Sri Lanka has launched a major vocational training program to address the need for over 800,000 trained professionals in the tourism and hospitality sector, a key step toward the Government's goal of attracting 5 million tourists annually by 2030.

The Sri Lanka Tourism and Hotel Management Institute will conduct a six-month NVQ 3-level program called "Hospitality Labor Force."

 To overcome its limited resources, the institute will utilize infrastructure and trainers from accredited public and private sector institutes nationwide.

The first phase will train 20,000 youths from Samurdhi beneficiary families. 

The Cabinet has also approved a proposal to train the remaining 80,000 people through public-private partnerships and co-sponsorships.