Tour operators call for restructure of payments

Sarath Malalasekera

The Chauffeur Tourist Guide Lecturers’ Association of Sri Lanka (CTGLA), is a body of professionals trained and licensed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and has been functioning for nearly two decades.

CTGLA President Sri Lal Munasinghe, said that a vast majority of our members engage in providing their vehicles along with guide services to foreign tourists visiting our country. The total investment by the Chauffeur Guides in providing these facilities had been nearly Rs.3,000 Million.

The Chauffeur Guide first meets with the visitor on his arrival at the airport and takes over the responsibility of taking him around the country to show and provide a clear picture of our archaeological, historical, cultural and natural heritages. By providing these services, he helps to project the image of Sri Lanka to the outside world.

However, only Rs.26 to 28 per kilometer is paid for the vehicle. The Tourism Development Authority has approved a sum of Rs. 50 per kilometer for trishaws. It has become nearly impossible to us in continuing to provide this service.

A person has to spend about Rs.100,000 to complete the training course. This matter had not drawn the attention of anybody.

The payment of the guide fee is around Rs.300 per day and the annual renewal fee of the guide license is Rs.3,500.

The CTGLA President emphasized that their Association has written to the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators giving actual costs per kilometer, under the present price structures and copies of this letter have been circulated among the Tourism Ministry, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and major tour operators.

There had been no response from any quarter until March 8, 2012.

A discussion has been summoned by the Sri Lanka Toursim Development Authority (SLTDA), on March 8 and we were informed that as a discussion with SLAITO would be arranged after SLAITO Representatives return from the ITB Berlin Fair.

We hope that this would be a fruitful discussion.

On March 9, 2012, we received a letter dated March 5, 2012 from the Vice President of SLAITO, saying that he would be away in Berlin from March 6 to 25, 2012 and he would promptly respond to our letter on his return.

We reliably understand that the majority of SLAITO represntatives would retun to the country on March 9 and March10, 2012.

The General Secretry of CTGLA C. A. Dharmarathne, said if there was no proper solution to this issue, it would become impossible for us to provide the necessary vehicles for the transportation of tourists in the future, while the tourism industry would be in danger.