Tourist ventures with ‘foreigners only’ policy to face licence cancellation

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) yesterday issued a fresh warning to some of the hospitality service providers, who have opted back for ‘foreigners only’ policy with the increase in tourist arrivals to the country. 

Having received several complaints regarding discriminatory practices followed by some tourist establishments against locals, the SLTDA cautioned that continuing to do so will result in the cancellation of licences.

“Our constitution affords the equal right to all citizens; where no person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, of anyone such grounds, be subjected to any disability, liability, restriction, or condition concerning access to shops, public restaurants, hotels, places of public entertainment and places of worship,” the SLTDA said in a statement to the media yesterday.

Should there be a formal complaint and found to have been discriminatory, SLTDA said it would not hesitate to suspend or cancel license, including informing travellers and notifying online travel agencies to abstain from taking bookings.

”Domestic tourists have stood by our industry through difficult times and it’s our citizens who have supported our industry right throughout. For that, as industry stakeholders, we should be grateful,” the SLTDA said.

Meanwhile, the authority urged locals to be brand ambassadors for the industry and the country and ensure they follow the necessary rules and guidelines when visiting tourist sites and properties.

“It is our duty to support an important industry sector to recover and prosper,” the SLTDA stressed.
Tourist establishments too can make complaints to the SLTDA to take action against guests who neither care for the property nor adhere to stated requirements of the establishments.