Indiatourism, Mumbai Ventures Into Capacity Building Programmes

Reema Sisodia - Mumbai

Gour Kanjilal

Indiatourism, Mumbai has initiated a new venture in the form of specially designed training and orientation programme called ‘Capacity Building Programmes’(CBPs) for service providers spanning across all walks of travel and tourism. These programmes are mainly targeted at the unorganised sectors that include taxidrivers, porters, loaders at the airport, cleaning staff, auto drivers, local temple priests and pujaris, small kiosks owners at tourist place selling artifacts etc. CISF personnel, airport service personnel are also part of the programme. Till now six CBPs have been conducted. The aim of these programmes and courses is to build in a sense of responsibility and dignity about their profession and to make them realise their importance in the tourism chain. These courses are conducted with the help of the staff of Indiatourism Mumbai office, members of the local tourism office, travel-trade members, media and faculty from local colleges. The objective of these training programmes is to create awareness about the benefits it brings to tourism in general and how their positive behaviour can act as a catalyst to boost tourism. The training also builds professionalism among grass root workers. As part of the training schedule, information on places of interest in and around the region both in hindi or local language are prepared and handed over to participants. They are given some lessons about the importance of tourism, palaces of interest in and around their work place, simple etiquettes, languages, cleanliness, hygiene. Maps and self adhesive stickers indicating “Tourist Friendly” are also provided to stick them on the taxis, cars etc. The participants are provided with certification and some remuneration. According to Gour Kanjilal, regional director India Tourism, Mumbai, “These courses are of importance and relevance to the tourism industry. The people undergoing the courses, come in direct contact with tourists at arrival points and are also important entities of the tourism circuit, so it is necessary to have your essentials right. The programme helps empower them with simple changes in attitude and capacity to make them tourist friendly. It also aims to instill a sense of responsibility and dignity about their profession.”

Indiatourism, Mumbai has also taken the initiative of participating in travel and tourism exhibitions across the country in destinations namely, Mumbai, Pune, Raipur, Nagpur, Vadodara, Surat and Indore from January to March 2005. They aim to focus on the concept of eco friendly India through their display on areas like Chhattisgarh, wild life parks in Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttaranchal. Conducting interactive sessions and meetings with local tour operators and travel agents would also be art of the initiative to highlight the new ventures undertaken by Indiatourism.