By BW Hotelier

THE MINISTRY of Tourism (MoT) has launched the following new skill initiatives on the occasion of ’National Youth Day’ to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand in order to improve the sectorial service standards, which is one of the pre-requisites for attracting tourists in larger numbers:

(I) A Sensitization Programme for the Existing Service Providers at Varanasi

It will target boatmen, rickshaw pullers, pandas, porters, shopkeepers and street vendors (in and around ghats and temples). Each course will be of four days duration and the trainees will be compensated for the wage loss. The programme will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management.

The primary objectives of the programme will be to eventually achieve an improved tourist specific service ambience and to further the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. The first course/batch commenced on January 12, 2016.

(II) A Programme to Groom Young Persons Interested in Home Delivery Service as an Occupation

It will target persons who are atleast matriculates and in the age group of 18-28 years. Each course will be of six days duration. The programme will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, Institutes of Hotel Management & Food Craft Institutes.

The programme will prepare the trainees to deliver food at home with skill, style and civility. The first course/batch commenced on January 12, 2016 at the Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa.

(III) A Programme of Training to Bring Up ’Paryatak Mitra’

It will target college-going students including those enrolled with the NCC & NSS, in the age group of 18-28 years. Each course will be of ten days duration. The programme will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, first at destinations identified under the PRASAD scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.

The programme will attempt to inculcate appropriate tourism traits and knowledge among the trainees to enable them to act/work as Tourist Facilitators (Paryatak Mitra). The first course/batch commenced on January 12, 2016 at Varanasi.

(IV) A Training Programme to Bring Up Tourist Facilitators in the North East

It will target 10+2 pass-outs in the age group of 18-28 years. Each course will be of 30 days duration. The programme will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management. The primary objective of the programme limited to the North East, will be to achieve better tourist satisfaction in terms of availability of skilled tourist facilitators. The programme will be advertised soon.

Photo:-The Ministry of Tourism launched the new skill initiative ’Paryatak Mitra training programme’, on the occasion of ’National Youth Day’ to mark the Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekanand, at Varanasi on January 12, 2016.