Emirates and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) have renewed their strategic partnership to strengthen destination promotion and support further growth in international tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka.

The renewed agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), builds on a partnership established in 2022 and comes as Sri Lanka’s tourism industry continues its recovery and expansion. The country recorded more than 2.3 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, representing a 15.1% increase over the previous year, when arrivals exceeded two million.

Under the renewed partnership, Emirates will leverage its international network covering almost 140 destinations across six continents to promote Sri Lanka in key source markets. Russia, the UK, Germany, Australia and the United States are among the major markets contributing to tourist arrivals by air through the airline’s network.

The two organisations will continue joint marketing campaigns, customised excursions, incentives and familiarisation trips designed to showcase Sri Lanka’s tourism products to travel trade partners, tour operators and potential visitors.

Emirates and SLTPB will also work with industry partners on special packages and other promotional initiatives aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s appeal in key feeder markets.

The Middle East is being positioned as an increasingly important source market, with SLTPB Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam highlighting the region’s potential to generate further growth in arrivals.

He said the renewed partnership would strengthen Sri Lanka’s accessibility and visibility among Middle Eastern travellers while supporting efforts to position the island as a competitive destination.

The agreement was signed at Arabian Travel Market 2026 by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean, and Chamila Jayarathna, Deputy Managing Director of SLTPB.

The partnership also coincides with an expansion of Emirates’ aircraft deployment on the Colombo-Dubai route. The airline introduced its Airbus A350 service to Sri Lanka last year and began operating a second daily A350 service from August, providing passengers with access to its latest-generation aircraft and Premium Economy cabins.

“This reinforces our commitment to delivering enhanced comfort, choice and connectivity for travellers to and from Sri Lanka,” Ahmad said.

Emirates currently operates three non-stop daily flights between Colombo and Dubai, in addition to a daily service via Malé. The services are operated using a combination of Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

The airline operates the Colombo route under flight numbers EK648/649, EK654/655, EK650/651 and EK652/653.

Emirates has served Sri Lanka since April 1986 and has supported the country’s tourism and export sectors through both passenger and cargo operations.

The renewed collaboration is expected to provide Sri Lanka with greater access to Emirates’ global customer and trade network while giving the tourism authorities an additional platform to promote the country’s diverse tourism offering, including its natural attractions, culture and hospitality.