Kimarli Fernando, the chairman of the SLTPB (Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau) invited Australians to revisit Sri Lanka and advised the tour operators in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria to promote Sri Lanka as a great location for Australian tourists. Visiting Sri Lanka has now become much easier as the country has eased COVID-19 restrictions for all fully vaccinated travelers. She made the comments during a webinar on November 17, 2021.
Fully vaccinated tourists no longer have to undergo a PCR test or quarantine measures on arrival. They are completely free to leave the airport and visit any part of the island they want.
Consul General Kapila Fonseka stated that this is the best time for the tour operators to promote Sri Lanka in the Australian market as Australia has lowered the level of travel advice on Sri Lanka and lifted the restriction for Australian tourists to visit Sri Lanka.
The SLTPB Director of Marketing Dushan Wickramasuriya presented the unique and diverse tourism products that Sri Lanka has to offer to the visitors.
Australian tourists have already started applying for 90-day tourist visas through the Consulate General. Tourists can also obtain a 30-day visa for Sri Lanka online.
Manager Sri Lankan airlines – Melbourne SP Mohan presented the products of Sri Lankan airlines for the Australian tourists. The frequency of direct flights from Colombo to Melbourne and Colombo to Sydney has already been increased to three per week to each destination and the frequency is expected to increase further as passenger numbers grow.
Speaking about the COVID safety arrangements at the Sri Lankan hotels, President of the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) Sanath Ukwatte guaranteed that the hotels will provide a safe service with well-trained staff.
Tour operators and the Sri Lankan Community Media Association in the Australian states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania and Sri Lanka Australia Business Council President Dilkie Perera and members also participated.
Member of the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) Charith de Alwis and Rohan Abeywickrama, former President of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism (ASMET) Rohan Abeywickrama also spoke about the webinar.
The webinar was hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, in conjunction with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, Sri Lankan Airlines Melbourne Office and the Sri Lanka Australia Business Council.
