The Chairman of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Authority, Buddhika Hewawasam, has emphasized the importance of cooperation over competition between Sri Lanka and the Maldives in advancing the region’s tourism sector.

Speaking at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2025, which concluded in Sri Lanka yesterday, Hewawasam urged South Asian nations to work collaboratively in utilizing the region’s tourism potential.

Referring specifically to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, he stressed that cooperation rather than rivalry would bring long-term benefits to both destinations.

Echoing this sentiment, Abdulla Giyas, Chairman of Visit Maldives Corporation, also called for an end to the perception of competition between the two countries’ tourism industries.

Representing the Maldives at the ceremony, Giyas highlighted the historic ties between the two nations and underlined the need for joint initiatives to strengthen tourism.

He further noted that Asia is emerging as a powerful force in the global economy, urging both countries to take practical steps to benefit from this shift.

Sri Lanka already plays a vital role in Maldivian tourism, with SriLankan Airlines being the longest-serving international airline operating flights to the Maldives.

Colombo also remains one of the key transit hubs for tourists traveling to Malé.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka continues to be a popular destination for Maldivians, with many traveling there each month for leisure, healthcare, and business purposes.

Officials from both countries reiterated that closer cooperation could significantly strengthen the tourism sector across the region, paving the way for shared prosperity.