Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has drafted a proposal regarding visa validation from one month to six months for tourist planning to visit the country, and the draft is yet to be handed for Cabinet’s approval.
SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando told Daily News Finance, the suggestion was made to give six months visa, with an app consisting of all the COVID-19 protocols for tourists planning to visit the country after the airport is open.
“The draft has been sent to the Tourism Ministry, through the Ministry and it is yet to be sent to the cabinet for approval. We are focusing on long-stay tourists, and the app will provide all the information concerning COVID-19. I am hoping that the approval will be granted soon to carry out the task.”
The institutions related to tourism is expected to emerge with permission of tourism ministry, currently, there are four sectors of the ministry.
“We are planning to merge the three institutions, and let the hotel school be an independent body. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTD), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLPB) and Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) is to come under the purview of Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry. The proposal has been done for this, and the draft has been sent to the ministry and will be presented to the Cabinet soon.”
Fernando added the hotel school as an independent body will provide a lot of foreign opportunities for students.
“Discussions are underway with various foreign students concerning tourism education. The proposal has been submitted to this as well. Everything is awaiting approval and we are hoping for matters to move soon.”
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