Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 14 September 2024
In a bid to strengthen the role of local communities and stakeholders in promoting tourism, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has successfully concluded a three-day training program under its flagship initiatives ‘Paryatan Mitra,’ ‘Paryatan Didi,’ and ‘Swagatham.’ The training, held from September 11-13, 2024, took place at Aapda Prabhandan Bhawan, Link Road, in collaboration with the A & N Administration’s Tourism Department and the India Tourism Office.
The Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Kolkata, served as the training partner for the program, which was designed to enhance the skills of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), food vendors, and taxi drivers—key stakeholders in the region’s tourism industry.
The program concluded with a valedictory function in the Training Hall of Aapda Prabhandan Bhawan. The Director of Tourism, Mr. Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi, IAS, was the chief guest and distributed participation certificates to the 95 successful trainees, including SHG members, food vendors, and cab operators.
In his address, the Director emphasized the importance of tourism in the economy of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He highlighted the proactive measures taken by the Department of Information, Publicity, and Tourism (IP&T) under the guidance of the Chief Secretary, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (IP&T), and Secretary of Tourism to promote the Isles as a top tourist destination.
“The Department acts as a facilitator in tourism promotion, but it is the local stakeholders who truly shape the tourist experience. Their role is crucial as they interact directly with tourists and contribute to the creation of lasting memories,” said the Director. He further stated that programs like these are aimed at improving the soft skills of tourism professionals, which is key to enhancing the overall experience for visitors.
The training program kicked off with the ‘Paryatan Didi’ initiative, which is focused on empowering 30 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the tourism and hospitality sectors. This initiative aims to foster responsible and sustainable tourism, with a strong focus on women’s participation. On the subsequent days, training was conducted under the ‘Paryatan Mitra’ initiative, targeting food vendors and prepaid taxi drivers. Each batch had 30 participants, and the training covered vital aspects of service excellence and visitor management.
Ms. Rabia Bibi, Manager, Tourism, Directorate of IP&T, in her address, underscored the significance of A & N Islands being one of the seven key tourist destinations identified by the Ministry of Tourism for this training.
Mr. Sunit Mondal, Faculty of the Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Kolkata, emphasized that the program aimed to make SHGs and other participants self-reliant. “The skills and knowledge gained here will empower these individuals to offer higher-quality services to tourists, elevating the standard of tourism in the region,” he noted.
The event concluded with feedback from several participants. Lily Grace from NRLM (SHG), Shaktivel (Food Vendor), and Mr. Pramod (Cab Operator) expressed their appreciation for the program, stating that it provided practical insights that could be easily incorporated into their daily work.