World Tourism Day was first observed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in 1980 to show the world the importance of the tourism industry. World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27 every year since then with the sponsorship of each country. This day is set for September 27, the day the United Nations World Tourism Organization and its Charter were established. The theme of the inaugural Tourism Day 1980 was the preservation of cultural heritage and the contribution of the tourism industry to the development of peace and understanding.

Looking at the world today, it is clear that the tourism industry has a direct impact on the world economy. This is a common issue in Sri Lanka as well. The impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on the tourism industry not only in Sri Lanka but in the whole world is immense. Although the tourism industry was hampered by the Covid 19 in 2020, in recent years it has provided much of the foreign exchange. Tourism revenue for August 2019 was $ 269.5 million. However, the Central Bank reports that it earned US $ 376.1 million in revenue in 2018. We all have a responsibility to support the advancement of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry while preserving our heritage and identity.