Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

What Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority does

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is a statutory government authority established in 2007 under the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005, operating under the Ministry of Tourism and Land of the Government of Sri Lanka. It holds the exclusive mandate for planning, development, regulation, licensing, and policy implementation of the tourism industry, and administers the Tourism Development Levy (TDL) — a statutory 1% levy on the turnover of every institution licensed under the Tourism Development Act No. 14 of 1968 (0.5% for institutions below LKR 12 million annual turnover). Its primary stakeholders are licensed tourism establishments (hotels, guesthouses, travel agents, tour guides, restaurants, water sports centers), domestic and foreign tourism investors, international inbound tourists, and Sri Lankan domestic travelers.

SLTDA's service portfolio comprises core regulatory systems (Tourism Development Levy administration, establishment licensing, Tourism Fuel QR allocation system at tourismfuel.sltda.gov.lk), digital infrastructure (TDL Appointment Token System at appointments.sltda.gov.lk, GovPay-integrated digital payments via 14 banks and 6 FinTech apps, Sri Lanka Tourism Investment Gateway/Land Bank at landbank.sltda.gov.lk, sustainability self-assessment portal at sltda.solidaridadasia.com, and a CPD e-learning platform for registered tourist guides), flagship policy initiatives (Marine Tourism Roadmap launched April 2025 with ADB support, National Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme with UNDP since 2018, Design Guideline for Tourist Accommodation Facilities, Sri Lanka Tourism Strategic Plan 2022–2025), and a hospitality portfolio of National Holiday Resorts at Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, Anuradhapura, and Kataragama. SLTDA is the 134th institution onboarded to the national GovPay digital payment platform.

SLTDA's revenue model is anchored on the Tourism Development Levy (transaction-based, collected quarterly), supplemented by licensing and renewal fees, investment processing fees routed through the Investor Relations Unit, and co-developed partner revenue from the Adventure Plus tourist insurance product (US$8 per person for 30 days, distributed via airport counters in partnership with SLIC GI). Distribution channels include direct self-service portals, the IRU for enterprise investor engagement, bank/FinTech payment rails via GovPay, and physical resort and head-office touchpoints at No. 80, Galle Road, Colombo 03. SLTDA coordinates investment approvals across 43 government agencies and has reduced project approval time by up to 40%.

Name

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

Legal name

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

Website

https://sltda.gov.lk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

SLTDA is the statutory government authority of Sri Lanka, exclusively responsible for tourism planning, licensing, regulation, and policy implementation, administering the Tourism Development Levy and serving licensed tourism establishments, investors, and inbound tourists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tourism Development Levy (TDL): A statutory levy of 1% on annual turnover (or 0.5% for institutions with annual turnover ≤ LKR 12 million or quarterly turnover ≤ LKR 3 million, effective 1 January 2019) levied on every institution licensed under the Tourism Development Act No. 14 of 1968, including tourist hotels, travel agents, and tourist shops. Payments are collected quarterly and payable via BOC Corporate Branch bank transfer (Account Name: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, A/C No: 73104820) or digitally via the GovPay platform through 14 banks and 6 FinTech apps.
2. Tourism Establishment Licensing and Renewal Fees: Registration, licensing, and renewal fees for tourist establishments including hotels, guesthouses, travel agents, tour guides, restaurants, water sports centers, etc., documented in the Payment Structure for Tourist Establishments published by SLTDA.
3. Adventure Plus Insurance Partnership (co-developed with SLIC GI): Co-branded personal accident insurance plan for tourists priced at US$8 per person for 30 days, distributed through airport counters, developed jointly with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited to strengthen the national tourism industry.
4. Tourism Investment Processing Fees: Processing fees applicable to SLTDA, Urban Development Authority, Central Environmental Authority, and Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department collected by SLTDA on behalf of these agencies when investors route projects through the SLTDA-IRU approval process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is the statutory government authority that plans, develops, regulates, and implements policy for Sri Lanka's tourism industry. It licenses all tourism establishments under the Tourism Development Act No. 14 of 1968, administers the Tourism Development Levy (1% of turnover, 0.5% for small institutions), operates the Investor Relations Unit for tourism project approvals, runs the National Sustainable Tourism/Destination Certification scheme, and owns four National Holiday Resorts. SLTDA also co-developed the Adventure Plus tourist insurance product and partnered with ADB on the Marine Tourism Roadmap.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tourism Development Levy (TDL) System Government levy administered under Part 1 of the Finance Act No. 25 of 2003, charged on the turnover of every institution licensed under the Tourism Development Act No. 14 of 1968. Standard rate of 1%; 0.5% rate for institutions with annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 12 million or quarterly turnover not exceeding Rs. 3 million (from January 1, 2019). Payments accepted via GovPay integration.
• SLTDA Licensing and Registration System Mandatory registration and renewal system for tourism establishments including hotels, guest houses, boutique villas, travel agents, tour guides, restaurants, tourist shops, water sports centers, adventure tourism operators, and many other categories. Renewal cycles and categories are documented with gazette references.
• Tourism Fuel QR Allocation System Online QR-based fuel quota allocation system for valid SLTDA license holders (2025 and 2026). Provides weekly QR codes for vehicles and generators; coordinated with CEYPETCO and designated tourism fuel stations across regions.
• SLTDA TDL Appointment Token System Online appointment and token booking portal for SLTDA TDL clearance visits. Uses OTP-based authentication with SLTDA-registered email and mobile number; integrated with the licensing portal for mandatory document upload prior to appointment.
• SLTDA E-Learning Platform for Tourist Guides Continuous Professional Development (CPD) e-learning platform for SLTDA-registered tourist guides, developed in collaboration with Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM). Online courses with certificates of completion jointly issued by SLTDA and SLITHM.
• National Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme (NSTCS / NSTC) Voluntary certification scheme for sustainable tourism businesses in Sri Lanka, established with UNDP technical and financial assistance (since 2018 MoU). Aligned with GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) industry and destination criteria. Initial scope covers the accommodation sector; SME sector participation extended with online self-assessment portal at sltda.solidaridadasia.com.
• National Sustainable Destination Certification (NSDC) Destination-level certification scheme, the 2nd phase of the National Sustainable Tourism Initiative, implemented across 9 provinces (Delft Island, Mihinthale, Gangeewadiya, Sigiriya, Ellawala Falls, Pilikuththuwa, Panama Community Village, Wavulpane Lime Cave, Maadungala/Walawa). Focuses on environmental conservation, single-use plastic prevention, waste management, crowd control, and community involvement.
• Investor Relations Unit (IRU) and Land Bank Service Centralized one-stop facilitation center assisting tourism investors with project approvals, building plan approvals, Board of Investment coordination, visa recommendations, and construction monitoring. Supports EOI (Expression of Interest) submissions for SLTDA-owned lands via the Sri Lanka Tourism Investment Gateway Land Bank (landbank.sltda.gov.lk).
• National Holiday Resorts Owned and managed domestic resorts at Nuwara Eliya (Gregory Lake), Bandarawela, Anuradhapura, Kataragama/Katharagama, Pasikudah and Giritale. Provide accommodation facilities (cottages, double rooms, dormitories, restaurants) targeting domestic tourists and pilgrims. Currently undergoing phased renovation and refurbishment.
• Adventure Plus (Tourist Personal Accident Cover) Personal accident insurance plan designed for tourists visiting Sri Lanka, developed in partnership with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited (SLIC GI). Covers medical emergencies, accidents, and evacuation during adventure activities including trekking, water sports, and jungle activities. Priced at US$8 per person for 30 days.

Quantifiable outcome

• Project approval time reduced by up to 40% through Investor Relations Unit
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• LankaPayflagshipTechnology or Integration · 17 September 2025LankaPay operates the GovPay digital payment platform that SLTDA integrated with on 17 September 2025. GovPay, backed by ICTA and the Ministry of Digital Economy, facilitates Tourism Development Levy payments and license renewals via 14 banks and 6 FinTech apps. LankaPay ensures transaction security and reliability.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerADB is providing technical assistance under program TA9881 SRI: Supporting Tourism Resilience, supporting the development of Sri Lanka's Marine Tourism Roadmap launched 10 April 2025. ADB appointed international consultant Aleksandra Dragozet (CEO & Founder - Sea Going Green) guided the strategy. ADB confirmed interest in supporting a pilot project in Passikudah. ADB Country Director Mr. Takafumi Kadono participated in the launch.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri LankaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNDP has provided technical and financial assistance to SLTDA since 2018 via an MoU for the National Sustainable Tourism Certification (NSTC) scheme — first National Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme launched 2019 awarding 37 accommodation providers; National Sustainable Destination Certification (NSDC) initiated as 2nd phase across 9 provinces in 9 provinces. UNDP also partnered through the BIOFIN project. UN SDGs framework underpinning the certification.
• Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited (SLIC GI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed Adventure Plus, a personal accident insurance plan specifically designed for tourists visiting Sri Lanka, covering medical emergencies, accidents, and evacuation during adventure activities such as trekking, water sports, and jungle activities. Priced at US$8 per person for 30 days; distributed through airport counters upon tourist arrival.
• Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationICTA co-developed the GovPay digital payment platform (with LankaPay) under the Ministry of Digital Economy. SLTDA became the 134th government institution onboarded to GovPay on 17 September 2025. ICTA Board Director Mr. Harsha Purasinghe participated in the launch.
• Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSLTDA and SLITHM jointly developed and operate the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) e-learning platform for all SLTDA-registered tourist guides. Certificates of completion co-issued by SLTDA and SLITHM. Launched in July 2021.
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSLTDA provides guidance to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (www.srilanka.travel) to develop, promote, and market Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. The Promotion Bureau organized the media networking event in Dhaka (April 2026) to enhance Bangladesh-Sri Lanka tourism cooperation.
• CEYPETCO (Ceylon Petroleum Corporation)coreOthersCEYPETCO agreed to honor the printed QR letter issued by the SLTDA Tourism Fuel QR system and retain it for reconciliation records. Designated fuel stations are listed on the SLTDA website.
• Chamber of Commerce (Sri Lanka) / Ceylon Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry Partner Association linked from SLTDA website. Co-organizer of the Sri Lanka Economic Summit where Intrepid Travel MD Natalie Kidd highlighted Sri Lanka's sustainability imperatives.
• Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry Partner Association linked from SLTDA website representing inbound tour operators in Sri Lanka.
• Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka (ASMET)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry Partner Association linked from SLTDA website representing SMEs in tourism.
• Chamber of Tourism & Industry - Sri LankaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry Partner Association linked from SLTDA website.
• Intrepid Travel Asia-AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntrepid Travel is a key inbound tour operator partner for Sri Lanka; Managing Director Natalie Kidd publicly advocated for sustainable destination management at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Sri Lanka broke into the company's global top 10 destinations for the first time, with arrivals doubling in 2024 and growing a further 50% each in 2025 and 2026.
• Kuoni, Travelpack, Transindus, Experience Travel GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK and international tour operators reporting minimal disruptions to client trips following Cyclone Ditwah floods. The UK market is identified as key to Sri Lanka's tourism recovery.
• Sea Going Green (Aleksandra Dragozet)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAleksandra Dragozet (CEO & Founder of Sea Going Green) served as ADB's appointed international consultant for the Marine Tourism Roadmap, ensuring alignment with global best practices for sustainable tourism.
• 43 Government Agencies (UDA, CEA, Coast Conservation, Forest Dept, Wildlife Dept, Irrigation, etc.)flagshipOthersSLTDA's Investor Relations Unit collaborates with 43 government agencies to obtain approvals for tourism projects and address approval process challenges. Key agencies include Urban Development Authority (UDA), Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Coast Conservation Department, Forest Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Department of Irrigation, and Mahawali Authority.
• USAID PARTNER Project and USAID Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAID PARTNER and USAID CCA projects participated in the consultation session for SLTDA's Design Guideline for Tourist Accommodation Facilities, along with Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, Green Building Council, Urban Development Authority, Institute of Town Planners, City School of Architecture, and SLIIT Architecture Faculty.
• Department of Immigration and Emigration (Sri Lanka)coreOthersGovernment of Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration — linked as Related Link from SLTDA website. Manages visa-free entry for citizens of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan.
• Ministry of Tourism and Land (Sri Lanka) / Ministry of FinanceflagshipOthersSLTDA operates under the Ministry of Tourism and Land; Ministry of Tourism in consultation with Ministry of Finance introduced the Tourism Development Levy in September 2003 under Part 1 of Finance Act No. 25 of 2003.
• Sri Lanka Tourism PolicecoreOthersSri Lanka Tourism Police located at the same address as SLTDA HQ (80, Galle Road, Colombo 03). Provides tourist safety and security; co-located with SLTDA for visitor convenience.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tourism New Zealand: Crown entity tasked with marketing New Zealand as a destination and supporting industry development. Comparable in 100% Pure campaigns, sustainability certification (Qualmark), and target-market concentration in long-haul source markets like the UK and India.
• Tourism Malaysia: Government agency under Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture responsible for tourism promotion and policy. Directly comparable in statutory mandate, regional destination positioning, and Muslim-friendly and eco-tourism niche development.
• Singapore Tourism Board (STB): Statutory board under Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry for tourism development, regulation, and industry partnerships. Comparable in mandate and use of digital platforms for operator licensing and levy collection, and in cultivating niche segments (MICE, cruise, wellness).
• Indonesia Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy: Government body responsible for Indonesian tourism development, regulation, and '10 New Bali' strategy. Comparable in promoting niche segments (marine, MICE, wellness), managing sustainability certification, and operating a Tourism Fund/levy mechanism.
• Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC): Government-owned corporation promoting Maldives tourism. Closest Indian Ocean peer to SLTDA, with similar climate vulnerability, single-source-market dependencies, and reliance on resort licensing and tourism Goods & Services Tax collections.
• Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT): National government agency overseeing tourism planning, regulation, and promotion for the Philippines. Analogous in role of licensing tourism establishments, destination certification, and overseas marketing, with a similar island-archipelago geography.
• Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): Statutory national tourism authority promoting, regulating, and developing Thailand's tourism sector. TAT is structurally analogous to SLTDA in mandate (destination marketing plus policy/regulation), with similar single-window investor facilitation and overseas promotion offices.

Regional players

• Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA): Statutory body promoting Mauritius as a tourism destination in the Indian Ocean. Comparable in island geography, climate vulnerability, sustainability/blue economy positioning, and target markets overlapping India and Europe.

Broad incumbents

• VisitBritain: UK government's national tourism agency operating under DCMS. Comparable in promoting a multi-region destination, running GREAT Britain campaigns, and managing industry partnerships (Kuoni, Travelpack, Transindus cited as key partners in SLTDA's UK recovery strategy).
• Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO): Government-affiliated organization promoting tourism to Japan. Comparable in digital portal strategy (srilanka.travel mirrors JNTO's japan.travel), visa-facilitation focus, and managing inbound flows from India and Southeast Asian markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sltda_srilanka
• Facebookfacebook.com/sltda.gov.lk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sri-lanka-tourism-development-authority

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority