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Sri Lanka Tourism delays app

25 Jul 2021

  • Initial plan was to launch in March
  • Further technical developments cited as reasons for delay
By Yakuta Dawood The tourism app, which was scheduled to be launched by mid-March by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), is getting delayed further than initially expected, The Sunday Morning Business learns. Speaking to us, a senior official from SLTDA, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the tourism app will take time to be launched in Sri Lanka, as further technical developments need to be incorporated into the application.  “It will take time. Currently, the SLTDA, along with the other related authorities are simultaneously working on launching the app as soon as possible,” the official noted.  SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, speaking at the Sri Lanka Investment Forum 2021 that was held in June, said that the tourism industry will be positively impacted after the pandemic, as people will want to connect with communities and nature when travelling.  “For the first time, Sri Lanka Tourism is introducing a travel app which is underway with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB). In order to enhance the visitor’s experience and to improve the service quality, we believe our app will set a new standard. We are a growth-focused industry, hence we will continue to improve in our services,” Fernando said.  Meanwhile, the alternative for the tourism app – the automated web-based solution which was scheduled to be launched in June – will be now launched within the next two weeks to speed up Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and other visa approvals for tourists preparing to come to Sri Lanka.  When inquired about the reason for the delay, Sri Lanka Tourism Board (SLTB) Tourism Planning Director Prasad Jayasuriya said that they are currently waiting for the final clearance from the Department of Immigration and Emigration to move ahead with the plan.  “The web-based solution will be launched soon, as everything is completed from our side, even the piloting. Right now, we are just waiting for the clearance from the Department to launch it to the market,” Jayasuriya said.  Speaking to us in June, SLTDA Director General Dhammika Wijesinghe stated that the ETA, visa, hotel accommodation, PCR testing, and all the other necessary processes for any tourist to arrive in the country was done manually at the time, and hence, in order to create efficiency and benefit all stakeholders involved, the website would be launched. “The website is an immediate solution, as an alternative for the tourism app. Right now everything is completed but it is at the pilot testing stage to monitor if there are any inaccuracies. However, after the approval by the Information and Communications Technology Agency (ICTA) and Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), it will be launched very soon,” Wijesinghe said at the time.  Explaining how the current system works, Wijesinghe stated that for ETA approval, the SLTDA receives details from the Level One accommodation provider along with the PCR details of the tourist; these will be checked and subsequently a recommendation would be sent to the Department of Immigration and Emigration. After that, they review and approve the tourist’s ETA for the arrival.  However, with the web-based solution, all these activities will be in one platform. For instance, when the tourist fills the ETA form for approval, they will get their reference number, to which all the details of their arrival, accommodation, PCR tests, and other necessary documentation/information will be connected.  “Therefore, through this web-based solution, the ETA can be approved immediately through the automated service. Right now, until we send the recommendation, the ETA is pending – which becomes inconvenient for the traveller and all the stakeholders involved,” Wijesinghe explained. 


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