Sri Lanka has announced plans to waive visa fees for tourists from five nations in a bid to attract more visitors to the island. The decision comes as part of the government's efforts to achieve its target of welcoming five million tourists annually in the near future.
Tourists from China, Russia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia will now be able to visit Sri Lanka without having to pay for a visa. The Minister of Tourism and Lands, Harin Fernando, along with Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, submitted a proposal to the Cabinet, seeking approval for this new initiative.
Under the proposed plan, tourists from these five nations will still be required to obtain a visa for security purposes, but they will not be charged any fees. The move aims to make it more convenient for travelers from these countries to visit Sri Lanka and experience its unique attractions.
Minister Fernando highlighted that this decision was made to capitalize on the potential of these nations as key tourism markets. Additionally, he noted that Sri Lanka was among the 20 countries recommended by China for its citizens to visit.
By eliminating visa fees for tourists from these nations, Sri Lanka hopes to attract a larger number of visitors, boosting its tourism industry and contributing to the country's economic growth. The government remains optimistic that this initiative will help achieve its ambitious tourism targets in the coming years.
