- Highlights need for visa-free entry expansion to match competitors
- Recent moves by Thailand, Japan to relax visa requirements put pressure on SL
- SL will struggle to attract tourists without change, tourism officials warn
- Committee to review global visa policies and report back to Cabinet
Considering the recent trend among Sri Lanka’s tourism competitors to relax visa requirements for tourists, the country will have to follow suit if it intends to compete in the global tourism market, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) warns.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando pointed out that Thailand had recently extended its list of countries eligible for visa-free entry to 93 and that similar steps had been taken by countries such as Japan.
In the backdrop of these developments, he warned that Sri Lanka too must follow suit in order to compete on an equal playing field with its competitors.
Commenting further, Fernando revealed that Sri Lanka currently permitted visa-free entry for only seven countries – China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan – and that a recommendation had been made to extend the visa-free entry arrangement to 67 countries.
He stated: “We have also made recommendations to extend the list of visa-free countries. If they allow the recommendations to go ahead, we can compete. If not, we will not have a level playing field.”
The SLTDA Chairman revealed that a Cabinet paper had been submitted proposing visa-free access for citizens of 67 countries, a move aimed at stimulating tourism and promoting Sri Lanka as a preferred travel destination.
Subsequently, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a committee to look at steps taken by other countries in this regard.
“What are the benefits in allowing free visas? Have we followed the same path that others have done? After an extensive study, they will submit their final recommendations to the Cabinet,” Fernando noted.
Thailand announced at the end of May that the number of countries eligible for visa-free entry to the country would be increased from 57 to 93. Under the new scheme, visitors can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, compared to the earlier limit of 30 days.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 71 countries currently enjoy visa exemption arrangements with the country. In a similar manner, Malaysia has also permitted 133 countries to visit it without a visa, while in the Maldives, tourists of all nationalities can receive a 30-day visa free of charge on arrival in the country.
