UAE and Sri Lanka explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in tourism and hospitality during the next phase

Total number of Sri Lankan visitors to the UAE reached 153,430 last year, facilitated by 107 weekly direct flights between the two countries

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, held a bilateral meeting with Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, today at the Ministry’s headquarters in Dubai. The meeting explored opportunities to expand tourism and investment partnerships between the two countries and strengthen cooperation in tourism and hospitality, including facilitating tourism flows and the exchange of expertise in hospitality services and hotel operations. These efforts contribute to enhancing the role of these sectors in driving sustainable economic growth in both countries.

During the meeting, H.E. highlighted that the UAE remains committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Sri Lanka across various economic, investment and tourism fields, supporting greater cooperation in vital sectors that are priorities on both countries’ development agendas.

H.E. said: “Tourism is one of the key sectors of economic cooperation between the two countries. The UAE welcomed more than 43,333 Sri Lankan visitors during the first five months of 2026, while the number of Sri Lankan visitors to the country reached 153,430 in 2025. The number of direct flights between both countries reached 107 per week, underscoring the UAE’s standing as an outstanding tourism destination and reflecting the vitality of travel and connectivity between the two friendly nations. This also supports the objectives of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to position the country as the best tourism identity in the world by the next decade.”

H.E. Bin Touq briefed his Sri Lankan counterpart on the UAE’s vision for developing the tourism, travel, hospitality and aviation sectors, and its focus on innovation and sustainability in delivering tourism services to visitors from around the world. H.E. also highlighted efforts to expand tourism partnerships with key regional and global markets, as well as the UAE’s continued development of tourism infrastructure, ports and airports in line with highest global standards.

Furthermore, H.E. Bin Touq reviewed the most promising investment opportunities in the UAE’s tourism sector and the country’s attractive investment environment that encourages the growth of tourism investments, along with its world-class tourism assets. H.E. emphasised the importance of expanding mutual investments in tourism, hospitality, hotels, resorts and entertainment activities, and leveraging the expertise and successful experiences of both sides to support the development of tourism projects and the sustainable growth of this vital sector in both markets.