Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has long been a cornerstone of the national economy, attracting millions of visitors annually with its breathtaking natural beauty, cultural richness, beautiful beaches and world-renowned hospitality. As an industry, it plays an important role in our country’s economy and identified as the only thrust industry earning the much-needed foreign exchange to tide over the current foreign reserve problem while at the same time generating many job opportunities for young people across the island. As the industry grows, there is a big demand for skilled and educated people who can work in travel, hotel, and tourism services.
Recognizing this demand, the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) offers the Diploma in Tourism Operations which is a comprehensive, flexible, and industry-relevant program designed to shape the next generation of tourism professionals. This program, conducted under the Department of Social Studies of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, is delivered through the university’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) methodology, and the use of online facilities, allowing students across the island to pursue their studies while balancing work and personal responsibilities. Whether you are a recent school leaver, a person already working in the field, or someone planning a career change, this diploma provides an excellent foundation.
Tourism is more than just travel and leisure, it is a powerful socio-economic and cultural activity that impacts both visitors and local communities. It connects people, cultures, and economies in meaningful ways. Tourism draws knowledge from many academic fields, such as economics, sociology, psychology, geography, management, and anthropology.
Instead of belonging to a single discipline, it is a broad area of study that helps students understand how tourism works and how it affects the world around us. In the Diploma in Tourism Operations offered by the Open University of Sri Lanka, these subjects are introduced as core areas to help students understand and promote sustainable tourism development.
Rather than focusing solely on academic theory, the diploma emphasizes the development of practical knowledge and essential skills required by the tourism industry. Students are introduced to key areas such as tourism development and planning, travel coordination, customer service, and hospitality operations.
The program also helps learners build soft skills such as communication, cultural awareness, service excellence, and business etiquette and qualities thatare highly valued by employers both in Sri Lanka and abroad. One of the program’s strengths is its flexibility, allowing students to explore specialized areas such as hotel operations or travel and tour management, depending on their interests. This approach enables them to align their academic learning with real-world career pathways.
Graduates of the Diploma in Tourism Operations are well-positioned to pursue a wide range of job opportunities within Sri Lanka and internationally. The program prepares students for careers in hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel agencies, tour companies, airlines, event management firms, and government tourism bodies.
Common roles include travel consultant, tour coordinator, customer service executive, front office supervisor, food and beverage coordinator, airline ticketing officer, etc. These options give students the chance to gain skills in the area they prefer and prepare them for specific jobs in the industry. The diploma also creates a clear academic pathway for those who wish to pursue further studies and research at degree or professional level in tourism, hospitality, event management, or related fields.
If you are interested in being a part of this dynamic industry, applications are now open for the fifth intake of the Diploma in Tourism Operations. The closing date is 31st August 2025. You can visit https://reginfo.ou.ac.lk/applyonline/ or contact us on 0112881427 for more information.
Tourism is an exciting and fast-growing industry. If you dream of working with people, exploring new places, and building a successful career, this diploma is a great place to start. Join the Open University of Sri Lanka and take your first step into the world of tourism.
E. H. Nawanjalee
Lecturer – Tourism Studies Department of Social Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
The Open University of Sri Lanka
