Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board receives a Silver Award in the category of providing employment and skills to local communities.

Mahesh Dhoundiyal – New Delhi

Shri Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister, Government of Uttarakhand, attended the ICRT India and Subcontinent Awards 2024 held in New Delhi today as the Chief Guest. In this year’s edition of the ICRT India and Subcontinent Awards 2024, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board was awarded the Silver Award in the category of providing employment and skills to local communities, which was received by Smt. Poonam Chand, Additional Director, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board from Shri Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister, Government of Uttarakhand.

Addressing The ICRT India and the Subcontinent Awards 2024, Shri Satpal Maharaj said that today in this wonderful ceremony, I would like to inform you about an important initiative of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. The comprehensive training program of this board has now reached the most remote areas of the pilgrimage route, so that our guides can provide the best service to tourists in every corner. This specially designed initiative serves the purpose of enabling our people to efficiently showcase the rich heritage, vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty of Uttarakhand to visitors from across the globe. Apart from training heritage and nature guides in popular tourist destinations like Rishikesh, Nainital and Mussoorie, lesser-known places like Gangolihat, Dharchula and Nanakmatta have also been covered. The program has achieved remarkable success in various districts, with a total of 4050 candidates effectively trained. This includes 1000 heritage tour guides, 500 skilled taxi drivers, 2000 hardworking guest house caretakers, and 550 knowledgeable nature guides.

Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board receives Silver Award

Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board receives Silver Award

Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board receives Silver Award

Shri Maharaj further added that the Board’s unwavering commitment to train guides in remote areas under the leadership of our officers reflects their determination to promote tourism in Uttarakhand in a sustainable and inclusive manner. This visionary approach not only enriches the tourism landscape but also provides invaluable employment and economic upliftment opportunities to local communities. Meanwhile, Shri Maharaj said that the initiative of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board to provide training to heritage tour guides, nature guides, taxi drivers and guest house caretakers at no cost is symbolic of a multi-pronged approach to sustainable tourism development. This program not only enriches the local workforce by focusing on skill enhancement and employment generation but also improves the tourism experience of visitors.

He said that firstly, by training 1000 heritage tour guides and 550 nature guides, this program not only provides information to the people about the rich heritage and diverse natural landscapes of Uttarakhand but also creates a pool of skilled professionals who can provide impressive and informative experiences to tourists. Further, by providing training in different districts, this program ensures wide dissemination of knowledge and benefits, thereby promoting inclusive development in different communities. Also, by training 500 taxi drivers, the program enhances professionalism and service standards in the transportation sector. It improves the safety and comfort of tourists and creates employment opportunities for local residents, especially in remote or rural areas where transportation services may be limited. Additionally, by promoting women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated fields such as taxi driving, it promotes gender equality and empowerment, creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Continuing his address, Mr Maharaj explained that in addition, by training 2000 guest house caretakers and hospitality staff, the program not only improves the quality of accommodation and services for tourists but also creates employment opportunities in the local hospitality sector. By providing skills in customer service, housekeeping and food preparation, the program strengthens the tourism infrastructure and creates a welcoming environment for visitors.

Additionally, by providing training for roles such as street food joints and assistant chefs, the program supports local entrepreneurship and economic development, creating a positive socio-economic impact in communities. By engaging women in various training programs, the initiative promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment, allowing women to participate more actively in the tourism industry and contribute to their households’ incomes. This not only improves the socio-economic status of women but also promotes diversity and inclusiveness in the workforce.