27/08/2026
REGISTERING A TOURISM BUSINESS IN SRI LANKA
To register a travel agency (Destination Management Company) with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), your business must comply with strict financial and structural guidelines.
1. FINANCIAL & STRUCTURAL SETUP
The financial threshold and structural requirements vary depending on how you choose to incorporate your business:
2. OPERATIONAL CRITERIA
👉🏼 Sole Business Focus: The company’s Articles of Association must explicitly state that its sole objective is operating as a travel agency.
👉🏼 Shareholding: For local licensing advantages, the majority of shares should be held by Sri Lankan citizens. Note that foreign individuals cannot operate travel agencies as sole proprietorships.
👉🏼 Physical Office: You must maintain a formal, dedicated office space equipped to handle bookings. Home-based setups do not qualify for standard licenses.
👉🏼 Staffing: You must employ at least three professionally qualified or experienced staff membersspecializing in ticketing, transport management, and accommodation reservations. At least one staff member must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language other than English.
👉🏼Digital Presence: Your business must possess an integrated website detailing tour packages, terms and conditions, emergency contacts, and the official Sri Lanka Tourism promotional banner.
3. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR SLTDA PORTAL
When you upload your application to the SLTDA Registration Portal, you need to provide:
👉🏼 Certified Business Registration Copies: True copies affirmed by an Attorney-at-Law or Justice of the Peace.
👉🏼 The Original Bank Guarantee: Formatted exactly to the specimen required by the SLTDA.
👉🏼 Staff Declaration: A list of staff members with their National Identity Card (NIC) numbers and designations on your company letterhead.
👉🏼 Proof of Office Space: Lease agreement or deed for your commercial address.
👉🏼 Declaration of Non-Conviction: Legal declaration signed by the directors or proprietor.
👉🏼List of Activities: A comprehensive list of the specific travel services you plan to offer.
4. APPLICATION FLOW
👉🏼 Submit your application online; copies marked as "true copies" by a lawyer must be sent via the SLTDA's specified courier service (do not hand-deliver or send originals).
👉🏼 The SLTDA will grant a 6-month provisional registration.
👉🏼 An on-site physical inspection of your office will be conducted during this period.
👉🏼 Upon successful evaluation, a formal license is issued and must be renewed annually.
Note: If your travel agency intends to sell international air ticketing directly, you must separately obtain an Air Transport Provider's License from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).
✅ If you are ready, We can outline the steps to register a Private Limited Liability Company (Pvt Ltd) with the Registrar of Companies, or provide details on SLTDA licensing fees. Which would you like to explore next? 074 110 4234