The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka, popularly known as ASMET, was founded in 2005 by the Core Group for Alternative Tourism, an initiative in co-operation with the “Value Chain Promotion Component (VCPC)” of the “Capacity Building for Competitiveness and Qualified Employment (CBCQE) Programme” of GTZ-Integration.

The formation of an umbrella organization for the SME sector in tourism has been in discussion among its stakeholders for more than ten years. After two years of multi stakeholder consultation and careful deliberation, the Core Group Members were able to formalize the organization. ASMET was formerly launched by its Members, at a simple ceremony in March 2006 at the Auditorium of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. The Deputy Minister of Tourism of Sri Lanka, The Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourist Board, and The National Advisor for GTZ in Sri Lanka, and many key personnel who represent Sri Lanka Tourism graced the occasion and offered their fullest support.