Sri Lanka’s key tourism stakeholders are urging President to intervene in a recent change to the tourist visa process, which they say threatens the country’s economic recovery plans.
The industry’s concerns stem from a new regulation implemented on April 17th, 2024, that mandates all tourist visa applications to be submitted through a private company website.
This replaces the previously used government-operated Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.
Stakeholders highlight several issues with the new process:
- Increased Cost: The single-entry 30-day visa option, previously available through the ETA system, is no longer offered. Currently, only a six-month multiple-entry visa is available at a cost of US$100.77, significantly higher than before due to additional fees.
- Reduced Competitiveness: This cost increase makes Sri Lanka’s visa fees the highest in Asia, deterring tourists compared to regional competitors offering free or cheaper visas.
- Complex Application Process: The industry criticizes the new website’s application process as unfriendly and complex.
A recent study, included with the letter sent to the President, reportedly warns that these changes could significantly impact tourist arrivals. The industry’s target of 2.3 to 2.5 million visitors in 2024 might be jeopardized, with arrivals potentially dropping below 2 million.
The letter expresses concern that this policy might contradict the government’s overall tourism revival efforts. Stakeholders urge the President to intervene and restore a user-friendly visa process through a government website, similar to the previous ETA system. They emphasize the need for a readily available 30-day single-entry visa option at a competitive price to maintain the positive momentum in the tourism industry and support Sri Lanka’s broader economic recovery.
