In a significant move aimed at boosting tourism, Sri Lanka has announced that it will provide free visa access to citizens from 35 countries, including India, starting October 1.
This decision is expected to enhance the flow of tourists into the island nation, which has been striving to recover from the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sri Lanka-based Daily Mirror reported the announcement, citing Harin Fernando, an advisor to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism.
List of Nations to Benefit from Free Visa Access
The list of countries eligible for this visa-free access includes several major nations, reflecting Sri Lanka’s strategic approach to attract tourists from diverse regions.
Among the 35 countries are the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Israel, New Zealand, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and Australia.
These countries represent some of the largest and most lucrative tourism markets globally, and Sri Lanka’s decision to grant them free visa access is seen as a calculated step to boost tourist arrivals.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry lauded the initiative as a crucial first step towards establishing a broader visa-free regime in the future. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sabry stated, “First steps towards a visa-free regime!” His enthusiasm for the move was evident as he shared data from the Sri Lankan Tourism Authority, highlighting the positive trends in the country’s tourism sector.
Resurgence of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Sector
The tourism sector in Sri Lanka, once a thriving industry, faced a significant downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to data from the Sri Lankan Tourism Authority, the country welcomed 2,333,796 tourists in 2018 and 1,913,702 in 2019.
However, these numbers plummeted during the pandemic years as global travel came to a halt.
In 2023, the tourism industry began to show signs of recovery, with 1,487,303 tourists visiting the island nation. The upward trend has continued in 2024, with 1,315,884 tourists recorded so far. These figures indicate that Sri Lanka is steadily moving towards regaining its pre-pandemic levels of tourism.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry expressed optimism that Sri Lanka would soon achieve its pre-COVID-19 tourism figures.
“We are well on course to achieve the pre-COVID level. Sri Lanka can – Sri Lanka will!” Sabry stated, reflecting the government’s confidence in the potential of the tourism sector to drive economic recovery.
Political Implications and Upcoming Presidential Elections
The announcement of free visa access comes at a critical time for Sri Lanka, as the nation prepares for its presidential elections on September 21. The current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was sworn in as the eighth President of Sri Lanka in July 2022 following the resignation of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has announced his candidacy for re-election.
However, Wickremesinghe faces a significant challenge as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the largest party in the parliament, has decided not to back his candidacy.
Instead, the SLPP, closely associated with the Rajapaksa brothers, who were once dominant figures in Sri Lankan politics, has chosen to field its own candidate for the upcoming elections.
This development adds an element of uncertainty to the political landscape in Sri Lanka, with the visa-free initiative potentially playing a role in shaping public opinion ahead of the elections.
The move to boost tourism and the economy through free visa access may be seen as a strategic effort by the current administration to garner support and demonstrate its commitment to economic revitalization.
As Sri Lanka navigates these political and economic challenges, the success of the visa-free initiative could be a key factor in determining the future trajectory of the nation’s tourism industry and its overall economic recovery.
