Sri Lanka is to issue free tourist visas from 1 October to visitors from 35 countries, including the UK.
Tourists will be able to visit Sri Lanka for 30 days on a free visa under a six-month pilot programme in an effort to boost tourism.
According to Visasnews.com, Sri Lanka initially announced it would introduce a ‘visa-free policy’, however, the Cabinet of Ministers issued a statement later yesterday to confirm visas would still be required, but they would be free for 30 days during the pilot period.
Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said: “The aim of the government is to transform Sri Lanka into a free visa country, much like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry,” Reuters reports.
The move has been welcomed by Experience Travel Group, which called it a ‘game changing blueprint for Sri Lanka’s future’.
CEO Sam Clark said: “This is great news for Sri Lanka and even better news for British travellers.
“It offers travellers around the world a great chance to see all the country has to offer, and it’s a huge opportunity for British ministers to negotiate a permanent visa-free arrangement.
“Sri Lanka is not just a safe country. It is a jewel in South Asia’s crown and our government should do everything it can to help British people visit.”
Last week, Sri Lanka suspended online visa applications for British tourists.
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Tourists will be able to visit Sri Lanka for 30 days on a free visa under a six-month pilot programme in an effort to boost tourism.
According to Visasnews.com, Sri Lanka initially announced it would introduce a ‘visa-free policy’, however, the Cabinet of Ministers issued a statement later yesterday to confirm visas would still be required, but they would be free for 30 days during the pilot period.
Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said: “The aim of the government is to transform Sri Lanka into a free visa country, much like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry,” Reuters reports.
The move has been welcomed by Experience Travel Group, which called it a ‘game changing blueprint for Sri Lanka’s future’.
CEO Sam Clark said: “This is great news for Sri Lanka and even better news for British travellers.
“It offers travellers around the world a great chance to see all the country has to offer, and it’s a huge opportunity for British ministers to negotiate a permanent visa-free arrangement.
“Sri Lanka is not just a safe country. It is a jewel in South Asia’s crown and our government should do everything it can to help British people visit.”
Last week, Sri Lanka suspended online visa applications for British tourists.
The post Sri Lanka to issue free visas to British tourists appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
