Govt. to revise fees to enter heritage sites
View(s):The government is currently working out a possible revision of entrance fees to heritage sites in the wake of calls by the industry regarding ‘high’ rates.
Discussions are currently underway with the relevant authorities including a Tourism Task Force established to look into the possible adjustments regarding fees to heritage sites, Tourism and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga told the Business Times on Monday.
He noted that they were looking at revising the rates on the entrance to heritage sites in the wake of calls by the tourists in this regard.
The minister noted that they had to heed the calls of travellers and were taking up the matter with the relevant authorities. The authorities in charge of these sites were the Department of Archeology, the Wildlife Conservation Department, the National Botanical Gardens, the Central Cultural Fund and the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth).
Tour operators had in the past written to the authorities regarding sudden increases of entrance fees to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Temple of the Tooth.
Authorities at the Tourism Authority had stated that there was a need to increase the availability of facilities at these sites as well.
It is believed that local tour packages were high priced compared to its competitors in other regions mainly because of the high rates charged at the entrance to the heritage sites.
The tour operators have pointed out in the letter that increased rates have created dissatisfaction among visitors to the island as a result of which these attractions are skipped in the tour packages and only promoted as an optional visit.
Entrance rates (current exchange rates) at local sites are Sigiriya (US$35), Dalada Maligawa ($13), Dambulla Cave Temple ($10) and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens ($10).
It was highlighted in a letter to the authorities that some of the world renowned places like the Taj Mahal in India, Giza Pyramids in Egypt and Borobudur in Indonesia were not as much to visit at US$17, $10 and $15 respectively.
A Heritage Committee is currently working on this matter and is yet to be finalized, a member of the task force told the Business Times.
Subsequently a Cabinet Sub Committee would be appointed to study the issue and the next meeting on the subject is expected to be held on August 26, the minister said.