Speaking at the OTM 2024 session on ‘Is the world ready for the Indian traveller? - Tourism Boards Perspective’ on Thursday, he explained that India is Sri Lanka’s single biggest source market that helped its tourism industry bounce back after multiple challenges.

“India is our number one source market and tourists from India helped our country on its path of recovery from the recent crisis we faced,” Fernando said.

He said by offering visa exemption to Indian nationals, Sri Lanka aims to increase tourist arrivals, particularly among those who prefer spontaneous travel and find the visa application process cumbersome.