Sri Lankan government considering permitting small tour groups from selected countries to the island
Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has reportedly said the government of Sri Lanka is currently studying a proposal to bring small tour groups from select countries to Sri Lanka.
The Minister has noted that the proposal was under discussion and would be pursued once health authorities gave its clearance to the programme.
“We have discussed this opportunity of bringing down group travellers from Europe, Far East Asia and Russia at the COVID-19 National Task Force meetings as well, but approval was not granted by them to allow any foreigners in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ranatunga has told the Daily FT.
The Tourism Minister has further noted that this opportunity to bring back travellers in groups or in travel bubbles was discussed among many other authorities and stakeholders to support the sector post-Covid-19 pandemic.
“This was just an idea that we wanted to pursue post-COVID, but we have not sought Cabinet approval in this regard,” the Minister has said.
Ranatunga has further noted that Sri Lanka Tourism was working on multiple strategies and ironing out issues related to the industry to ensure that the sector would have an organised structure to continue once the airport is reopened for tourists.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector will be one of the industries to record a quick rebound after facing external and internal challenges posed by the global Covid 19 pandemic. Many tourists have expressed interest in travelling to Sri Lanka given the awarding of the safe and hygienic certification as well as being listed as a must visit destination by several leading global travel publications. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore confidently explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/29102020/Z_6 |