Travel agents must ensure guests conform to health guidelines

All travel agents and tourist operators in Sri Lanka who do not ensure that tourists arriving in the country follow health guidelines will be blacklisted after January 21 when the country is opened for tourists.

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said “if someone violates health guidelines, it will affect the entire tourism industry. Therefore, stern action will be taken against violators,” he added.

Minister Ranathunga was addressing a seminar on Tourism Operational Guidelines formulated by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) catering to travel agents, hoteliers, MICE tourism industry members, tour guides  and chauffeurs held at Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management yesterday.

It is mandatory for all tourism service providers, travel agents, tour operators, tour guides and chauffeurs who engage with tourists to be registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

The SLTDA should also be informed of an itinerary including visiting sites and stops during journeys of tourists.

The SLTDA will monitored groups from their arrival until departure including visiting sites during tourists stay in Sri Lanka.

A special monitoring center will be set up at the SLTDA premises for this purpose.

Source: https://dailynews.lk/2021/01/13/local/238678/travel-agents-must-ensure-guests-conform-health-guidelines-minister