Sri Lanka’s premier hospitality leadership forum to convene 200+ senior industry leaders at Cinnamon Grand Colombo on 29 September 2026
After five years of navigating global turbulence, Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector is moving beyond recovery. To secure long-term competitiveness, the Institute of Hospitality (IOH) Sri Lanka Chapter is launching the International Hospitality Leaders Conference (IHLC) 2026 – a leadership forum designed to produce a definitive, industry-wide roadmap for 2030. Backed by IOH UK’s global network and more than 80 years of international standing, the conference brings a calibre of expertise and worldwide perspective unmatched by any other hospitality event in Sri Lanka.
The industry now faces a critical inflection point: how does Sri Lanka position itself for long-term competitiveness in an era of digital disruption, shifting traveller expectations, and complex global sustainability requirements?
“Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry has successfully navigated some of the most challenging years in its history. As we move beyond recovery, the conversation must shift – from resilience to long-term performance,” said Refhan Razeen, Conference Chairman, IHLC 2026 and General Manager of Shangri-La Hambantota. “Vision 2030 is about ensuring that our industry remains globally competitive, commercially resilient, and prepared for the future. The International Hospitality Leaders Conference has been created to bring together the leaders who will help shape that future.”
A Commitment-Driven Platform
The International Hospitality Leaders Conference 2026 is not designed as a standard conference and networking event. It is a strategic leadership platform where senior decision-makers will explore the priorities that will define the country’s industry performance. Convened under the global banner of the Institute of Hospitality, and featuring internationally recognised industry leaders on its speaker roster, IHLC 2026 stands as the only event of its kind in Sri Lanka — one that places the nation’s hospitality sector firmly on the world stage. The forum is built to produce commitments, not just conversations, and will culminate in the Vision 2030 Whitepaper—the sector’s first collective industry roadmap for the years ahead.
Who Should Attend
The conference will convene more than 200 senior industry leaders, including:
- Strategic Decision-Makers: Hotel owners, developers, and General Managers.
- Commercial & Operational Leaders: Experts in revenue, sales, and guest experience.
- Policy & Education: Tourism policymakers, investors, and academic leaders shaping the next generation of talent.
Strategic Pillars of Dialogue
The programme will address six core pillars, each structured to produce actionable positions:
- Future-ready leadership and governance
- Commercial strategy and business performance
- Innovation and digital transformation
- Sustainability and responsible tourism
- Talent development and workforce readiness
- Destination competitiveness and global positioning
Registration & Partnership
Attendance is through paid registration at LKR 25,000 per delegate. Organizations interested in partnering with this national initiative are invited to explore tiered sponsorship opportunities, which offer brand visibility, direct engagement with senior decision-makers, and legacy credit in the Vision 2030 Whitepaper.
For more information, programme announcements, and registration, please write to conference@ihsrilanka.com or contact 077 599 1575.
Media contact: Pramukshi Kariyawasam, MIH – PR, Marketing & Communications Lead, IHLC 2026 | Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka Chapter | pramukshi@wyld.global | 77 236 0412
