The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is working with Public Health, Immigration, and Defence institutions to help create a safe framework for the issue of travel visas.
The opening of the airport to foreign tourists remains at the discretion of the health authorities. The proposed framework looks to test tourists for the COVID virus and to trace their location while in the country.
Chairperson Sri Lanka Tourism Kimarli Fernando said that in line with the President’s manifesto promise of an efficient public service the SLTDA was working towards reaching 7 million tourist arrivals. Fernando noted that this was achievable considering regional figures. Fernando noted that the initial focus of the government is to bring back 52,000 Sri Lankans currently stranded abroad. Following the repatriation of citizens, the capacity of the country to PCR test tourists will limit the number of inbound travelers. The health authorities will also monitor the international situation to allow the resumption of tourism-based travel.
Fernando was speaking at a joint event shedding light on the SLTDA health guidelines by Australian Aid and The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) on August 14 at Kingsbury Colombo.
Tourists will require to obtain COVID insurance and a locally provided insurance option will be made available. The government was not able to waive visa fees due to the Rs 6 billion loss to the treasury caused by waiving those fees following the tourist revival package after the Easter bombings. Tourists requiring quarantine shall be given space in either hospitals or quarantine resorts.
Fernando noted that with the amalgamation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the SLTDA, there was scope for the approximately 35 tourism-related associations to come together under larger parent organizations.
The SLTDA is working on a mobile application with the UNDB to help tourists. The application shall amongst other features allow for the logging of complaints, payment of ticket fees at national parks, and access to a directory.
2,400 of the estimated 25,000 tourist establishments in the country are registered. Fernando noted that the SLTDA was empowered to only help registered establishments and encouraged registration through the online portals.
The SLTDA has established a hotline (1912) to help tourists during the pandemic. The authority has also been proactive in helping obtain curfew passes and assisting tourists stranded during the lockdown.
THASL President Sanath Ukwatte commended the government’s effective management of the pandemic. He noted that Sri Lankan guidelines on safety were so strong that regional countries were borrowing them. Ukwatte urged the government to open credit lines to the sector.
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