Jetwing Travels, SLTDA award certificates to forty-six first batch chauffeurs
Jetwing Travels in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) conducted a programme to train and recognise tourist chauffeurs with the aim of developing knowledgeable, service-oriented certified professional chauffeurs who will meet the demands of discerning travellers while promoting Sri Lanka’s image as a top tourist destination.
Jetwing Travels ensures that everyone who serves their customers in the front line is well trained by professional trainers.
On September 4th, 46 chauffeurs from Batch -01 were awarded certificates and identity cards by the Director-general of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority – Upali Ratnayake together with the participation of Director of Standards & Quality Assurance - Tharanga Rupasinghe and the Chairman of Jetwing –Shiromal Cooray at a ceremony held at the Jetwing House Auditorium, Colombo.
Since the Chauffeur Guide is the first point of contact, he is accountable for building a positive perception of our beautiful nation in the hearts and minds of our visitors.
Hence, the purpose of this certificate course is to develop an individual who can incorporate the latest concepts of Sri Lankan tourism, whilst also cultivating a positive attitude within themselves. This programme also aimed at inculcating traditional Sri Lankan values of hospitality such as providing services with a smile, thus paving the way towards a great customer service experience.
A Chauffeur Guide makes the difference between an ordinary trip and a treasured one. They inspire and inform. They possess the influential power to transform a traveller’s journey. Some have had humble backgrounds and little formal education and yet they awe us with their knowledge, empathy and multitalented hidden skills.
“We had to unlearn and learn most things. It was not just training for chauffeurs, but a grooming lesson and how we can make our guests smile throughout their stay in our country. I love the recognition. Jetwing Travels comprehends the amount of work, effort and the ability required to offer outstanding performance and guarantee that a guest’s trip accelerates from being ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent’, said Sanjay Jayawardene, Jetwing Travels Batch Top Award-winning Chauffeur Guide.
The course content includes a wide range of topics and is not limited to wildlife, archaeology, ethics and personal excellence. The certificate course also provides a convenient stepping stone to the Chauffeur Guide Licence Programme conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.
“Whether a chauffeur is with a guest for half a day or a whole month, we are all too cognizant that these individuals are the regular face or the front end of our organisation and ought to be treated with the reverence and dignity which they richly deserve. It has always been heartening to see how honoured and enthused our chauffeurs are in steadfastly aiding our guests throughout each Jetwing Tour.”
“Executed for the first time in the syllabus of Chauffeur Guide Training in Sri Lanka Tourist Board. The main target is to create quality chauffeurs who excel in supreme customer service. The value behind all these exercises would be the opportunities shared with all others. In the modern-day, the demand for exchange earning is high and is necessary. It is a national requirement which is fulfilled through this course. Value to the whole nation. Guests will not get frustrated, hospitality value is kept where needed,” said Upali Ratnayake, Director General Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
As we’ve grown, we have upgraded the format of our certificate programme and now use the event as an opportunity to deliver interactive sessions, training, organisation and industry updates and also as a way to embolden our Chauffeur Guides to voice their opinion, propose developments and engage with each other, while presenting guests more authentic and inspiring experiences, by permitting them to share personal stories, irrespective of their background.
“There is a higher purpose in what we are doing. This is not just a Chauffeur Training. Treat your guests as your friends. Give the best of yourselves for our country. Tourism is the biggest foreign currency earning industry in the country, placed at no. 3, we can easily be no. 1. As tourism professionals, we contribute a lot to human society, you can impact a person by providing a great service and a great story to experience. You are the focal point in this journey, people relish a country through you.
“As a Chauffeur Guide, you need to know your facts well, how you present yourself and the stories you weave around. This is a 6-star country: why are we selling it cheap. We should be proud of our country and convey that in all our undertakings. You are the ambassadors who take the country forward, you possess the ability to change a person’s life by giving an unforgettable experience.
“Uplift the image of your profession by behaving respectfully. It’s a fabulous industry with a lot of scope: but now the industry is changing, roles of tourism professionals are changing. If we all work together, we can make Sri Lanka one of the best tourist destinations in the world,” said Shiromal Cooray, Chairman – Jetwing.
Engaging our Chauffeur Guides has had an unbelievable influence on providing more localised travel experiences for our guests as they now obtain more tailored, often impromptu experiences, including dining with local families, wandering off the beaten path and establishing bonds that last a lifetime.