The Odisha Tourism on Thursday organised a one-day orientation programme for 220 auto drivers at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) here in order to train them to become “tourist-friendly” and “ambassadors of Odisha Tourism”.
The lessons taught to the drivers were on “Atithi Debo Bhava”, important tourist spots and rich heritage sites, basic etiquettes and mannerism, maintaining basic hygiene and helping tourists.
Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda inaugurating programme said role of auto and taxi drivers in promotion of Odisha tourism, culture and heritage is very important as they are the first point of contact and interaction.
“It is the behavioural aspects like manners, etiquettes, hygiene of drivers that would leave a lasting imprint in the minds of tourists visiting the State,” he opined.
Tourism Secretary lN Gupta in his address described auto and taxi drivers, tour guides, tour operators, travel agents and hawkers as “ground ambassadors” of the Odisha tourism. He said the Department has a plan to hold orientation programes for 15,000 such drivers of important tourist sites in a phased manner.