Sri Lanka to host Tourism Excellence Awards on 26 January

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) has officially launched the Sri Lanka Tourism Excellence Awards 2026 (SLTEA 2026), a major national initiative dedicated to honouring outstanding performance, innovation, sustainability, and exceptional service across the country’s tourism and hospitality sector.

Driven by the central theme, “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Innovation, and Shaping the Future of Tourism,” the awards programme aims to showcase extraordinary achievements while inspiring industry-wide adherence to sustainable and responsible tourism practices.

Built upon the three pillars of Sustainability, Hospitality, and Excellence, the SLTEA 2026 acknowledges impactful contributions spanning eco-conscious initiatives, authentic guest engagement, cutting-edge digital transformation, and exemplary leadership.

Participation is open to any enterprise registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) that has maintained active operations in Sri Lanka for at least three years. To ensure fair competition, participating entities will be evaluated across six operational scales, ranging from Micro, Small, and medium enterprises to Mid-Large, Large, and Extra-Large establishments.

Applications will undergo a rigorous three-tier evaluation process comprising an initial documentary assessment, comprehensive on-site verifications, and final deliberations by an independent Panel of Judges. Submissions will be appraised across seven core dimensions: Service Excellence; Guest Experience & Product Excellence; Innovation, Digital Transformation & Global Reach; Sustainability & Responsible Tourism; Operational, Financial & Performance Excellence; People, Leadership & Governance; and Industry, Destination & Socio-Economic Impact.

The awards ceremony, scheduled for 26 January 2027, will confer over 70 accolades, including overall gold, silver, and bronze distinctions, alongside criteria-specific and sector-focused honours. Beyond the event, recipients will secure three-year usage rights to the official SLTEA emblem, permanent induction into the virtual Hall of Fame, feature coverage in leading publications, and key opportunities to share best practices across national and international industry platforms.

THASL invites all eligible hospitality and tourism organizations across Sri Lanka to submit their applications, benchmark their achievements against national standards, and join a collective movement driving the future growth and global prestige of Sri Lankan tourism.