To be key tourist sites across the state — including Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley, Amaravati, Tirupati, and Lepakshi

KIRANMAI TUTIKA | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department initiated a training program for local youth to be employed as tourist guides. The program is being conducted in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), aiming to tap into the rich cultural knowledge of local communities while ensuring professional standards in tourism services.

Officials hope that by the end of 2025, at least 2,000 trained local guides will be actively employed across Andhra Pradesh's tourist destinations. They will be trained in hospitality, communication skills, heritage knowledge, first aid, basic foreign language phrases, and soft skills necessary for dealing with diverse groups of domestic and international tourists.

The curriculum, designed by experts from the tourism and hospitality industry, includes both classroom instruction and practical fieldwork at prominent heritage sites, beaches, temples, and eco-tourism centers. Trainers from APSSDC and seasoned professionals from the Tourism Department are jointly conducting the sessions.

Upon successful completion of the training program, candidates will be formally certified and empaneled with the Tourism Department. They will be deployed at key tourist sites across the state — including Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley, Amaravati, Tirupati, and Lepakshi — and will also be available for private tours booked through government-run tourism offices and apps.

According to the department, guides will be recruited on a contract basis initially, with the potential for permanent positions based on performance and tourist feedback. “This initiative is a win-win. Tourists get a richer experience, and young people from our villages and towns get skilled employment right at their doorstep,” said P. S. Raghava, a senior trainer associated with the program. Special emphasis is also being given to encourage women and individuals from underrepresented communities to participate.

The Tourism Department has announced that this model will soon be expanded to other sectors such as eco-guides for nature tourism, culinary guides for food tours, and specialized guides for adventure tourism activities like trekking and water sports.