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How to Find the Best Tour Operator in Sri Lanka

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Summary Of The Article Is This Article for You? Do you like a fully personalised tour, with the assistance of a local expert? Do you want to reserve your holiday in advance? Do you like your comfort and staying in nice hotels? Then, getting the experienced and expert assistance of local tour operators/travel agents in Sri Lanka is the way to go. Advantages of Using Local Tour Operators / Travel Agents to Travel in Sri Lanka Looking for massive price advantages and getting a local expert to fully customize a tour depending on your personal preferences, time frame and budget Disadvantages of Using Local Tour Operators / Travel Agents You won’t get to meet them physically, and your overall experience of getting assistance for your holiday planning will be different when compared to an agent that you work with regularly. Types of Tour Operators / Travel Agents in Sri Lanka There are luxury travel focused tour operators / travel agents, budget tour operations and a wide variety in between. You can surely find one that suits your budget and style of traveling. Things to Check Prior to Selecting a Local Tour Operator / Travel Agents Check their online presence, customer reviews and testimonials, their responsiveness to your queries, their language proficiency and their knowledge prior to select the local tour operators / travel agents in Sri Lanka Who are The Best Local Tour Operators / Travel Agents in Sri Lanka A list of 10 local tour operators / travel agents in Sri Lanka with their contact details, reviews. The Internet is bridging the World as we know it. A swift development in communication and information technology has eliminated all the barriers to a connected world, bringing everyone together. Travel and tourism industry is apparently one of the major industries that has been disrupted by this digitalisation and the overall globalization. Let’s look at how you booked your holidays about 25 years ago, you must have to fully depend on local travel agents to plan your holiday. But nowadays, due to the advancement of information technology, you are able to plan your own holiday without any hassle after researching every single concern you have, through the internet and with the support of similar online communities. However, there are still a good amount of pros and perks of getting the assistance of a tour operator, especially if you are planning to visit a country like Sri Lanka. Are you thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka and need some credible assistance in booking and planning your holiday to be seamless? Your best bet is to go for a local tour operator in Sri Lanka. This will avoid the traditional cycle of the holiday reservation and you will be able to get a good price advantage. Ex: – If a person from the United Kingdom prefers to visit Sri Lanka, normally they tend to go to a travel agent such as Trail Finder or Kuoni which are based in the UK. That travel company then contacts the Sri Lankan Destination Management Company (DMC) for the ground handling. DMC will execute the plan arranged by your company back in your country after discussing it with the client. But instead of contacting Kuoni, now the person from the UK can directly contact a local tour operator in Sri Lanka and ask to plan their holiday in Sri Lanka. Cut out the middleman! That’s right. This can be simply done by visiting the websites of the Sri Lanka local tour operators Bellanvila Temple, Colombo. There are number of historical temples are available around the city of ColomboPlease read This Article, if you are not familiar with the wordings of Destination Management Companies (DMC) and Tour Operators / Travel Agents. Do you belong to any of the following categories? Then this article is for you! 1. I would like to have a personalized tour. When you want to have a holiday which is perfectly customized and tailored for your specifications. In this case, contacting a local tour operator in Sri Lanka is the best option. They are the ground experts who can provide the best options for you. 2. I did my research before travel, but I would like to have the assistance of an expert You might have thoroughly researched the travel destination before reaching the destination. However, a place like Sri Lanka where the information is not properly organised, can be a hindrance to maximize your budget and time. Get the assistance of a local tour operator to fill the gap of the ground reality and what have written in the books or the internet. 3. I am not a backpacker, and I want to have a comfortable holiday For backpackers and budget travelers, consulting an online travel agent is always a good way to go since they offer a wide variety of accommodation options that include hostels, homestays and more. However, if you like your comfort and the safety of a nice hotel room during your vacation, reserving through a tour operator / travel agent is ideal in Sri Lankan setup, as agent’s rates are always better than the online rates when it comes to star-rated hotels and other high end specialized accommodation. 4. I would like to prepare my tour well in advance You prefer planning and fully confirming your annual vacation well in advance. Great! By booking through a local tour operator, you can lock the best prices for your reservations with a small advance payment, may be with an Early Bird Discount! Why Should You Use A Local Tour Operator To Plan Your Holiday? 1. Price Advantage The main advantage of using a local tour operator is the massive price advantage that you get with it, when compared to a non-Sri Lankan travel agent back in your own country. There are many reasons for it. The first reason is simple, by contacting a local travel agent directly, you are skipping a few parties in the loop – hence avoiding their mark-up/profits on the final price. The second reason is that compared to the UK, Australia

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Choosing a Rent a Car & a Driver in Sri Lanka

After thorough research for your next holiday destination, you have finally decided on the beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka. You must have used OTAs to reserve your accommodation, and of course, your itinerary can be developed based on various itineraries available online. The next step is crucial: rent a car with a driver/guide in Sri Lanka to take you around the country. Before searching for a driver/guide in Sri Lanka, please take 5 minutes to read about the general practices in car and driver/guide hire in Sri Lanka. The tourism industry is one of the main industries in Sri Lanka and provides a livelihood for many people. You can find some qualified individuals from government institutes, as well as some experienced people who may not have formal qualifications but possess valuable on-the-ground knowledge. As someone connected to the industry, I know that qualifications are just one point to consider, but not a must. The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management is the sole body to train guides and chauffeur guides in Sri Lanka. Once the extensive training is passed by an applicant, he or she becomes a Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) certified personnel, ensuring a certain level of professionalism and knowledge. These guides fall into two categories: SLTDA Certified Guides National Tourist Guides: They typically handle large groups and travel in tourist coaches with a dedicated driver and a helper. Chauffeur Tourist Guides: These guides cater to small groups and parties of 1 to 7 people, conducting tours in air-conditioned cars (maximum capacity 2 people), similar to Toyota flat roof (maximum up to 4 people) and similar to Toyota high roof (maximum up to 7 people) with the guide serving as the driver. SLTDA Certified guides are well-equipped to provide comprehensive services. They have completed the guide course conducted by The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SITHM), allowing them to drive, guide at formal cultural sites, and offer a fluent English language experience. They also possess extensive knowledge of the country’s geography. English Speaking Drivers. These are individuals who have been in the industry but are not qualified. The majority of service providers belong to this group. Proficiency in English may vary, and you can find both skilled and unskilled individuals. Some drivers go the extra mile to provide exceptional service. Drivers. Drivers who are not proficient in languages other than their mother tongue often work alongside qualified guides to offer assistance to tourists. If you are traveling in a coach, apart from the national guide, there will be a driver and a helper. Language Specialized Chauffeur Guides. Language-specialized guides are proficient in languages other than English and the local language. They may either drive the vehicle themselves or travel with a driver. Due to the high demand for their services, their fees can be on the higher side. How Can You Select a Better Driver/Guide? Now that you’re aware of the options available, here’s how you can choose the best guide or driver for your Sri Lankan adventure: Booking through a Travel Agent or DMC: If you’re booking your trip through a travel agent or Destination Management Company (DMC), they will connect you with local guides who are experts in their regions. These professionals have established relationships with the company, ensuring a seamless experience. Independent Travelers: If you’re planning your tour independently, start by selecting the type of guide or driver you prefer. Then, do thorough research to find the right person. Look for online reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor and Google Reviews, or check out their social media profiles on Instagram and Facebook. Recommendations: Social media groups often recommend drivers and guides. Ensure that the recommendations come from trusted sources or reputable accounts to make an informed decision. Can You Self-Drive in Sri Lanka? Driving on Sri Lankan roads is not the best experience unless you are well-experienced in driving in a country in South Asia. Anyway, you can find self-drive tuk-tuks and scooters to travel around the country, but it is tough to find a car, van, or any luxury vehicle mainly due to the insurance facilities. Finally, choosing the right guide or driver is a crucial part of ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience in Sri Lanka. Whether you opt for a certified guide, an English-speaking chauffeur guide, or a language specialist, carefully consider your needs and do your research. By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on a journey filled with cultural richness, natural beauty, and unforgettable memories in Sri Lanka. Rent a car with a driver in Sri Lanka and confidently explore this beautiful island.