Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 13 March 2025
In a bid to enhance professionalism in the tourism sector, ensure visitor safety, and create employment opportunities, the Tourism Department has launched a 12-day Tourist Guide Training Program at the Training Hall of the Directorate of Disaster Management, Sri Vijaya Puram. The program, running from March 12 to March 24, 2025, including weekends, is being conducted in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Bhubaneswar.
The initiative aims to equip local unemployed youth with essential skills such as effective communication, historical and cultural knowledge, customer service, safety protocols, and language proficiency—all crucial for excelling as professional tourist guides. By addressing the shortage of well-trained guides, the program seeks to improve the overall experience for visitors to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
During the inaugural session, Dr. Swajan, a resource person from IITTM, provided an overview of the training and emphasized the importance of behavioural skills in the tourism industry. He encouraged participants to become responsible stakeholders in Andaman’s tourism sector and deepen their knowledge of the archipelago to add value to their work.
Meanwhile, Dr. Subramanian from IITTM Bhubaneswar urged trainees to make the most of the opportunity and upgrade their skills to meet industry standards. A total of 100 aspiring tourist guides from different islands have enrolled in the program, reflecting strong local interest in the initiative.
With tourism playing a vital role in the economy of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, this program is expected to empower local youth with job-ready skills while enhancing the overall quality of guided tours for visitors.