Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 4: The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), GoI, in collaboration with the Tourism Department, A&N Islands has launched the ‘Paryatan Mitra’, an initiative for up-gradation of skills among the service providers in the tourism sector to create trained manpower in the industry to deliver better service to the tourist. The second phase launch ceremony of ‘Paryatan Mitra’ was held in the conference hall of ‘Aapda Prabhandan Bhawan’, Link Road here today. The Assistant Commissioner, Swaraj Dweep, Shri Vikram Singh as the chief guest inaugurated the event by lighting the traditional oil lamp.
In his address, the chief guest expressed happiness regarding the launch of the second phase of up-gradation of skills among service providers. He urged the Tourism stakeholders to device strategy to attract tourists during the monsoon season as well. Apart from the conventional tourist places & spots, the Tourism Stakeholders should also guide the tourists towards bird watching, stargazing, nature trail etc. so that the tourists visiting A&N Islands will get something new to experience, the Assistant Commissioner said.
Pointing that the foreign tourists will be visiting these Islands, once the International fights starts operation, the chief guest said that the youth of these Islands can take up learning foreign languages, which, according to him, will really benefit them in tourism sector. While informing the benefits of skill up-gradation for the service providers, the chief guest said, the tourism stakeholders should explore new areas and activities for the incoming tourists so that they convey this message to others which will ultimately promote tourism in A&N Islands.
In his address on the occasion, Dr. Abdul Salam, Associate Professor, Deptt. of Tourism, JNRM appreciated the initiative of the GoI for the launch of the second phase skill up-gradation programme. He said students of the BBA (Tourism & Travel Management) are being provided required information on the scope in tourism sector and awareness programme of such magnitude will further upgrade their knowledge.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Rabia Bibi, Manager (Operations), IP&T informed that MoT has selected A&N Islands again among the 50 destination in India for the Second Phase training programme. This time, it is expected that the training will cover areas such as Heritage Walk, Home Stay Experience, Food Courts, Handicrafts/Craftsmen, she said.
The trainees’ viz. K. Selvam, Raj and Kamala who attended the training programme in first phase said that they have found the training programme very impactful, which they have brought into practice in their daily routine while providing services to tourists.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Co-ordinator, Paryatan Mitra, Member Secretary, A&N Tourist Vehicle Owners Association, Shri Ankit Kumar Tripathi informed that the Ministry of Tourism, to create tourism awareness among the younger generation to make available skilled manpower in the future, conducted training for 95 service providers like cab drivers, food vendors, Self Help Groups and around 365 students from JNRM under first phase.
The launch programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Shri S. Ramakrishna, Assistant Director, India Tourism, Ministry of Tourism.