By TravoUpdate
Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a six-month trial scheme offering free 30-day tourist visas starting October 1, 2024.
The visa-free policy applies to travelers from 35 countries, including India, China, Russia, the UK, and Germany.
The initiative aims to boost tourism and support Sri Lanka's recovering economy, following the COVID-19 pandemic and financial crisis.
The Sri Lankan government aspires to make the country a visa-free destination, similar to Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
After significant losses due to the pandemic and financial crisis, Sri Lanka's tourism sector is showing signs of recovery, with nearly 2 million visitors by mid-August 2024.
Sri Lanka anticipates reaching 2.3 million visitors by the end of 2024.
India is the leading source of tourists to Sri Lanka, with 246,922 visitors in 2024, followed by the UK.
Sri Lanka's tourism industry generated LKR 1.5 billion in the first half of 2023, a significant increase from LKR 875 million in the same period in 2022.
Sri Lanka is known for its beaches, historic temples, and tea plantations, which continue to attract tourists globally.
The visa-free initiative is part of broader efforts to rejuvenate Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and stabilize the economy.