Professor · Researcher · Consultant

Prof. D.A.C.
Suranga Silva

Professor in Sustainable Tourism Economics
University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's foremost academic authority in Sustainable Tourism Economics — bridging policy, research, and industry for over three decades to shape responsible tourism futures. And Director of Institute of Human Resource Advancement (IHRA)

Discover His Work Sustainable Education Tourism
80+
Publications
151
Google Scholar Citations
20+
International Keynotes
10+
Countries Visited as Resource Person
Prof. Suranga Silva at a conference

Tourism must be a force for ecological balance, not a threat to it.

About the Professor

The First Professor : Tourism Economics in Sri Lanka

Founding coordinater for Sustainable Tourism Education In Sri Lanka.
From Amsterdam to Colombo, from policy chambers to field research — Prof. Suranga Silva has dedicated over three decades to transforming how Sri Lanka and Asia think about tourism.

Holding a Ph.D. from Vrije University Amsterdam and currently serving as Professor in Tourism Economics at the University of Colombo, he is the architect of Sri Lanka's first Tourism Economics degree programmes and a trusted consultant to the UN, ADB, and USAID.

Policy Expertise
National Tourism Policy, ADB & UNDP Consultancy
Academic Innovation
Founder of Tourism Economics curricula in Sri Lanka
Sustainability Leadership
GSTC Lead Trainer & Sustainable Destination Expert
Industry Bridge
Director General, SLITHM & DG-level leadership roles
Full Biography

Key Areas of Impact

Where Knowledge Meets Action

Decades of evidence-based research translated into real-world transformation across academia, government, and industry.

Sustainable Destination Management

Certified GSTC Lead Trainer. Spearheaded Sri Lanka's first Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management with UNDP and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

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Tourism Economics Education

Introduced Tourism Economics as an academic discipline in Sri Lanka. Established Diploma to Master's level programmes at University of Colombo, now a benchmark for the region.

Academic Profile →

Community-Based Tourism

Pioneered community-based sustainable tourism development in rural Sri Lanka, connecting grassroots initiatives to national policy frameworks for inclusive growth.

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International Conferences & Leadership

President of the International Tourism Leaders' Summit (ITLS) and Chair of the International Tourism Research Conference — uniting academia, industry, and policymakers.

Leadership Roles →

Policy Consulting

Consulted on five-year integrated tourism development plans across multiple provinces. ADB Tourism Education Expert and Resource Person for Sri Lanka's National Tourism Policy.

Work Together →

Global Research Network

Secretary General of the Tourism and Hospitality Educators and Researchers Association of Asia (THERAA) — fostering cross-border academic collaboration across the continent.

Publications →
Sustainable tourism is not a compromise between growth and conservation — it is the only path to both.

— Prof. D.A.C. Suranga Silva

Ready to Collaborate?

Research partnerships, consulting engagements, keynote invitations — let's connect.

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