Sri Lanka recorded over 70,000 tourist arrivals in the first 17 days of September, according to provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). From 1 to 17 September, a total of 70,678 international visitors entered the island, pushing the year-to-date arrivals to 1.43 million. However, the average daily arrivals have dropped to
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has generated over $2 billion in revenue during the first eight months of 2024, despite a shortfall in tourist arrivals, according to the latest data from the Central Bank. Tourism earnings between January and August reached $2.16 billion, representing a 66.1% year-on-year (YoY) increase. The earnings for the first eight months
The ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka’s business visa issuance is jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery, as foreign buyers, suppliers, and technical experts struggle to obtain the necessary visas to enter the country, according to a statement from the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF). The Department of Immigration has failed to re-activate the online visa system
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry faces significant challenges due to a fragmented tour guide sector, threatening the country’s ability to meet its target of attracting five million visitors by 2030. A recent study by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) found that 23% of the country’s 6,347 tour guides are operating without proper licenses, highlighting
New Zealand has announced a sharp increase in its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, which will rise from NZ$35 (£16.52) to NZ$100 (£47.20) starting from 1 October. The government says the increase is aimed at boosting economic growth and ensuring visitors contribute to the upkeep of public services and high-quality experiences. However, Tourism Industry
Sri Lanka is set to offer a two-week tourist visa at no cost to visitors from 38 selected countries, according to Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena. The new visa policy was approved by the Cabinet and is aimed at making travel easier, similar to Singapore’s visa-on-arrival system. “The Cabinet approved the immediate implementation of
Long queues were observed at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today as travelers faced delays in obtaining on-arrival visas. The current situation arises because Sri Lanka has not yet reverted to the previous visa approval and issuing system, following the Supreme Court’s order to suspend the VFS-led system. This has led to extended wait times for
Sri Lanka is witnessing the return of long queues, this time outside the Department of Immigration and Emigration, due to a shortage of passport books. The government’s failure to supply enough passports has sparked a scenario reminiscent of the 2022 economic crisis when long queues formed for essential items like fuel, cooking gas, and medicine.
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector generated an impressive income of US$ 328.3 million in July 2024, a figure almost matching the country’s half-yearly tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This significant boost in tourism earnings, which more than doubled the June income of US$ 151.1 million, highlights the sector’s robust recovery following years of disruption
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the awarding of contracts to six new companies to operate tourist service counters at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for the next three years. During the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena announced that this decision follows a competitive bidding process conducted by Airport