Planning a trip to Sri Lanka? New visa cost changes you need to know

Endowed with scenic landscapes and historical architecture Sri Lanka is amongst one of the top destinations for Indian tourists Iconic spots like the ancient city of Anuradhapura Bentotas serene beaches and the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy have long been popular destinations for IndiansClose proximity and relatively short flight times make Sri Lanka an accessible destination however recent changes in visa regulations have affected this flow of tourism Experts reveal that despite the introduction of stricter visa requirements and increased processing times tourists continue to throng to Sri LankaTo decode how the changes in Sri Lanka visa costs affect Indian tourism Midday consulted travel expert Mohak Nahata Founder amp CEO of AtlysHow has the change in Sri Lankan visas affected travel for IndiansNahata Previously Indians travelling to Sri Lanka could obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation ETA for 20 US dollars Later the island country introduced a VisaFree Scheme for Indian nationals allowing them to get a free ETA before their arrival After the VisaFree Scheme ended Sri Lanka has now tied up with thirdparty providers to process visas for Indian and other foreign nationalsAs a result the visa fees for Indians have increased While the visa itself may have a standard fee there is now an additional service charge of around 810 US dollars levied by thirdparty providers for processing the visa application What this implies is that while Indian nationals could earlier obtain a free ETA under the VisaFree Scheme they now have to pay the visa fee plus the thirdparty provider service charge which has effectively increased the overall cost of obtaining a visa for travel to Sri LankaAre the recent changes for Sri Lanka visas posing any new challengesNahata The transition from Sri Lankas earlier system of obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorization ETA directly from the government website to the new process involving thirdparty providers as an intermediary has introduced some challenges for Indian nationals planning to visit the island nationOne of the primary challenges is the additional layer of documentation and procedures required when going through a thirdparty visa processing agency like Thirdparty providers This could include providing supporting documents attending visa application centres for biometrics and navigating the agencys online application platform which may not be as straightforward as the previous governmentrun ETA systemFurthermore the involvement of thirdparty providers has led to an increase in overall visa costs due to the service fees charged by the agency on top of the standard visa fees This additional financial burden although relatively modest could still be a deterrent for budgetconscious Indian travellers or those making lastminute travel plansThe transition to the new visa process could also lead to longer processing times as applications need to go through an additional intermediary potentially causing delays or uncertainties in travel planning for Indian touristsWhile the challenges posed by the new system are not insurmountable they do introduce an extra layer of complexity and cost for Indian travellers who were previously accustomed to the relatively straightforward and costeffective ETA process Adapting to the new procedures and factoring in the additional expenses may require some adjustment and careful planning for Indian tourists visiting Sri LankaHas the rise deterred Indians from travellingNahata Despite the rise in visa fees for Indian nationals travelling to Sri Lanka the increase does not seem to have significantly impacted the number of Indian tourists visiting the island nation Heres how the situation is unfoldingThe recent hike in Sri Lanka visa fees which includes the visa cost itself plus an additional service charge levied by the outsourced visa processing agency thirdparty providers has made travelling to Sri Lanka slightly more expensive for Indian tourists However Indian travellers continue to throng to Sri Lanka in large numbers undeterred by the marginal increase in visarelated costsSeveral factors contribute to Sri Lankas enduring appeal as a popular destination for Indian tourists offsetting the impact of the visa fee rise These include the geographic proximity between the two countries deeprooted cultural and historical ties Sri Lankas diverse attractions catering to leisure and religious tourism and its positioning as a relatively affordable international travel destinationIndustry observers note that the steady flow of Indian tourists to Sri Lanka remains unabated with no noticeable decline in visitor numbers following the visa fee increase This resilience in demand can be attributed to Sri Lankas wellestablished reputation as a favored travel hotspot for Indians and the perceived value for money it offers despite the slightly higher visarelated expensesWhile the visa fee hike may have caused some initial apprehension it appears that Indian travellers have absorbed the additional costs suggesting that Sri Lankas appeal as a tourist destination transcends the marginal increase in visarelated expenses for this key source marketWhat makes Sri Lanka a lucrative travel destination for Indians Does India serve as a market source for Sri LankaThere has been a surge in tourists travelling to Sri Lanka With the ongoing financial crisis many Indians perceive it as a costeffective destination Numerous families have also planned their summer 2024 vacations in LankaAccording to statistics from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority India was the top source market for tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in 2019 with over 425000 Indian tourists visiting comprising around 18 per cent of the total international arrivalsWhile numbers dipped during the pandemic years India is expected to regain its position as Sri Lankas leading source market as travel normalises post Covid Here are some factors how India does serves as a major source market for tourism in Sri Lanka due to several factorsGeographic proximity India and Sri Lanka are neighbouring countries separated by a narrow strip of sea making travel between them relatively easy and costeffectiveCultural ties The two countries share deep cultural religious and historical links dating back centuries which attracts many Indian tourists interested in exploring Sri Lankas Buddhist sites Hindu temples and cultural attractionsAffordable destination Sri Lanka is perceived as a relatively affordable tourist destination for Indian travellers when compared to more expensive international destinationsMICE tourism Many Indian companies and associations hold meetings incentives conferences and exhibitions MICE in Sri Lanka due to its conducive facilities and lower costsLeisure tourism Sri Lankas beaches wildlife hill stations and ayurvedic tourism appeal to Indian leisure travellers