Sri Lanka Tourism has recognised 12 winners from the 2026 Tourism Start-Up Competition, held as part of the National Celebration of World Tourism Day.
The competition focused on AI-driven innovation for tourism and received 52 applications from young entrepreneurs and tourism innovators.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) held the World Tourism Day celebration at the Taj Samudra, Colombo, on September 25.
This year’s global theme was “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
52 Applications Received for Tourism Start-Up Competition
The Tourism Start-Up Competition 2026 had two categories: Tertiary Level and Commercial Level.
After an evaluation process, 25 applications reached the final stage.
Finalists presented their AI-powered tourism solutions to an expert panel.
The competition then selected six winners from each category, giving a total of 12 winners.
The winners were recognised at the World Tourism Day event.
AI Takes a Bigger Role in Tourism
The event focused on how digital technology and Artificial Intelligence can support tourism businesses and improve visitor experiences.
SLTDA said the sector needs greater collaboration between government, private companies, universities and technology communities.
The programme also highlighted areas such as destination management, service delivery and personalised visitor experiences.
According to SLTDA, greater use of digital technology can help tourism stakeholders develop new products and services.
The Tourism Start-Up Competition is part of efforts to encourage young entrepreneurs and new technology-based ideas within the tourism sector.
Last modified: September 27, 2026
