Tourism serves as a pivotal economic driver for Sri Lanka, contributing substantially to employment generation, foreign exchange earnings, and regional development. In 2024, the sector constituted approximately 5% of the national GDP, underscoring its integral role in the nation's economic framework. However, this critical contribution faces escalating threats as climate change progressively alters the natural landscapes and ecosystems that form the foundation of Sri Lanka's tourism appeal. Rising global temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events disrupt established seasonal tourism patterns, elevate operational expenditures, and necessitate significant investments in both adaptation and mitigation measures. Sri Lanka's allure as a premier tourist destination is intrinsically linked to its favourable climate and pristine natural environment. Climatic variables, particularly temperature and rainfall, exert considerable influence on visitor preferences, directly affecting the viability of outdoor recreational pursuits and other tourism-related activities.

Against this backdrop, a validation workshop is being held in Colombo to support the development of a more climate-resilient tourism sector. The event aims to facilitate the dissemination and discussion of key findings from a recent study by SLYCAN Trust, which explores the impacts of climate change and current adaptation practices within the Sri Lankan tourism industry. The workshop convenes tourism businesses, policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders to critically review and validate the study's conclusions.