NEW DELHI, 27th September, 2024 (WAM) -- India launched a nationwide responsible tourism initiative on the occasion of World Tourism Day on Friday, Asian News International (ANI) reported.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the initiative, aims at leveraging tourism for social inclusion, employment generation, and economic progress, and seeks to create tourism ambassadors from local communities across the country.
The programme was piloted in six major tourist destinations: Orchha (Madhya Pradesh), Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh), Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Aizawl (Mizoram), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), and Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
This initiative intends to make tourism a vehicle for local pride and storytelling by training people like cab drivers, hotel staff, tour guides, and street vendors who interact with tourists. They get awareness training on hospitality, cleanliness, and sustainability.
Special attention is given to training women and young people, empowering them to create new tourism offerings like heritage walks, food tours, craft experiences, nature treks, and homestays based on the local area's potential. Since the programme's pilot launch on 15th August, approximately 3,000 individuals across six destinations have been trained.