World Tourism Day 2025 at Belihuloya

Infotainment
By Editor_1

From Crying Mountains to Sustainable Futures

By Tourism and Hospitality Alumni of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

A devastating man-made fire recently swept across the Belihuloya Mountains, leaving behind a trail of destruction and threatening one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic landscapes. Early investigations suggest the fire was deliberately fuelled by hunters and land encroachers, highlighting the urgent need for better protection of this fragile ecosystem. Environmentalists caution that such reckless acts not only wipe out unique biodiversity but also undermine years of conservation and eco-tourism initiatives designed to position Belihuloya as a model for sustainable tourism. Authorities have been urged to respond swiftly, strengthen monitoring, and ensure that this irreplaceable natural heritage is preserved for future generations.

As Sri Lanka prepares to mark World Tourism Day (WTD) 2025, declared by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), these incidents serve as a stark reminder that environmental destruction in the central highlands can no longer be tolerated. Belihuloya, located in the Ratnapura District about 150 kilometres southeast of Colombo and nestled at an elevation of 616 metres above sea level, is an enchanting eco-tourism destination. Its diverse geography: lush green mountains, meandering rivers, pristine waterfalls, and fertile valleys, showcases the country’s immense potential for sustainable tourism development.

Tourism, at its core, is an industry of the people, rooted in the use of cultural and natural resources. These resources, whether untouched or enhanced through human innovation, are shared treasures. Therefore, World Tourism Day celebrations should not merely be symbolic; they must actively promote the protection of cultural and environmental heritage while ensuring that tourism creates meaningful opportunities for local communities. The UNWTO’s theme for 2025, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, emphasizes this very point, calling for community engagement, awareness, and a collective shift toward tourism practices that preserve rather than deplete.

In alignment with this global theme and Sri Lanka’s own development priorities, the Tourism and Hospitality Alumni of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka has taken leadership to host this year’s national celebration of World Tourism Day in Belihuloya. The two-day event on
September 25 and 26 seek to create a platform where policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and local communities come together to demonstrate how tourism can be transformed into a vehicle for sustainability, resilience, and inclusive growth.

The Department of Tourism Management of Sabaragamuwa University, a cornerstone of academic excellence within the Faculty of Management Studies, plays a central role in this mission. The Department offers specialized programmes in Tourism Management, Eco-Business Management, and Hospitality Management, as well as graduate-level study opportunities. It is staffed by academics who bring both scholarly expertise and industry experience, preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to face contemporary tourism challenges. By integrating theory with hands-on experience, the Department nurtures graduates who can lead Sri Lanka’s tourism sector toward a more sustainable future.

For the first time, a unique collaboration has emerged where the Tourism and Hospitality Alumni, the Department of Tourism Management, and the Tourism and Hospitality Students’ Association have joined hands to organize World Tourism Day 2025. This tri-partnership symbolizes a strong bond between past graduates, current students, and academics, all working together to give back to their alma mater and to the community of Belihuloya.

The celebrations are being supported by an impressive lineup of public and private stakeholders, reflecting the shared commitment to sustainability. Partners include the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), Belihuloya Hotel Association, Belihuloya Adventure Tourism Association, and numerous other organizations and individuals from both the public and private sectors. This broad coalition ensures that the event goes beyond symbolism and contributes to concrete action.

Key Highlights of the Event (September 25–26, 2025)

  • Guided hike to Baker’s Bend combined with a community clean-up initiative and a traditional village lunch, blending adventure with responsibility.
  • Kayaking at Samanalawewa, showcasing the potential of adventure tourism, followed by a vibrant cultural performance.
  • Stakeholder roundtable discussion on “Sustainable Tourism – The Way Forward,” bringing together policymakers, academics, and industry professionals.
  • Branded awareness walk from Belihuloya to Sabaragamuwa University, promoting community engagement and environmental consciousness.
  • Main celebrations at the University with knowledge-sharing sessions led by professionals, students, and community members.
  • Cultural and entertainment programs, highlighting the unique identity and traditions of the region.

The celebrations will be attended by national and regional political leaders, the Vice-Chancellor, university academics and administrators, regional officers, tourism professionals, alumni members, students, and well-wishers. Their collective presence underscores the significance of World Tourism Day not only as a symbolic occasion but also as a national call for action on sustainable tourism.

As the event draws near, the organizers extend a warm invitation to professionals in the Sri Lankan tourism industry, government representatives, development organizations, students, and travellers to join the celebrations in Belihuloya on September 25 and 26. Together, we can showcase how sustainable tourism practices can generate lasting economic benefits while safeguarding Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural treasures for future generations.

The Belihuloya celebrations are expected to set an example of how academic institutions, alumni, communities, and government agencies can collaborate to transform tourism into a sustainable engine of development. In the wake of recent environmental challenges, the event also serves as a reminder of the urgent responsibility shared by all Sri Lankans to protect the nation’s ecosystems.

For more information about the World Tourism Day 2025 celebrations in Belihuloya, please contact: Prof. Manoj Samarathunga President, Tourism and Hospitality Alumni of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
Tel: 0718134115 | Email: thmalumni@mgt.sab.ac.lk

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