Nalaka Amaratunga, Chief Executive Officer of Walkers Tours Ltd., has been elected Vice President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) for the term 2026/2027. He was elected at the Association’s Annual General Meeting, held recently at Cinnamon Life Colombo.
Amaratunga takes up the role at a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka’s inbound tourism sector. The industry is consolidating its post-recovery growth and positioning the island for higher-value, more sustainable visitor arrivals. He has served on the SLAITO Executive Committee for several years, and brings to the Vice Presidency 12 years of experience in destination management, tour operations and international trade relations, along with a strong working relationship with global partners across Sri Lanka’s key source markets.
Speaking on his appointment, Amaratunga said: “This comes at an important time for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. We have an opportunity to move beyond recovery and build a sector that delivers greater value to the country, rewarding experiences for our visitors and meaningful benefits for communities across the island. I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to strengthen destination marketing, develop skills within the industry and promote responsible tourism practices.”
At Walkers Tours, one of Sri Lanka’s longest-established destination management companies, Amaratunga has been instrumental in strengthening and diversifying the company’s product offerings. This includes the development of curated accessible travel experiences for determined travellers through Ayu, bespoke luxury journeys through ArTravele, and adventure and nature-based experiences through Nature Odyssey. The company’s latest addition, Walkers Sports, was introduced to further promote sports tourism in Sri Lanka. Together, these brands reflect Walkers Tours’ continued focus on inclusivity, innovation and the development of high-value, experience-led tourism.