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Check these exploiters

Those watchers of the local tourism sector who were relieved at the signs of its gradual recovery are likely to greet, with a degree of dejection a letter published in our 'Readers' Mail' column yesterday, which complains of discriminatory levying of fees in regard to foreign tourists at many tourist attractions in this country.

The letter writer, N. Scott from the UK, questions why foreign tourists are charged a very much higher admission fee to popular tourist attractions, such as the "World's End" in Horton Plains and Sigiriya, than local tourists and sightseers. "We feel that we are being 'ripped off' and it leaves a bad taste in the mouth", the writer complains.

Those familiar with the local tourism scene are likely to confirm this allegation of disproportionate and excessive fees and charges being levied from foreign tourists at local scenic spots and tourist haunts. If the same facilities and entertainment are being offered to all visitors to the same site, we do not see why foreign tourists should be charged excessively for them. In fact, a unified fee structure would be the ideal that natural justice dictates.

We do not believe that visitors to this country who help contribute towards our national income should be discriminated against in this manner, for, exploitation it would very well be if fee differentials in respect of foreign and local tourists are imposed arbitrarily. In fact, we would welcome any clarifications from the tourism authorities if there is any sound basis to the wide disparities in the levied fees.

To sections of the local populace, unfortunately, the Western tourist in particular, is a veritable icon of prosperity and wealth. White, in other words, spells wealth and affluence. This is not always necessarily so. In fact the vast majority of Western holidaymakers here are mainly of middle class origin and tour our part of the world on the basis of their hard-earned money. They are by no means, always, what are described as "up-market customers". This fact is lost on local parasitic elements who make a fast buck off these tourists.

These irregularities need to be put right swiftly if the current, relative upturn in tourist arrivals is to be further improved. One of the most effective means of making Sri Lanka more attractive to foreign tourists is to enhance our hospitality and our spirit of friendliness towards these visitors. This would help increase the number of tourist arrivals whereas a growing notoriety on the part of Lanka as a centre of tourist exploitation, would only hamper our tourist promotion drive.

It is certainly not the pleasantest of experiences to be hounded by persons who are out to cash in on one's ignorance of the land, no sooner one sets foot on this soil. This is, however, the nightmarish experience of most Western tourists in particular. They are swarmed by touts of various kinds no sooner they decide to see the country. This amounts to mental harassment, among other things, and it would be in Lanka's own interest to curb these parasitic practices by some locals.

The facilities need to be in place which would enable these tourists to seek the protection of the law quickly when needed. Besides, tourists need to be directed only to authorized and recognized local tour operators who would render an honest service. Foreign tourists also need to be put through orientation courses before setting foot here.

Money eclipsing skill

Our much vaunted and already highly paid cricketers are now locked in a battle with the Cricket Control Board over how much they ought to be paid for appearing in the Cricket World Cup to be played in South Africa and Zimbabwe next month.

The cricketers are holding out for 15% of the money that the International Cricket Council is to pay the Board for sending a team to the tournament. Traditionally these funds are used for the development of the game in rural areas.

In negotiating with the Board, the cricketers have shown considerable sagacity, unity and nerve, even hiring a former Test player to do the deal for them.

In the meantime, this team which is ranked third in the World Cup line-up have heaped defeat upon defeat on themselves to the bitter disappointment of their fans back home in the VB one-day tournament now being played in Australia. In most of their outings, they have failed to function as a team and their only consistency has been to fall regularly.

There are a few matches left in the VB tournament but it is almost impossible for this side to qualify for the finals of this tourney.

We admire the determination the players have shown in negotiating for more money, but we wish they had shown those admirable qualities when facing the likes of Glen McGrath and Shane Warne.

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