Visakhapatnam: Though the International Fleet Review provides scope for the government to tap the untapped tourism potential of Vizag, lack of trained or professional tour guides, and illegal tour operators in the city could dent the prospects.
“Guides play a major role in the development of a tourist spot and making it popular by creating interest among tourists providing them interesting facts and figures. A heritage site would only excite the tourists if they can know about its geological, historical and archaeological importance,” said Intach Vizag chapter convener P.V. Prasad.
The tourism department, in association with Intach, had trained some youths from different walks of life as professional guides. But lack of employment has forced them to change their professions. “The government should draw a plan to ensure jobs for the guides so that the training does not go vain," the convener added.
The unemployment of guides is due to lack of proper publicity about them. In a bid to publicise about the guides, some states have taken initiatives to upload the profile details of the guides on the government website so that tourists can choose the guide of their choice based on the profile, rating and professional experience.
District tourism officer A. Siri said, “We are trying to make a viable plan to ensure jobs for the guides throughout the year. There are plans to train tribals as guides to develop tribal areas as tourist spots.”
