Caption: ZP CEO G. Satyavati inaugurating the training camp for tourist guides being conducted by the Department of Tourism and District Administration at the Tourism Development Institute here yesterday as (from left) Training Camp Liaison Officer Prof. S.S. Kumar, DC P.S. Vastrad, Tourism Development Institute Director Prof. K.S. Nagapati and Liaison Officer Dr. Gopal look on.
Mysore, Feb.28
Tourists visiting the world famous Mysore Palace will in future be provided audio visual information through tablet PCs (mobile computers usually having touch-screen) provided by the Palace Board on rental basis.
Disclosing this yesterday at the inaugural function of Pravasi Margadarshi, a month-long tourist guide training programme for SSLC passed candidates, organised by the Tourism Department at the Tourism Development Institute at Mahajana College in city, Deputy Commissioner P.S. Vastrad said this project would be implemented in the coming two months.
Mysore Palace, which attracts a large number of tourists, has surpassed Taj Mahal in Agra with more tourists visiting the Palace.
In a bid to attract more tourists, the audio kits, which is being used at present, will be replaced with tablet PCs containing the photos of Mysore Palace which can be seen in 360 degrees with audio visual information in multiple languages. The contract has been given to a private firm and the scheme will be launched in two months, he said.
5-Day package tours
“Mysore stands 4th in the world for the number of tourists visiting the place. Till now, those visiting Mysore would see the tourist spots from morning to evening and then visit KRS in the night,” the DC said and added that other places like Srirangapatna, Rang-anthittu Bird Sanctuary and other tourist spots in the surroundings will be included in the package tours (three to five days) for which wide publicity will be given.
Speaking after inaugurating the function, Zilla Panchayat CEO G. Satyavati said that presently, tourism is one of the main revenue earners in which Kerala stood first in the country because of the training in hospitality they have given to drivers of autos, taxis and other vehicles, including the tourist guides, she said and added that such type of training should be given here also as guides play an important role in attracting tourists through their good behaviour.
Prof. K.S. Nagapati, Director, Tourism Development Institute, said that India had failed in marketing the tourism sector and hence 5 and 3 years courses have been started at the college.
Around 40 persons will be trained in the present programme for a period of one-month. For practical training, the trainees will be taken on a tour to North Karnataka. After completion of training, the guides will be provided with identification cards as accredited guides.
Raghavendra of Bannur, who is undergoing training here, said that this training will give him a new lease of life. “I have studied only till SSLC and was worried if I can get a job. After completing this training, I will be able to start work,” he said.
Siddaraju of T.N. Pura said that he will be proud to work as a tourist guide and will learn more languages to provide correct and detailed information to the tourists.
source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / Tuesday, February 28th, 2012