News

Sri Lanka among top five visa-free destinations for Indian travellers

11 Sep, 2024

Feature Image

Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia have emerged as most popular visa-free destinations preferred by Indian travellers.

Digital travel platform Agoda has identified the top five visa-free destinations for Indian travellers in 2024, based on accommodation bookings on the platform.

The ranking lists Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Nepal as the most popular.

Thailand has also emerged as the most popular visa-free destination for Indian travellers in the platform?s accommodation search data and has noted a double-digit increase in
accommodation searches following the introduction of the visa
waiver for Indian tourists in November last year. Malaysia, which
introduced a similar visa waiver for Indian tourists last December,
made the leap from the eighth position in 2023 to fourth in the first half of 2024.
Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern recently spoke at an event in Delhi and emphasised on the impact of relaxed
visa policies. “We know that removing visa restrictions makes a huge difference to inbound tourism, and we see
this across the globe,” he said.
Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director India at Agoda, shared, “The interest among Indian travellers for these visafree destinations underscores the importance of hassle-free travel. Indian travellers are increasingly seeking destinations that offer convenience and a variety of experiences without the need for enduring extensive visa procedures.”? (The Times of India)

Recommended For You

Feature Image

Central Bank to begin using Blockchain Technology

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) entered into agreements today (7 July 2020) to begin the process of developing Blockchain Technology Based Shared Know-Your-Customer (KYC) proofs of concept (POCs). CBSL identified the potential benefit for Sri Lanka?s financial?services in 2018 and initiated an inter-industry study of Blockchain Technology, with the voluntary participation of the banks as well as the IT industry. CBSL decided to pave the way for Blockchain Technology based financial servic

07 Jul, 2020

Feature Image

Maldives and Sri Lanka eliminate measles and rubella ahead of 2023 target

Maldives and Sri Lanka were today verified for having eliminated rubella, making them the first two countries in WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve measles and rubella elimination ahead of the 2023 target. ?Protecting all children against these killer and debilitating diseases is an important step in our endeavor to achieve healthier population and health for all,? said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, congratulating Maldives and Sri Lanka on their ac

08 Jul, 2020

Feature Image

Individual injured in Palai explosion dies

An individual who was injured in an explosion in the Ayyakachchiya area in Palai succumbed to his injuries today. The Police said the victim has sustained serious injuries in the explosion that had occurred inside a house in the area last Friday (03). The deceased, who was identified as a 44 year- old resident of Ayyakachchiya, died while receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura hospital. The Police said the wife of the deceased and another suspect have been arrested in connection to the incid

08 Jul, 2020