Commencing June 2022, India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, launched the Tourism Awareness Programme (TAP) program under the CBSP Scheme for the taxi, cab, and coach drivers offering them behavioural & soft skill training with a component of foreign language.
The training was imparted by ITDC’s Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management covering a total of around 300 drivers upto November 30, 2022. More batches are on the anvil. Sh. G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and DoNER, Govt. of India gave away the certificates and badges to the successful candidates at a ceremony held on November 30, 2022.
Congratulating the participants at the event, Sh. Reddy said, “India espouses the values of Vasudhaev Kutumbakam and Atithi Devo Bhava. It is our responsibility as frontline service providers to convey this spirit and warmth of Indian culture in our interactions with all visitors, whether they are visiting India for tourism, to experience our culture, to avail medical facilities, or to attend conferences, and especially to all G-20 delegates. This training is one among the many initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India which is working towards comprehensive development of the tourism sector.” He further urged the drivers to take this training forward by practicing the foreign languages in their interaction with foreigners and also show them the highest levels of courtesy and care.