Indian and British travel agents, handling Sri Lanka’s biggest inbound markets, are both concerned that the new, fee-based online visa rules effective from January 2012 could turn away travellers, at least in the first few months.
From an easy, on arrival visa process without any charge for nationals from 78 countries, all travellers in future have to apply online at a processing fee of US$50 from Chennai.
A. Muthusamy, Proprietor of Sharmila Travels & Tours, says he handles a large slice of the incoming Indian traffic, andwith the cost of a ticket being $150 from Chennai, the extra $50 would increase by 30% the cost of travel to Sri Lanka. “Already there have been many inquiries of concern from India,” he said, adding that India which now charges over Rs 750 per visa to India may fix the same $50 for Sri Lankan travellers on a reciprocal basis.
David Kevan, Partner of UK-based travel agent Chic Locations, said the impact is based on discontinuing the simple on arrival visa which most clients found easy. He said rival destinations such as Mauritius and Thailand ‘must be clapping their hands’ at the prospect of new opportunites that the Sri Lankan situation has provided.
Industry sources say the new charge will add to increasing fees being lumped on the industry in addition to a total of $225 to visit various wild life parks and other sites, the rates of which are also set to rise next month. Hotel rates have also doubled in the past year. |
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