Cultural guide training themed ‘Upskilling & Responsible Practices’ for Siang Region underway

AALO I Mar I 16: 

 The cultural guide training through the theme ” Upskilling and Responsible Prectices” for Siang Region kick started here at P&P Resort today.

Around 30 participants from West Siang, Shi Yomi, Siang, Leparada and Upper Siang districts are attending the two-day training programme.

Attending the inaugural programme, West Siang SP Kardak Riba has asked the participants to be a job giver instead of job seeker through tourism.

Advocating that there are abundant natural resources which need to be promoted, he urged every one to make healthy atmosphere for the tourists. Riba also informed that batch wise state police have been giving training from the constable level for the police personnel on tourists handling.

To make healthy record building as per guidelines, the SP said PAP, ILP and C Form need to be maintained properly while handling the tourists. Tourism Deputy Director Bengia Manna Sonam informed that the motive of conducting the training is to promote tourism in sustainable way and provide quality tourism.

She also said the police and guide can play vital roles in tourism as they are the first to face any tourists coming from different parts of the world. The deputy director also informed the trainees that the govt is providing various schemes and subsidies for enthusiast stake holders. Sustainable economy can be generated from homestay while hosting the guests, she added.

Attending as resource person, Raj Basu from Help Tourism said engagement of youths in tourism is need of the hour as the Aalo is gateway for many districts. Informing that tourism is a social activity where the people have to start it while using the available resources, Basu said homestay play a vital role in tourism ecosystem.

Because of Homestay movement event tourists are reaching to rural and far flung areas, he added. West Siang DTO TK Kopak motivated the youths on homestay, hospitality and tourism.

Self employment can be provided through tourism, he said adding because of less information proper guidance are not given. “So the department has come to your doorstep and avail it”, Kopak said.

A technical session led by Raj Basu of Help Tourism provided valuable insights on best practices in cultural guide. The session featured resource persons, including Bengia Manna Sonam; S Kar, Head, State Food Craft Institute (SFCI), Itanagar; Dr Moromi Talukdar, HoD Anthropology, Kanoi College (Dibrugarh); Sourabh Shukla, Destination Management Expert; and Prasanjeet Sharma, International Heritage Walk Guide.