Sri Lanka Tourism has officially endorsed a pioneering project by rights organisation EQUAL GROUND to develop and promote LGBTQI tourism in the country, recognising its potential to diversify tourism markets and position the island as an inclusive destination for all travellers.
In a letter addressed to EQUAL GROUND Executive Director Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam commended the initiative, noting it aligns with the country’s strategic goal of expanding its global tourism footprint. “We recognise the potential of this project to position Sri Lanka as a safe, inclusive, and welcoming destination for all travellers,” the letter stated.
The DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programme includes six key components: stakeholder engagement, training, awareness programmes, employment opportunities, and international promotional linkages. EQUAL GROUND has also been authorised to liaise with tour operators, hotels, training institutes, guides, and drivers to implement DE&I initiatives across the tourism sector.
Sri Lanka Tourism further welcomed EQUAL GROUND’s participation, alongside the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), at international tourism forums, fairs, and LGBTQI travel networks to strengthen the country’s visibility in this growing niche market.
The endorsement also acknowledged EQUAL GROUND’s plans to present the programme to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as well as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, with Sri Lanka Tourism pledging support to facilitate these engagements.
Chairman Hewawasam expressed optimism about the initiative’s impact, stating that collaboration with EQUAL GROUND would contribute significantly to Sri Lanka’s tourism development and economic growth, while highlighting the country as a progressive and welcoming destination for LGBTQI travellers.