Written by Muhammad Thahir · Sources checked 6 October 2026
Sri Lanka Tourism’s influencer program is run by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). It invites international travel creators on hosted familiarisation tours, then shares their content with audiences in key markets. Recent tours ran in 2024, 2025 and July 2026. We found no public application form as of 6 October 2026.
What is Sri Lanka Tourism’s influencer programme?
The programme is a series of familiarisation tours, often called “fam tours”, for travel bloggers and social media creators. The SLTPB is the government body responsible for promoting Sri Lanka overseas. It selects creators, plans a route across the island and arranges hosting with hotels and tour partners.
The creators then publish their own posts, reels and videos. The aim is to reach travellers in source markets through people they already follow, rather than through paid advertising alone.
It is not a single permanent scheme with fixed intakes. Each tour is announced separately and usually focuses on particular countries.
Recent influencer tours and where they went
Information checked 6 October 2026 against official Sri Lanka Tourism announcements and published reports:
| Dates | Who took part | Places on the route |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Oct – 8 Nov 2024 | 30 influencers from 10 countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Australia and India | Colombo, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Galle, Bentota, Haputale, Udawalawe and more |
| 20–31 Aug 2025 | Four Australian creators | Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, the Ella train, Yala, Pasikuda, Galle Fort and Colombo |
| 6–17 Jul 2026 | Creators mainly from Australia, with one from Indonesia | Negombo, Dambulla, Pasikudah, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Galle and Colombo |
Sources: Sri Lanka Tourism’s announcements of the July 2026 tour and the August 2025 tour, and the Daily FT report on the 2024 tour.
The 2024 tour was supported by hotel groups and inbound tour operator associations. Its organisers expected more than 1,000 blog stories and social posts, according to the Daily FT.
Why Sri Lanka uses influencers
Official announcements describe two goals: to reach large travel audiences quickly and to attract higher-spending, experience-driven visitors. Creator content shows real routes, hotels and activities, which helps viewers picture a trip.
The routes repeat a clear pattern. Ancient sites, Kandy, the hill-country train, a safari and a beach appear on almost every tour. That mix is a useful shortcut for anyone planning a first visit.
Can creators apply to the programme?
We found no open application form on official Sri Lanka Tourism websites as of 6 October 2026. Participants appear to be invited, often through the SLTPB’s overseas promotion work and its industry partners.
If you are a creator who wants to be considered, these steps are realistic:
- Contact the SLTPB through the official Sri Lanka Tourism website with your audience data, main markets and past travel work.
- Show existing Sri Lanka content. A self-funded trip with good results gives tourism bodies and hotels evidence to work with.
- Follow official channels for announcements tied to your country’s market.
- Label any hosted or sponsored content clearly, as advertising rules in your own country require.
Before filming, read the Sri Lanka drone rules and the temple photography etiquette guide. Both cover rules that catch out visiting creators.
What it means if you saw an influencer’s Sri Lanka trip
A fam tour is hosted and tightly scheduled. Creators often cover nine or more destinations in about twelve days, which is fast for a holiday. You can follow the same highlights at a calmer pace.
- Follow the creators’ route with fewer hotel changes in our influencer-inspired itinerary.
- Find the viewpoints from the videos in our guide to Sri Lanka’s most photogenic places.
- Check the season. A route filmed in July puts the east coast in good weather, but the south coast is rainier then.
Want the route without the rush?
Tell us which creator’s trip caught your eye and we will plan a private version that fits your dates.
Influencer programme questions
Who runs Sri Lanka Tourism’s influencer programme?
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau runs it. The bureau is the government body that markets Sri Lanka overseas. It hosts creators on planned tours with support from hotels, tour operators and other partners.
How can influencers apply to Sri Lanka Tourism?
We found no public application form as of 6 October 2026, and participants appear to be invited. Creators can contact the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau through the official website with audience data, target markets and examples of past travel work.
Where do Sri Lanka Tourism influencer tours go?
Recent tours covered Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, the hill-country train to Ella, Yala, Galle and Colombo. They added Pasikudah, Jaffna, Bentota or Nuwara Eliya depending on the year. Routes are announced with each tour.
Can I follow the same route as the influencers?
Yes. Most hosted tours cover many places in about twelve days. A private trip can use the same highlights with fewer hotel changes. Check the season first, because the best coast changes through the year.
Planning your own Sri Lanka trip?
Share your dates, party size and the places you saw online. Use our tailor-made holiday enquiry, or read how to plan a Sri Lanka trip first.
