The Indian Ocean Divers Association (IODA) has officially announced that the IODA Ocean Summit 2025 will be held on June 7, 2025, at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo. This significant gathering is poised to bolster Sri Lanka’s adventure and marine tourism sectors, fostering collaboration and opening new business avenues across the Indian Ocean region.
The announcement was made this afternoon by Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of both the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). Mr. Hewawasam emphasized the summit’s crucial role in enhancing tourism and business prospects through the annual collaboration among diving communities from India, Sri Lanka, South Asia, and the broader Indian Ocean.
The event is being organized in partnership with the Chamber of Marine Industries in Sri Lanka (CMISL). Mr. Indira Kaushal Rajapaksa, President of CMISL, highlighted the concerted efforts of the Marine Chamber and the Tourism Board in advancing marine tourism in the region.
Mr. Suraj Khan, Secretary General of IODA, confirmed the early commitment of several prominent Indian dive clubs to attend the summit. He expressed gratitude for the support from CMISL and all participating partners, underscoring the invaluable contributions of these experienced operators to the industry.
The IODA Ocean Summit 2025 will kick off at 10:00 AM on June 7th and will feature a comprehensive program throughout the day, including insightful keynote speeches, engaging panel discussions, and crucial business-to-business (B2B) networking sessions.
Mr. Shan Perera, Chairman of Events at CMISL, extended a warm invitation to all Sri Lankan diving stakeholders, including adventure tourism operators, beach hotels, and resorts with an interest in dive tourism, to participate in this landmark event. The summit is anticipated to be a pivotal gathering for marine tourism stakeholders throughout the Indian Ocean region.
