PickMe on Wednesday launched Colombo Connect, the first city-wide destination to be introduced under its newly unveiled PickMe Explore platform, a national digital ecosystem designed to connect attractions, experiences, events and communities through a single technology platform.
The initiative was launched at Colombo Lotus Tower, with Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof attending as Chief Guest. Also in attendance were Digital Economy Ministry Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Colombo Lotus Tower Chairman Shirantha Peries, travel writer, photojournalist and author Juliet Coombe, along with several other distinguished guests and members of the management teams of PickMe and Colombo Lotus Tower.
A partnership with Colombo Lotus Tower, the first destination to join the Colombo Connect ecosystem, the initiative aims to transform how residents and visitors experience the capital by digitally linking attractions, restaurants, entertainment, retail, culture and mobility into one seamless journey. The company estimates that once fully developed, the ecosystem could generate more than Rs. 30 billion annually in economic activity by encouraging visitors to discover more of Colombo and spend more time in the city.
PickMe CEO Jiffry Zulfer said: “Colombo already has everything it needs to become one of South Asia’s most exciting urban destinations. What has been missing is a platform that brings those experiences together. Today, attractions promote themselves. Restaurants promote themselves. Museums, events and entertainment venues all operate independently. Colombo Connect changes that by helping present the city as one connected destination where every discovery leads to another.”
Alongside Colombo Connect, PickMe announced that PickMe Events, its digital event discovery and ticketing platform, will now operate as PickMe Explore. The new identity reflects an expanded vision that extends beyond events to bring together destinations, attractions, experiences and communities through a single digital platform.
Designed as a national platform, PickMe Explore will bring together destinations, attractions, experiences and communities across Sri Lanka through a single digital interface. Colombo Connect becomes its first city-wide destination, demonstrating how technology can help entire cities become more discoverable while creating greater economic opportunities for local businesses.
Through PickMe Explore, users will be able to discover curated experiences, purchase attraction tickets, access exclusive offers, and explore destinations through one seamless platform.
As the first partner under Colombo Connect, Colombo Lotus Tower becomes the platform’s first digital gateway.
Visitors can now purchase tickets to the tower through PickMe Explore, gain access using QR-enabled entry and begin their Colombo Connect journey from one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Initial offerings include admission to the Observation Deck and Pixel Bloom, South Asia’s first immersive and interactive digital art museum, with additional attractions and experiences expected to join the ecosystem over time.
Colombo Connect has been designed to encourage visitors to spend more time exploring the capital before travelling to other parts of Sri Lanka, creating wider economic benefits across tourism, hospitality, retail, entertainment and transport. Tourism stakeholders have long observed that many international visitors arrive in Colombo only to leave within hours for beach resorts, wildlife destinations or the hill country, limiting the city’s economic potential despite its growing hospitality, entertainment and cultural offerings.
“If visitors spend even one additional day discovering Colombo, the impact extends far beyond tourism,” the CEO said. “Every extra stop supports another restaurant, attraction, retailer, hotel, transport provider or entrepreneur. That is how connected cities create shared economic growth.”
The company estimates that transactions generated across transport, ticketing, hospitality, retail, entertainment and other connected services could exceed Rs. 30 billion annually once the ecosystem reaches maturity.
Today, people’s first interaction with a city is increasingly through their smartphone. They discover places, book experiences, make payments and navigate their journeys digitally. Colombo Connect has been designed around that reality. “Cities increasingly compete through experiences,” Zulfer added. “People no longer discover cities through brochures. They discover them through digital platforms. By connecting mobility, attractions, entertainment, retail and culture through one ecosystem, we can create a richer experience for visitors while helping more businesses benefit from the city’s growth.”
Future phases of Colombo Connect will expand to include museums, cultural institutions, entertainment venues, event organisers, restaurants, nightlife operators, retailers and other tourism partners, creating an increasingly connected urban ecosystem where users can discover experiences, access promotions, purchase tickets, arrange transport and navigate the city through one trusted platform.
As PickMe Explore continues to evolve, the same model is expected to be introduced across destinations throughout Sri Lanka, helping connect travellers with the country’s attractions and experiences through a single digital ecosystem.
“For more than a decade, PickMe has connected people with transport, merchants and digital services,” Zulfer said. “Our next journey is about connecting people with experiences. Colombo Connect is where that journey begins, and through PickMe Explore we hope to build a platform that eventually helps people discover the very best of Sri Lanka.”
Pic by Sameera Wijesinghe