BRITS can save up to £152 on a dreamy winter getaway to a sun-soaked exotic island, as pricey visas are set to be scrapped.
Brits looking for a winter sun getaway have some sizzling news – one of the world’s most exotic islands is changing its laws – making it a lot cheaper for families.
From October 1, Sri Lanka will offer visa-free access for single visits of up to 30 days.
The new initiative will run for six months and applies to 35 countries, giving sun-seekers the chance to explore this paradise without the extra cost or hassle.
The move comes as the island nation tries to revive its tourism industry after the triple whammy of political upheaval, the pandemic, and the devastating Easter terror attacks in 2019.
A coordinated bomb attack on Easter Sunday saw explosions ripping through three five-star hotels and three churches in Sri Lanka.
A total of 253 people were killed and over 500 people were injured in the attacks, including Brits.
As a result, the FCO issued advice warning Brits not to visit the country amid fears of more bombings, although it has relaxed its advice since then.
THE Sri Lankan government has named National Thowheed Jamath as being behind the bomb attacks.
But there’s a catch – Ireland is not on the list of exempt countries.
Sam Clark, head honcho of Sri Lanka specialist Experience Travel Group, said the decision was “great news” for the country.
He told TTG: “The new visa-free regime is a game-changer for Sri Lanka’s future.
“It gives travellers from around the world a golden chance to see everything the country has to offer and is a huge opportunity for British ministers to push for a permanent visa-free arrangement.”
Sri Lanka is not just safe – it’s a sparkling gem in South Asia’s crown.
Sam reckons the UK government should be pulling out all the stops to help Brits visit.
The UK is a big deal for Sri Lanka’s tourism scene – it’s their third-largest source market, with 61,000 Brits soaking up the sun there last year.
The visa-free move is a welcome boost after the tourism industry successfully lobbied the Foreign Office to change its travel advice earlier this year.
Since 2018, UK officials had warned travellers against visiting due to political unrest, saying “food, medicine, and medical services” might be limited.
Sam noted this had a “profound impact on tourism,” with bookings still lagging behind 2018 levels.
But after a star-studded campaign featuring celebs, politicians, and business leaders, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) finally softened its stance in April.
Now, tour operators are buzzing with excitement.
They expect that ditching the visa fees will make Sri Lanka an even hotter destination.
The ETG also pointed out that when Vietnam introduced a similar scheme, visitor numbers jumped by a whopping third in just two weeks.
So, if you’re dreaming of a winter escape filled with palm-fringed beaches, stunning wildlife, and mouth-watering food, Sri Lanka might just be the ticket.
And now it won’t cost you an extra penny in visa fees.
Don’t wait – bag your Sri Lankan adventure today and save yourself a small fortune while you’re at it.
That’s not the only buzz in the travel industry.
Virgin Atlantic flights could soon launch from a new UK airport, for the first time in four years.
Meanwhile, Ryanair and TUI will both be launching services from from Bournemouth Airport.
And Jet2 confirmed Bournemouth Airport would become its 12th UK base, with 16 new flights to launch from the airport next summer.
Elsewhere, for those after a traditional cold winter, but don’t want to pay the hefty Lapland price tag, British Airways is launching a brand-new direct service to a “cheaper alternative” to Lapland.
