Sri Lanka has announced a new visa-free entry policy for tourists from 35 countries, effective October 1, 2024. This initiative is part of the country’s strategy to boost tourism and support economic recovery following a currency crisis. The decision was confirmed by Foreign Minister Ali Sabry via a post on Twitter. The cabinet has approved
Sri Lanka has experienced a significant boost in tourist arrivals, with over 91,000 international visitors arriving in the first two weeks of August. This recent influx brings the year-to-date total closer to 1.3 million visitors. According to provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the island welcomed 91,634 tourists from August 1 to
Sri Lanka saw 26,889 tourists arrive in the first four days of August 2024, pushing the total visitor count for the year to 1,224,948. The recent India-Sri Lanka cricket series and the launch of IndiGo Airlines’ daily service from Chennai to Jaffna have contributed to this influx, particularly boosting Indian tourist numbers. India led the
Sri Lanka has achieved a significant milestone in its tourism sector, reaching a target of 1.2 million tourists by August 2024. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the country welcomed 1,198,059 tourists during the first seven months of the year. July saw a record-breaking 187,810 arrivals, marking the highest monthly total in
In response to the suspension of the eVisa platform, Sri Lankan missions abroad will resume issuing tourist and business visas to facilitate international visitors. This measure aims to prevent inconvenience for travelers seeking to enter Sri Lanka while the electronic system is offline. Tourism industry stakeholders have communicated to overseas travel agents and other relevant
Sri Lanka’s Immigration and Emigration Department has surpassed its revenue projections for 2023, achieving a record Rs.42.76 billion in total revenue. This performance was bolstered by increased tourist arrivals and a higher number of passport issuances. The department had initially forecasted a revenue of Rs.28.1 billion for the year, but actual earnings soared to Rs.42.76
After a disappointing June, tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka surged in July, with the country welcoming 187,810 foreign visitors. This marks a 31.3 percent increase from a year ago, partly driven by the Dawoodi Bohra International Convention held in Colombo from July 7 to 19, which attracted approximately 15,000 foreign visitors. July’s tourist numbers represent
Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration is poised to make a decision on reinstating online tourist visas after a court suspended the service provided by the private consortium IVS-GBS and VFS Global. According to Aruna newspaper, Controller General of Immigration Harsha Illukpitiya stated that the court order is expected to reach him on Monday, and a
Officials from Sri Lanka’s tourism industry recently confirmed that the sector is on a strong upward trajectory, with more than 1.16 million visitors arriving in the country so far this year. If current trends continue, Sri Lanka could surpass its benchmark year of 2018. Tourism Ministry Secretary Somarathne Vidanapathirana expressed optimism about the sector’s recovery,
Following Laos and Thailand, Algeria has also granted visa-free travel to Sri Lankans, among other countries. This move is part of Algeria’s broader initiative to simplify travel procedures and strengthen international connections. In 2021, Algeria’s tourism sector significantly boosted the economy, contributing approximately USD 7.2 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a 33% increase