Published on : Thursday, July 25, 2019
Addressing a media briefing organized at the conclusion of a trip by visiting Chinese journalists to Sri Lanka, Amaratunga explained that for Sri Lanka tourism, China was the second largest market and the free visa policy for the Chinese market would boost up Chinese tourist arrivals.
“We are aware that China is one of our main markets. Despite the set back from the Easter Sunday attacks, I am sure this year we will be able to achieve our targets. From August 1, Chinese tourists can come to Sri Lanka without a visa fee and we see this as a landmark decision for the tourism industry,” Amaratunga said.
Couple of other countries enlisted for the free visa policy are – India, Netherlands and other European countries.
“We are very keen to improve our tourist arrivals from China. The government has taken timely action to improve the industry after the Easter attacks and we have conveyed this to the Chinese leaders,” Charmarie Maelge, Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) said.
As per the official statistics from SLTPB, at present 4,000 tourists from across the world disembark in Sri Lanka every day following the suicide attacks.
Tags: Chinese tourists, free visas, Sri Lanka