TUI has announced further cancellations for holidays to Sri Lanka, due to ongoing civil unrest in the popular hotspot.
Last month Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency as the country faces a crippling economic crisis with shortages including food, medicine, fuel and power. As a result there have been protests across the nation, including protestors who have stormed government buildings.
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka “due to the impact of the current economic crisis” although it adds that the advice “does not apply to airside transit through Sri Lanka’s international airport”.
The FO also warns of further “protests, demonstrations, roadblocks and violent unrest” which could occur at short notice.
A travel ban had originally been put in place in May and subsequently lifted, only for the restrictions to be reinstated later in the day.
As a result, TUI has been cancelling Sri Lanka holidays since May, although this has been done in batches, no doubt so that the travel firm can prioritise those who are due to travel in coming weeks.
In the latest series of cancellations, TUI has called off holidays through to August 22, 2022.
A statement issued on the travel giant’s radar read: “Due to the ongoing political and economic instability in Sri Lanka, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have advised against all but essential travel.
“As a result, we’ve unfortunately had to cancel all holidays to Sri Lanka departing up to and including 22 August 2022.
“We will be proactively contacting all impacted customers in departure date order to discuss their options.
“Please note this advice does not apply to customers transiting through Sri Lanka’s international airport and customers currently in resort can continue to enjoy their holiday as planned.