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TA successful collaboration between John Keells Foundation, Whittalls Travels and Walkers Tours resulted in an initiation of a project in July 2021 for our very own chauffeur guides and drivers. The training was conducted by Gateway College to uplift the English language of these chauffeur guides.n Two batches of chauffeur guides were trained with English skills. he classes started from 25th of Aug 2021 and conducted for 4 hours per week. 84 chauffeur guides were benefitted through this program.
English language program for children of our Chauffeur Guides was conducted in liaison with John Keells Foundation & Gateway college. A total of 36 students successfully completed the program which covered 15 hours in total. The program was carried to different levels of children such as Foundation level, Intermediate Level and Higher Educational level.
First-aid is a key ingredient in making a client’s travel experience a safe one. At Walkers Tours, we make an extra effort to create a safe space for our clients and of course our front-line ambassadors, the guides. This is why our guides are educated on first aid through training whose knowledge on first aid can certainly go a long way in case of an emergency.
The first-aid training was last held in 2018 where 158 chauffeur guides were trained by the professionals of John Ambulance Association and Brigade in Sri Lanka. The training will be annually conducted and the training for 2022 is scheduled to be held in December. The programme will cover health and safety guidelines on steps to be taken during emergency situations.
Under the umbrella of John Keells Foundation that brings together a large number of volunteers from across the John Keells Group including volunteers from Walkers Tours, the John Keells Vision project is executed every year. The project aims to test the eyesight of students from schools across the island and identify those who are in need of spectacles.
The defensive driving training programme was last held in November 2016. Conducted by the International Institute of Professional and Safe Drivers, the sole representative and accredited trainer in Sri Lanka for Royal Organisation for Safety and Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and National Safety Council - USA, the programme took place within 8 full days where 200 chauffeur guides and drivers were trained. The sessions comprised of theoretical and practical knowledge on how to be safe, effective and efficient on the road. Following these full day trainings, certificates were presented to all chauffeur guides and drivers. The programme is being organised for 2022 by the Customer Care and Transport Divisions of Walkers Tours targeting the participation of 200 chauffeurs and drivers.
Our guides are the face and voice of not only Walkers Tours but also of Sri Lankan people, culture, and heritage. At the same time, they are also the guardians of our clients during a client’s tour. This makes it our responsibility to bring out the best in them and have them equipped with the necessary skills.
To meet with this objective, Walkers Tours engage in organising skill development programmes in the form of general trainings comprising of information on handling tours ethically, safely and professionally in line with our sustainable tourism goals bi-annually. Pocket trainings and workshops are also carried out focusing on market and agent specific requirements.
The first training series for last year was held within a period of four days from end of March – to the beginning of April 2021 prioritising on Covid safety while the second series was held in December 2021 for two days focusing on general guidelines, professionalism and sustainability. The number of participants included 144 and 87 respectively.
"Tourism for All - promoting and facilitating accessibility for all"
We are the first inbound tour company to specialise in this area to promote Sri Lanka as an accessible country, For the first time in Sri Lanka, AYU by Walkers Tours has developed the very first wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) and has carefully selected a list of partner hotels that accommodate special needs. Tours promoting a number of attractions with wheelchair accessibility coupled with experiences that provide necessary infrastructure adds to AYU’s distinct hallmark making it easy for tourists that need the extra help.
The latest addition to the portfolio is the all-terrain wheelchair which allows determined travelers to explore hiking and beach experiences overcoming rough terrains.
Ayu brand – focusing medical, wellness and accessible tourism.
