Sri Lankan authorities have announced that visa fees will be abolished for citizens of Russia, China, India, Thailand, and Indonesia. This update was reported by TASS.
Harin Fernando, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism, indicated that a draft law addressing this change has been submitted to the government. Tourists from the five countries will no longer pay visa processing charges, yet they will still be required to obtain a visa for security reasons. The move aims to stimulate tourism inflow as Sri Lanka seeks to recover from the country’s economic downturn. The government has articulated a long-term goal of welcoming about 5 million visitors each year.
Details on the exact commencement date for the visa fee abolition have not been confirmed. The decision is expected to be finalized soon after the draft receives approval from the Council of Ministers.
In related travel news, Russia recently identified a winter destination mix with Thailand topping the list as the most popular choice for Russians during the colder months. Travel data published by Travelata.ru shows the average trip cost for winter travel standing at approximately 281,000 rubles. This information highlights ongoing shifts in travel preferences and patterns as the tourism sector evolves in response to economic and geopolitical factors.
Analysts note that the tourism sector in Russia faced observable changes in 2023, with various indicators pointing to adjustments in outbound travel and spending. While Sri Lanka explores visa policy changes to attract more visitors, the broader regional tourism landscape continues to adapt to dynamic demands and market conditions.