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The meeting between Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Vijitha Herath took place at the UAE ministry headquarters in Dubai where the officials reviewed opportunities to expand the tourism and investment partnership while strengthening collaboration in the hospitality sector. According to the Emirates News Agency the discussions focused on easing tourist flows between the countries and exchanging expertise to advance hotel operations and related services. Such steps are viewed as central to supporting sustainable economic expansion in both nations through enhanced sector linkages.
Bin Touq described tourism as one of the main channels for deepening economic cooperation between the UAE and Sri Lanka. The UAE welcomed more than 43333 Sri Lankan visitors in the first five months of 2026 after recording 153430 arrivals from the country throughout 2025. Both ministers noted that 107 direct flights operate weekly between their nations underscoring the strength of existing connectivity.
Herath and Bin Touq emphasised the value of mutual investments in tourism hospitality hotels resorts and leisure facilities. They agreed to draw on the established expertise in each country to advance joint projects that would lift sector performance. The talks highlighted how improved cooperation could contribute to long-term growth objectives on both sides.
Bilateral non-oil trade reached 1.1 billion dollars in 2025 representing a 5.2 percent rise from the prior year according to separate remarks by UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. The two governments signed an investment promotion and protection agreement in February 2025 providing a platform for increased capital movement into priority areas. Sri Lanka has positioned tourism alongside ports logistics and renewable energy as attractive fields for Emirati participation.
Sri Lanka introduced free 30-day tourist visas for UAE nationals and citizens of 39 other countries starting in May 2026 the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority announced. Officials there are working to lift the current annual Emirati visitor count which stands at around 5000 through promotion of high-value offerings. The country is marketing its luxury resorts wellness centres and highland destinations to appeal to Gulf travellers seeking varied short-haul experiences.
The September meeting continues momentum from the second UAE-Sri Lanka Joint Commission session held in 2025 that identified tourism infrastructure development as a shared priority according to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The UAE is pursuing its national tourism strategy that targets global leadership in the sector by 2031 through international partnerships. Collaboration with Sri Lanka forms part of broader efforts to exchange best practices in delivering premium hospitality and leisure products.
