Sri Lanka (Commonwealth) _Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved giving free tourist visas to tourists from seven countries, including China, India, and Russia, according to a media ministry statement, in order to encourage tourism and support the country’s crisis-hit economy.
Under a pilot scheme, tourists from China, India, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia would be allowed free visas until March 31, 2024, according to a statement detailing cabinet decisions. The plan is part of Sri Lanka’s efforts to accelerate tourism recovery and reach a target of five million arrivals by 2026, according to the announcement.
The tourism industry in the country of 22 million people, known for its beaches, historic temples, and aromatic tea, was devastated first by the Covid-19 outbreak and then by a severe financial crisis last year, which saw huge protests and shortages of commodities such as fuel.
However, the tourism industry is expected to improve in 2023, with Sri Lanka surpassing a million visitors by September for the first time since 2019. The island anticipates 1.5 million visitors by the end of the year.
According to the most recent Sri Lanka Development Authority data, India is the largest source of tourists with 200,310 arrivals, followed by Russia with 132,300. As per Central bank, Sri Lanka earned $1.3 billion from tourism in the first eight months of 2023, up from $833 million in the same time last year.
Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister, Harin Fernando, stated that the pilot project will run until March 31, 2024. Minister Fernando stated in a tweet that the Cabinet has approved visa-free entrance for visitors from these countries, and that the measure will take effect immediately.
Tourists from these seven countries will be able to obtain visas for free. They will need visas to visit Sri Lanka, but there will be no fees. According to the Minister, they will need to seek a visa for security reasons.
The decision’s goal is to attract more tourists from these countries and to meet the target of drawing five million tourists to Sri Lanka yearly in the coming years. He also mentioned that Sri Lanka is one of 20 countries that China recommends its citizens visit.
The Ministry of Tourism said last week that a Cabinet Paper was tabled at the previous Cabinet meeting, proposing the issuance of free tourist visas to visitors from five countries who plan to visit Sri Lanka as tourists.
Sri Lanka Tourism has set an ambitious aim of reaching 1.55 million visitors by 2023. The officials expect 73,893 additional arrivals during the next two weeks to fulfill the monthly target of 120,201 tourists.In terms of both YTD numbers and September arrivals, India remains the most important source market for Sri Lanka. In the first 12 days of September, a total of 12,252 tourists arrived from India, with additional visitors from the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, and Australia.
This rebound demonstrates Sri Lanka’s ongoing allure as a tourist destination, as well as its effective efforts to revitalize the tourism sector following three consecutive years of failures.As the numbers continue to rise, Sri Lanka has a bright future in the tourist industry, solidifying its status as a sought-after holiday destination around the world.According to the most recent Central Bank data, tourism earnings in the first eight months of 2023 exceeded $ 1.3 billion, representing a 56.7% rise over the same time last year, with August revenues standing at $ 210.5 million.
Earlier this month, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) launched its most extensive global campaign in over a decade, with a two-phased approach aimed at altering the country’s perception and presenting it as a prime vacation destination. The short-term global campaign’s purpose is to revitalize the tourist industry and promote Sri Lanka as a must-see destination for both first-time and repeat visitors.
