and industry impact. This year, only six recipients were selected globally, including three international figures. Prof. Ranasinghe became the first Sri Lankan to receive the accolade in the fair’s 41-year history.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) also secured three exhibition-related awards: Best Popular Booth Award, Best Booth Design Award, and Best Performance Award.

The Sri Lanka Pavilion featured cultural displays, interactive visitor experiences and traditional hospitality, attracting significant visitor traffic throughout the exhibition. Its booth design, inspired by Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and the intricate wood carvings of Embekke, was recognised for its presentation of the country’s tourism offerings. Traditional dance and drumming performances showcased at the pavilion also earned praise from visitors and judges, contributing to the Best Performance Award.

The three awards were presented during the SITF 2026 closing ceremony on June 7. Commenting on the recognition, Prof. Ranasinghe said the award reflected both a personal achievement and growing international recognition of Sri Lanka as a tourism destination.