Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 16 March 2025
The Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Bhubaneswar, has launched a 12-day skill development training program on tour guiding, aimed at empowering unemployed local youth. The program, running from March 12 to March 24, 2025, including weekends, is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to pursue a career in the thriving tourism sector.
One of the key features of this training program is its focus on French language instruction, catering to the increasing influx of French tourists to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The language sessions will help participants bridge communication gaps and offer a more immersive experience for French-speaking travellers, fostering greater cultural understanding and enhancing visitor satisfaction.
In addition to language training, the program includes modules on cultural sensitivity, guiding techniques, history, heritage, conservation, hospitality, and communication skills. These elements are aimed at providing a comprehensive skill set to local youth, preparing them to meet the diverse needs of the tourism industry. The training is led by experts from IITTM Bhubaneswar, who have tailored the curriculum to address both practical and theoretical aspects of tour guiding.
This initiative is in line with the Andaman and Nicobar Administration’s broader vision of improving the quality of tourist services and boosting the local tourism economy. The program’s emphasis on French language skills is particularly relevant, given the growing number of French visitors to the region, ensuring that local guides are better equipped to cater to this market.
The initiative has received a positive response from the local youth, with many showing enthusiasm to join and professionalize the tourism sector. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be awarded a certification, significantly enhancing their employability and career prospects in the expanding tourism industry. (Story Based on PR)