In a move to stimulate tourism and aid the recovery of its crisis-hit economy, Sri Lanka’s cabinet has given the green light for issuing free tourist visas to visitors from seven countries, including China, India, and Russia, as announced by the media ministry on Tuesday (October 24).
Under a pilot program running until March 31, 2024, tourists hailing from China, India, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia will be granted complimentary visas, according to the statement detailing cabinet decisions. This initiative is a part of Sri Lanka’s comprehensive efforts to rejuvenate its tourism sector and achieve the ambitious target of five million arrivals by 2026, the statement further explained.
The island nation, known for its pristine beaches, ancient temples, and aromatic tea, faced a severe blow to its tourism industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a financial crisis last year that triggered mass protests and shortages of essential goods like fuel.
However, there has been a notable turnaround in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry in 2023, with the country welcoming one million visitors by September, a milestone not achieved since 2019. Sri Lanka anticipates closing the year with 1.5 million arrivals.
India stands as the largest contributor of tourists, with 200,310 arrivals, followed by Russia with 132,300, as per the latest data from the Sri Lanka Development Authority.
Sri Lanka’s earnings from tourism reached $1.3 billion in the first eight months of 2023, a significant increase from $833 million during the corresponding period last year, as reported by the central bank.