Flying out becomes a dream for Lankans
Sri Lankans are facing restrictions on travel overseas despite the vaccination drive that is facing roadblocks in countries especially in Europe.
While some states continue to impose travel restrictions on countries like Sri Lanka others are also shutting doors on those fully vaccinated with Chinese and Indian vaccines.
Past President – Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) and current United Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA) Vice President Trevor Rajaratnam pointed out that at UFTAA they had presented a document in an attempt to ensure vaccine equity is maintained in the different destinations.
He pointed out otherwise this would become a political issue and noted that this should be addressed at a higher level like the government leadership levels.
Mr. Rajaratnam explained that passengers should not be penalised since currently there is an increasing number of Sri Lankans as well trying to travel overseas and today only the US has become very flexible in allowing anyone to fly in whether vaccinated or not.
However, right now he noted that the Sri Lankan outbound market mostly consists of seamen, students and less for leisure. “Not much leisure travel has opened up and we do not envisage it will happen,” he said.
For Sri Lankans leisure travel can open up once they have vaccinated a significant number, he noted.
Mr. Rajaratnam explained that with the August holidays people are likely to venture out to destinations like the US and the Maldives.
Sales volumes, he noted have increased month on month with the January to April figures growing by 20 per cent, he said.
At present there are about 10,000 per month travelling overseas with a majority of them seamen, students and migrant workers while only less than one per cent of that are leisure travellers.