Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is conducting 12 days guide training programme in Nagpur to train the local tourist guides. The inauguration of certified guide training programme was conducted at MTDC’s Regional office in Nagpur by Swati Kale, General Manager, MTDC in the presence of Arati Meshram, HOD-Government IHMCT College, Nagpur, Shri Vilas Kale, Chairman-Cenin Travel & VED Council along with IITTM Faculty C. Barua, Shri Hanumant Hede and Yogesh Nirgude, Officer & Training Coordinator, MTDC, HO, Mumbai.
An in-depth training course offers a platform for the aspirants who desire to become certified tour guides. This programme provides the local guides with practical and theoretical knowledge on the various destinations across the state. It also helps them to build better relations with domestic and foreign tourists visiting the state. Tourist guides are the mind and essence of tourism as they are the key representatives of the state. They must upgrade themselves from time to time according to the travellers’ requirement. This programme aims to enhance the quality of local tourist guides and improve their engagement skills, which will certainly improve the tourists’ experience. The programme has been designed to provide the best curriculum to eligible applicants, covering all facets of the state, its culture and heritage, group administration and handling emergencies. The eligible candidates can also undertake a written test and conduct a mock presentation on a city tour to attain their license.
The aim is to make more than 900 guides available for the tourist at various destinations across the state and generate employment opportunities. MTDC has conducted guide training programme at various cities across Mumbai, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Sindhudurg and Pune, Nasik, Amravati, Solapur and Kolhapur will be conducted in the year 2018-19.
Madan Yerawar, State Tourism Minister, Government of Maharashtra said, “I am delighted to announce that Nagpur and Vidarbha got certified local tourist guides for the first time and they are ready to offer services at various tourist destinations in the state to cater to the need of the tourists. They play a significant role in promoting the destination and thus, act as the representatives of the state and our country. MTDC’s mission is to promote education for guides for employment and economic stability in the state of Maharashtra. This will assist to boost a range of activities, services and amenities in our state.”
