Sri Lanka’s tourism industry faces a delicate test after a temporary technical issue disrupted the delivery of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) approval notices to travellers in the United Kingdom the country’s second-largest source market.
The matter, acknowledged by the Sri Lankan High Commission in the United Kingdom, affects approval confirmations issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Authorities have assured travellers that they may proceed without the approval email, with entry verification conducted on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport.
From a logistical standpoint, the contingency arrangement appears sound. Airlines have been formally notified, minimising the risk of passengers being denied boarding. However, industry stakeholders caution that the short-term impact may be felt less in immediate cancellations and more in consumer sentiment.
The UK market carries disproportionate economic significance. British visitors are among the highest spenders per trip and tend to book longer stays, supporting hotels, boutique properties, tour operators and transport providers during the winter peak season. In early February alone, 17,807 UK travellers arrived, contributing to a year-to-date total of 47,347. With 212,277 arrivals recorded in 2025, the UK remains central to Sri Lanka’s long-haul strategy.
Short-term disruptions can influence booking cycles, particularly among first-time visitors unfamiliar with local procedures. Travel agents report that uncertainty even when clarified often generates additional reassurance requests, slowing conversions during competitive seasonal windows.
At the same time, the episode underscores how modern tourism ecosystems depend on stable digital infrastructure. Electronic visa systems are now baseline expectations rather than value-added conveniences. Competing destinations in South and Southeast Asia have invested heavily in seamless e-visa processing to attract high-yield travellers.
While authorities are working to restore full ETA functionality, analysts suggest that transparent communication and rapid resolution will be critical in containing reputational risk. Strengthening system redundancy and proactive stakeholder engagement could further safeguard confidence.
In the short term, the disruption is unlikely to derail overall arrival momentum if addressed promptly. Nevertheless it serves as a cautionary signal: in a recovery phase built on premium positioning and operational reliability, administrative precision is inseparable from tourism competitiveness.
The post Short-Term UK Visa Glitch Raises Market Confidence Questions in Sri Lanka appeared first on LNW Lanka News Web.
