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Saturday Sep 28, 2024
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couples in the UK (the most popular source market for weddings and honeymoons in Sri Lanka) are required to obtain business visa instead of tourist as previously followed. There is more documentation in addition to validation requirement as well.
Sources said documents such as unmarried/free to marry certificate has to be certified by the UK Foreign Office and legalised by the Sri Lanka High Commission in UK. Earlier if the documents were certified by a Solicitor it was sufficient.
Another is after marriage, the certificate and translation has to be certified by the Ministry of External Affairs. Earlier the requirement was only a certification by a Registrar.
Industry analysts said that following worldwide publicity by Kuoni that Sri Lanka is the best wedding destination, there has been demand by couples to make their once-in-a-lifetime vows in Sri Lanka. This in turn saw not only the couple but immediate families and friends accompanying them and local community and those who are usually associated with a wedding ceremony benefitting, such as traditional drummers dancers, craftsmen and even elephant mahouts.
A spokesman for one luxury resort in the south said the requirement of business visa and new rules on certification have dented the demand for Sri Lanka for weddings and unless regulations are reversed to the former status quo, this lucrative segment of weddings and honeymoons tourism would get seriously impacted.
Kuoni, the world’s leading tour operator at the World Travel Awards for the past 11 years and Britain’s favourite as well as its best longhaul tour operator for the past 27 years, promotes Sri Lanka as its best wedding destination. Countries such as Mauritius, Caribbean, Thailand, Bali, Hawaii and Italy are ranked below Sri Lanka.
“Weddings in the UK can be fraught with weather worries, anxieties about being late because of the traffic and quarrels about seating plans. Having an overseas wedding in a romantic location removes stress for the couple, enabling them to focus on each other and to have a day to remember for all the right reasons,” Harley Street psychotherapist and health writer Christine Webber is quoted as saying in Kuoni’s website.
The company’s expert weddings concierge teams help interested couples to create and enjoy a hassle-free perfect wedding in Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka, the tropical teardrop island at the toe of India, is one of the most exotic and beautiful islands in the world. With its mystical ancient cities, thick jungles, miles of palm-fringed beaches, unique culture and genuinely warm and hospitable people, this unforgettable destination is the perfect location to seal your love,” states Kuoni, in its promotional material.
“If you want to stay on and explore this lush island, extend your trip to include a dream Sri Lanka honeymoon. Unwind in a luxurious spa, watch baby elephants play at Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, and go diving among mysterious ancient shipwrecks.”
It also lists some of Kunoi’s favourite Sri Lanka resorts to make couple’s vows: The recently-refurbished Jetwing Sea sits on the beach in Negombo and boasts wondrous ocean views – perfect for watching the sun go down. Wedding package here includes dancers and drummers, and 42 photos from your special day. Fortress is an exquisite boutique property that echoes Old Ceylon style. Marry here and enjoy a romantic breakfast on your balcony the next morning. Mount Lavinia sits on a stunning promontory and oozes old-world charm. Wedding couples enjoy a ‘going away’ by vintage car and savour a lobster dinner, plus champagne breakfast the following day.
The murder of British tourist Khuram Shaikh and injury to his Russian girl friend in Tangalle in 2011, is likely to have impacted holidays by UK couples to Sri Lanka, analysts opined.
Despite the negativities, tourist arrivals from UK in the first nine months have increased by 11% to 90,714. In September arrivals were bit subdued nudging up by only 5.6% to 9,070, but down from 12,353 in August, which overall produced the third highest ever monthly arrival of 100,224.
Sri Lanka attracted 801,210 tourists in the first nine months of 2013, up by 15.5% over the corresponding period of last year.
