Read together with our Booking Conditions, Sri Lanka advice and Why Red Dot?

How can I best contact you?
Red Dot operates primarily as an Internet company, with the aim of providing flexible and wide-ranging information as well as highly-competitive prices. This means that wherever possible we prefer to communicate by e-mail. This allows us to respond effectively to your queries either from the UK or directly from Colombo. It also allows us to deal effectively with enquiries from anywhere in the world. This method is not as impersonal as it sounds! If UK customers need to speak to us directly, about a specific matter, please leave a message at Red Dot’s UK office and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Do you have a brochure?
Red Dot’s holiday brochure is our Internet site, which offers the information that you need. We only print a traditional brochure for cricket holidays. We believe that extensive use of the Internet allows us to respond flexibly to changing circumstances, such as price cuts and last-minute offers, and offer a wider range of holidays, while keeping our administration and marketing costs to a minimum. That is reflected in our prices and our wide range of holidays.

How should I prepare before I contact you?
Please take a good look around our website to get a good idea of what most interests you. All the pre-planning you do is to your advantage as it helps provide the exact holiday you need. Changes of mind are inevitable, and we are always willing to respond, but it can be frustrating when hotels and flights can become unavailable while itineraries are being fine-tuned.

Do I need a visa in Sri Lanka, the Maldives or India?
Holders of passports from the vast majority of countries, including UK, Ireland, United States, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and India, can holiday in Sri Lanka and the Maldives as bona fida tourists for up to 30 days. If you are travelling for longer, or on business, or wish to check further, visa forms and full information are available from the Sri Lankan High Commission, London, at http://www.slhclondon.org/ or tel +44 020 7262 1841 or your nearest Sri Lankan High Commission.

You WILL need a visa for India. All foreign nationals, including children, require a visa to enter India. Please do not finalise your travel arrangements to India before ascertaining your visa requirements. Contact the Indian High Commission or visit the website of the Indian High Commission in London at http://www.hcilondon.net/ for more details.

In all cases, it is advisable to have six months left on your passport at time of travel.

Is the information that I provide to you safe?
Information provided in our payment centre is protected by HSBC secure servers. We never spam or pass on your information to any third party. We shall only send you occasional information, such as a free quarterly emailed newsletter, if you specifically request it.

Many companies talk of imagining their "perfect client". What is yours?
Somebody who shares our affection for Sri Lanka, or who is enthusiastic about discovering its many attractions. Somebody who believes in working with us to devise a suitable and satisfying holiday and to solve together any difficulties that may arise from time to time.

Are you ATOL registered for my extra protection (UK only)?
Yes. Our ATOL no is 5517. The Air Travel Organisers’ Licence is the UK government-backed scheme managed by the Civil Aviation Authority and gives security for all air packages sold by UK tour operators. If a company stops trading, you’ll get a refund. If you’re abroad at the time, you’ll be able to finish your holiday and fly home. Discover more at http://www.caa.co.uk/cpg/atol/default.asp Like a large majority of independent, small travel company, we are not members of ABTA.

My holiday will start outside the UK. Does ATOL protection Still cover me?
Yes, under the following circumstances:

Civil Aviation Authority regulations state: "Where the customer is outside the UK when the booking is made, the policy of the CAA is that the customer should be protected by the ATOL bond if both of two tests are met: the first leg of the licensable journey must depart from the UK and the flight or holiday must be advertised primarily in the UK.'' If you travel via the UK, you will be covered from your UK return to UK departure. Please note that accommodation-only deals are not covered by ATOL-bonding.

I don’t want a full tailor-made holiday. Are you flexible enough to help?
Red Dot values independently-minded customers. We believe that by buying flights, accommodation and transfers from us you receive many advantages. But we are happy to provide as little as one night’s accommodation. Just tell us what you need.

(Note: An accommodation-only deal can give you less protection than a full package holiday. Please familiarise yourself with our booking conditions)

When is my holiday actually confirmed?
Travel industry regulations demand that you receive a Confirmation Invoice once your holiday has been agreed and booked. You will also receive other useful information before you travel. You must then arrange payment as laid down in our booking conditions (see next question). Until then, there is no contract between you and Red Dot.

How can I pay for my holiday?

Payment must normally be made within seven days of the issue of the Confirmation Invoice. This payment may be required immediately in the case of last-minute bookings, or in special cases, in which case you will be informed of this.

Red Dot offers payment by the following methods:

(i) On-line credit card payments: Credit-card payments should be made in GBP£ on the website on a secure HSBC site. We accept Visa, Mastercard and Maestro. Maestro is free of charge. Visa and Mastercard carry these additional charges: Payments £300 and below: £5. Payments above £300: £10.

(ii) UK cheques: Cheques should be made out to Red Dot Tours Ltd and incur no extra charge.

(iii) Bank transfer to our UK GBP£ account. By request only. Bank name: HSBC Bank, 11 North St, Wetherby, West Yorks, UK, LS22 6NT. Name of account: Red Dot Tours Ltd. Acct no: 61311786. Sort-code: 40-46-21. Swift code: MIDLGB22. BIC Code: MIDLGB2162V. IBAN: GB26MIDL40462161311786.

Note: (1) Customer should pay all bank charges for bank transfers.

Note: (2) In all these cases, we levy no hidden charges such as postage or booking fees.

What if I have to cancel my holiday?
Above all, let us know. We expect our customers to take their holiday bookings as seriously as we do. But we recognise that holidays are occasionally cancelled for valid reasons. Our cancellation charges in our booking conditions apply, at our discretion, in case we cannot recover payments and admin costs committed on your behalf. If you fail to tell us that you no longer wish to travel, those costs increase. So please do not avoid the issue – get in touch.

Do you promote only certain hotels?
We have our favourites – everybody does. We also expect certain standards of hygiene, comfort and service. But we are not limited to a small range of hotels. We fiercely protect our independence and deal with all hotel companies and independent owners. We will seek to ascertain what hotel best suits your preferences and your budget, and we will also happily respond to your specific requests. At all times, we will seek to negotiate the best rate possible.

Do you pre-book flights and accommodation, in the way that many package-holiday companies do?
Rarely. We may do at peak times such as Christmas or the summer holidays, when availability is scarce. Pre-booking would tempt us to promote a hotel to our clients that may not be suitable, just to fill the space. When an itinerary is finalised, we then confirm availability of flights and accommodation. That is why we advise early bookings (see next question).

Why do you advise 'book early'?
Because we do not pre-book flights and accommodation. Delay risks rising prices and unavailability. We can – and do – offer excellent late deals, but booking about four-six months in advance (even longer for Christmas and Easter) offers the best chance of satisfaction.

Can I pre-book seat numbers or request extra leg room on the flight??
SriLankan Airlines only pre-books requested seat numbers for passengers travelling first or business class or for members of their Skywards Frequent Flyer programme. If you are a member of Skywards, you should inform us when you book your flights. SriLankan will not book specific seat numbers in economy class. These must be allocated at check-in. Red Dot therefore only makes such representations on behalf in extreme cases, and advises that you make representations to the airline directly – either by letter or by arriving at the check-in desk early, where your needs can best be considered.

I have a medical condition that may need special assistance on the flight or during my stay. What should I do?
We recommend that you contact your doctor, at least a month before departure, and request that full details of your condition are provided in writing. We will then forward this information to the airline, ground agents, or hotels as appropriate.

I am interested in one of your specialist tours, but I want to make one or two changes. Is this possible?
Red Dot offers flexibility and can respond to requests to adjust itineraries. We will advise if we believe these to be realistic. On occasions, these adjustments may invite a surcharge.

When will my flight tickets arrive?
Flight tickets will generally be provided at least two weeks before travel, to the address on your confirmation invoice. If you require different arrangements, please give us as much notice as possible. If your address or email details change, please tell us!

Why have we not received any hotel vouchers? Is our booking confirmed?
Red Dot does not supply vouchers to customers before travel. This increases admin costs, and therefore the cost of your holiday, as well as adding to the possibility that you might leave your vouchers behind. Our ground agents have booked hotels as shown on your itinerary. If you have arranged transport, vouchers will normally be handled by your driver during your stay. If you have arranged accommodation without transport, all necessary hotel vouchers will normally be sent directly to the hotels concerned.

Can I drive my own car in Sri Lanka?
In common with other travel companies, we advise our clients not to undertake self-drive car hire unless they are highly experienced in driving conditions in this part of the world. However, self-drive car hire can be arranged in specific circumstances.

Will we be met at the airport?
If you have booked airport transfers, you will be met by our ground agents at Katanayake airport. They can be found, normally with Red Dot board, just outside the arrivals hall. We do not arrange airport meet-and-greets in your own country, except in overriding circumstances.

If I book a car and driver, will I be hassled to make excursions or shopping trips?
Our drivers are in possession of a strict Drivers’ Code, in which your safety and satisfaction are the priority. We recommend that you contact our Colombo office if you have problems in this regard. (See our transport section for full details). The driver knows your itinerary and is expected to follow it. How much he also acts as a guide depends upon your individual wishes. He may offer additional excursions or shopping visits, but must immediately respect your decision to say `no.’ Additional excursions may be subjected to an extra charge.

Can Red Dot recommend any shopping outlets?
Red Dot provides an on-line guide to a selection of Colombo shops as part of a general guide to the capital. But please note that Red Dot does not officially recommend, or accept commission from, any Sri Lanka outlet and therefore cannot take any responsibility for the quality of goods sold. Any opinions expressed by Red Dot drivers are solely their own views and do not constitute company recommendations. The sole exception to this is where goods are ordered directly through us (eg cricket clothing). If you make a purchase, you should be aware that you may face unexpected extra costs for tax, handling charges, customs, and delivery fees. In Australia, for example, fumigation certificates may also prove a problem.

Can I change my itinerary when I am in Sri Lanka?
Our Colombo office is willing to respond to requests for changes of hotel or a sudden change of itinerary. We recognise that new discoveries can bring the temptation for a change of plan. In some cases, however, it must be understood that such changes may prove impossible. Others will necessarily accrue a surcharge. Read your departure letter for contact numbers.

I have heard that return flights have to be reconfirmed when we are in Sri Lanka? Is this true?
If you have booked a holiday, including flights, with Red Dot, our ground agents will take care of this for you. If you have arranged your own flights, please check directly with the airline or your flight agent. It is your responsibility to ensure that the necessary steps are taken.

What if people need to contact me in an emergency when I’m in Sri Lanka?
Red Dot provides an information sheet, upon your departure, with contact numbers for our agents and a list of hotel phone numbers. We can also provide a list of hotel phone numbers on request. Mobile phones operate in all major areas and you can buy pay-as-you-go Sri Lankan SIM cards on arrival. The Colombo office can also pass on messages in an emergency. We recommend that you leave a copy of all these numbers, plus a copy of your itinerary, with appropriate friends or relatives.

I’m looking for a low-season holiday to obtain the best prices. At what time of year can I find the best deals?
Consider June and early July, using the East coast rather than the deep South. November can offer good value for the West and South. Avoid Christmas, Easter and school summer holidays.

What do you advise about money?
Credit cards are widely accepted in bars and restaurants. In Colombo, and other major centres such as Galle and Kandy, there are an increasing number of ATM machines, so cash can be easily withdrawn. You should not rely on this option in more far-flung destinations. Note that Scotland and Northern Ireland notes are NOT accepted. Travellers cheques are still widely used, but are not accepted as direct transactions in bars and restaurants. If you are cashing a travellers cheque, bank rates are better than hotel rates but the process can take longer. The banks in the airport arrivals hall offer excellent value and our ground agents will wait until you have made the transaction. As anywhere in the world, guard your money, credit cards and travellers cheques safely and use safety-deposit boxes if possible. You cannot buy Sri Lankan rupees in advance.

We took some fantastic photographs in Sri Lanka. Should I send you some?
Yes please!


Please also read our Sri Lanka advice, Booking Conditions and Why Red Dot? Any further questions can be answered by e-mail or at our UK office 01937-842846.

Registered as a Ltd. Company at Companies House.
Company No: 4007363.
Directors: C Austin, D Hopps.