After mid-air turbulence it is safe landing!

• Tourism industry turns visa-friendly as key meeting yesterday between Sri Lanka Tourism, Immigration and Emigration Dept. Chiefs and private sector associations clears misconceptions and fears

One could call it an about turn or magic of proper consultation as the tourism industry yesterday turned visa-friendly saying the Government’s new move will not reduce arrivals but on the contrary could improve the travellers’ experience.

The change of mindsets and dropping of previous warnings came about after Sri Lanka Tourism along with the Department of Immigration and Emigration yesterday made a presentation to the industry captains including the Tourist Hotels Association (THASL), Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) and Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism (ASMET).

All these associations as featured in Daily FT page 1 on Tuesday and Wednesday originally issued various warnings of 20 to 40% drop in tourist arrivals in Visit Sri Lanka year. This was on account of the Government plans to introduce visa with a fee for foreigners except from Singapore and the Maldives, visiting Sri Lanka.

However at yesterday’s meeting most of concerns of the industry went with the Indian Ocean breeze outside the Sri Lanka Tourism office. Controller of Department of Immigration and Emigration Dr. W.A. Chulananda Perera and Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Nalaka Godahewa officiated at the meeting.

“We are very impressed and relieved after the presentations made by the Immigration and Emigration Chief. If the Government implements the simplified and visitor friendly process I don’t think there will be a drop in tourist arrivals as originally feared on account of the new visa requirement,” THASL President Anura Lokuhetty told the Daily FT.

He said that as per presentations made the process appears “tourist friendly” and very simplified in addition to being accessible 24 hours of the day with expeditious service.  



After mid-air...

“We feel that with prior notice and adequate awareness the new process can indeed make a foreign visitor’s entry into Sri Lanka smoother and enhance the overall experience,” Lokuhetty added. The exact fee hasn’t been finalised yet but THASL President expects it to be a flat and reasonable charge.

Apart from Lokuhetty, SLAITO Chairman Nilmin Nanayakkara, ASMET President Siri de Silva and TAASL President V. Mahathevan represented the private sector industry at the meeting.

Sri Lanka Tourism Chief Godahewa told the Daily FT that the access to the special web site will be made available from multiple web sites including Sri Lanka Missions abroad, Sri Lanka Tourism, other Government web sites, SriLankan Airlines, Travel Agents etc. Information will be available in all major international languages.

He said that research has revealed that bulk of the tourists who visit Sri Lanka initially make an online search about the destination and the proposed new scheme will be hassle free. “Following the meeting with the industry a lot of unwarranted fears and misconceptions have been cleared and with greater clarity, consensus and cooperation the new regime will not hinder the planned record 700,000 tourist arrivals in 2011,” Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman added.

Lokuhetty admitted that had there been prior discussions or briefing with the industry, the hot air over the move could have been avoided. “The private sector is committed to developing the tourism industry and will support progressive moves towards that direction. The collaboration can be dynamic if there is prior and proper consultation with the private sector,” he added.