The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Tourism Knowledge Exchange and Coordination Forum were hosted by Government of Sri Lanka on 2 September 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The forum endorsed the SASEC Tourism Development Framework 2035 that will foster development of tourism destinations and multicountry tourism circuits. The Forum agreed on the list of knowledge works and projects for the Action Plan for SASEC Initiatives (APSI) 2026-2028. The forum also agreed on the scope or terms of reference for prospective knowledge works for regional cooperation, presented best practices implemented regionally in the field of tourism, and discussed prospects and way forward for tourism in the SASEC subregion. Participating officials agreed to meet again shortly to explore possibility of establishment of a Regional Tourism Association.

Mr. T.M.J.W. Thennakoon, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, Govt of Sri Lanka chaired the meeting, while Mr. Nilaya Mitash, Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, SASEC Secretariat, Asian Development Bank (ADB), served as moderator.

The meeting was attended by tourism officials from SASEC countries, as well as staff and consultants from ADB. SASEC countries comprise Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.