International agreement on travel corridor formed between India and Sri Lanka
In a significant move to revive tourism and promote economic ties, India and Sri Lanka have agreed to establish an air travel bubble. This initiative allows quarantine-free or reduced-restriction flights between the two neighboring countries under agreed health protocols.
The travel bubble is set to make travel easier, particularly by air, as ferry services have historically been inconsistent and expensive. This development will boost confidence in travel, with tourists and business travelers able to move without extensive quarantine if they meet health and testing requirements.
Airlines like SriLankan Airlines are expanding connectivity, offering increased flight options and ticket availability to key destinations including India. The MoU between Sri Lanka and Indian travel agencies supports joint promotions and streamlined tourism services, further facilitating travel flows.
India is a significant source market for Sri Lanka tourism, constituting nearly 18.5% of visitors in July 2025 (37,128 visitors). Tourism is a crucial sector for Sri Lanka’s economy, which suffered a 92% drop in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The air travel bubble is expected to stimulate inbound tourism from India, lowering travel barriers and increasing tourist footfall, boosting local businesses, hotels, and attractions.
Initiatives like the City of Dreams Sri Lanka resort opening and partnerships between tourism boards aim to capitalize on this renewed connectivity to attract more high-value tourists. Chamindra Goonewardene, director of sales and marketing at Resplendent Ceylon, believes that the travel bubble will be a game changer for Sri Lanka due to the diversity of experiences it offers, including tea, safari, and culture.
Kimarli Fernando, chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism, stated that Sri Lanka is ready to welcome guests from India safely. The Civil Aviation Ministry of India has announced the agreement to establish an 'air travel bubble' with Sri Lanka, making Sri Lanka an important destination for Indian travelers.
As of the 21st of January, Sri Lanka has been open to international tourists, with visitors able to stay within a travel bubble of selected hotels and sites and exempt from quarantine. This agreement makes Sri Lanka the sixth country in the SAARC to have such an agreement with India.
The air travel bubble between India and Sri Lanka offers streamlined travel protocols that will positively impact Sri Lankan tourism by revitalizing visitor numbers from one of its key markets, supporting economic recovery in the post-pandemic period.
- With the air travel bubble established, tourists and business travelers can now move between India and Sri Lanka without extensive quarantine, boosting travel confidence.
- SriLankan Airlines is expanding its connectivity, providing more flight options and ticket availability to key destinations like India.
- The travel bubble is expected to stimulate inbound tourism from India, benefiting local businesses, hotels, and attractions in Sri Lanka.
- Chamindra Goonewardene, from Resplendent Ceylon, believes that the travel bubble will be a game changer for Sri Lanka due to its diverse experiences, such as tea, safari, and culture.
- Kimarli Fernando, chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism, asserts that Sri Lanka is ready to welcome guests from India safely, making it an important destination for Indian travelers.
- Under the travel bubble agreement, international tourists can stay within a designated travel bubble of selected hotels and sites in Sri Lanka, exempt from quarantine.
