Sri Lanka Tourism appoints Circul8 as first Australian creative agency alongside GTI

Independent creative agency Circul8 has been appointed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) as its first creative agency in Australia, following a competitive tender process.

The appointment comes amid growing interest in Sri Lanka from Australian travellers. More than 32,000 Australians visited Sri Lanka in the first three months of 2026, an increase of 18.3% year-on-year, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. In March alone, Australian visitation increased 24.2% compared with the same month in 2025.

Circul8 will lead a new six-month Australian campaign designed to build awareness and consideration of Sri Lanka and inspire more Australians to visit. The agency will partner with GTI Tourism, who will lead public relations and the travel trade program.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam said Australia represented an important opportunity for the destination as Sri Lanka continues to grow international visitation: “Australia is an important market for Sri Lanka, and the strong growth we are seeing in Australian visitors demonstrates the increasing appetite to discover our country.

“Sri Lanka offers Australian travellers an incredible diversity of experiences – from our culture, wildlife and natural landscapes to our beaches, cuisine, wellness and warm hospitality. Through this new partnership with Circul8 and GTI, we look forward to building on this momentum, strengthening Sri Lanka’s presence in the Australian market and inspiring even more Australians to experience our island.”

Circul8 Founder and Managing Director Alana Stocks said her own time in Sri Lanka over the past year had reinforced the opportunity she sees for the destination in Australia: “I’ve spent some time in Sri Lanka over the past 12 months and every time I go back, I discover something new. You can be on safari seeing elephants one day, travelling through tea country the next and then be on an incredible beach eating fresh seafood. Add the spices, the history, wellness, adventure and genuinely warm people and there’s a lot for Australians to fall in love with.

“For us, the opportunity is to take all of that and find the stories that will really connect with Australian travellers and give them a reason to put Sri Lanka on their list. It’s a privilege to be Sri Lanka Tourism’s first Australian creative agency, and we’re excited to be working alongside GTI Tourism to help grow the destination here.”

GTI Founder and Managing Director, Sarah Anderson, said Sri Lanka has huge potential for growth from the Australian market: “Sri Lanka is easier to access than ever before from Australia with Jetstar now flying non-stop from Melbourne, in addition to SriLankan Airlines’ non-stop services from Sydney and Melbourne.

“We are delighted to help Australians learn about and discover this beautiful destination. We will be hosting a series of trade events as well as media and creator trips, all designed to share stories of Sri Lanka and its culture, food, history and people.”

The partnership expands Circul8’s growing international destination portfolio and builds on more than two decades of experience in tourism brand and marketing, including work with Tahiti Tourisme, Japan National Tourism Organization, Tourism Fiji, Singapore Changi Airport, Macau Tourism Office, Marianas Visitors Authority, The Streets of Barangaroo, The Entertainment Quarter and Sydney Opera House.

The Australian campaign commences in October 2026 and will run for six months.

Pictured (L-R): Phil Watson (Creative Strategy Partner, Circul8), Julie Floyd (Head of Production, Circul8), Jessica Cory (Account Director, GTI), Abbey Sands (Client Service Director, GTI).

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