Like a guiding star

ANY trip or tour is not really complete unless you get the entire scoop from a local tourist guide! Tourist guides accompany individuals and groups on sightseeing tours, expeditions, historical, educational and archaeological trips.

Their job is to guide visitors to important sites and locations of interest, and to prepare and deliver commentaries and descriptions that serve to enlighten and entertain them.

The tourist guide may often have to conduct research and share general information about the indigenous customs.

He should be familiar with local culture and know the finer details of the place, people and trivia.

The job may also include coordination with travel agents, ensuring that the visitors are comfortable during their stay and travel around the place.

He also assists in case of booking, travel, luggage and accommodation problems. Information about local shopping places, and restaurants is provided by a guide on request.

A tourist guide is required to have an excellent command over the English language, Hindi and any of the local languages.

Aspirants should also be expressive and people friendly, with an outgoing personality. The job can be physically demanding and hence requires high endurance levels. You may be expected to work irregular and long hours.

You should have a patient and cheerful disposition with an ability to answer historical and political questions clearly.

You need to be a good planner with an eye for detail as well.

You should be a graduate preferably in a related discipline with a corresponding diploma in the subject. IITTM Gwalior and the All India Institute of Career Studies offer courses in Tourism management.

Adventure guides need to have additional skills to aid in activities like white water rafting, rappelling, hand gliding, rock climbing, mountaineering etc. The Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering located at Gulmarg and the National Institute of Water sports offer related courses.

To be a registered tourist guide you need to choose a specialisation in one of the categories- regional, state and monumental. The Ministry of Tourism conducts a three month long course which is followed by a test after which you will be given a licence to function as a registered tourist guide. Graduates with a good knowledge about the history and culture of India become guides for all-India tours. You can also find employment at private Travel Agencies or Tourist Guide firms.

If you have a flair for the field, you are sure to enjoy the work. The departments of tourism at the centre and the state provide facilities, to develop historic and tourist sites, and opportunities in this field are on the rise. Becoming a temporary tourist guide is also a good option for students who are looking out for part time jobs, and for those who want to get a feel of the job.

ARCHANA JAYAKAR

archana.hyd@cnkonline.com