By: Vibhuti Pathak
Tourism stakeholders in Sri Lanka have expressed alarm over recent changes in the country’s visa processing system, citing exorbitant costs and a convoluted application process. According to a recent study, Sri Lanka now boasts the highest visa fees in Asia, raising concerns among industry experts about its potential impact on tourist arrivals.
A switch to a private company-operated website for visa processing has sparked worries within the tourism industry, with reports indicating a lack of user-friendliness and increased expenses. Despite assurances from officials, concerns persist about the negative effects on tourism recovery efforts.
“The abrupt fee increase and complicated process are likely to deter tourists, potentially reducing arrivals to below 2 million,” stated a letter addressed to President Wickremesinghe by tourism stakeholders. This situation poses a significant challenge to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which is a key driver of the country’s economic recovery.
The tourism industry aims to attract 2.3 to 2.5 million tourist arrivals in 2024, but the recent visa changes threaten to hinder this goal. The shift to a private company-operated website underscores broader challenges in balancing revenue generation with maintaining a welcoming tourism environment.
