The Indian Institute Of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM) has invited applications for its regional-level guide training programme. It is the first time that IITTM has included a separate training programme for candidates from South India. Earlier, the candidates from the south were trained in programmes tailored for other regions.
A graduate of a recognised university, who has completed 20 years of age, or has a diploma in archaeology from an institute recognized by the UGC, Association of Indian Universities (AIU), AICTE or any other state or Central government body, can apply for the six-month course, for which 25 candidates would be admitted. Admissions will be based on an entrance test and interview. The training, which is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, costs `25,000 and is mandatory for becoming a government-approved tourist guide.
“The course is aimed at moulding professional guides. Guides are the unofficial cultural ambassadors of a country.
A guide can build or tarnish the image of a country,” opined P R Rajesh, a tourist guide, who has undergone the training and is working in Kochi for the past four years.
“It is a career option that is least understood. A licensed guide earns an average of `1,500 per day. If the services are needed for more number of days, then you are paid accordingly,” he said.