In a significant move to professionalise India’s tourism sector and enhance visitor experience, the Government of India has launched a nationwide tourism upskilling initiative under which 10,000 tourist guides will be trained by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) across 20 iconic tourist destinations.
The programme aims to address one of the long-standing challenges of Indian tourism—quality interpretation, storytelling, and service standards at heritage and high-footfall sites. The training will be conducted through a 12-week hybrid model, combining online modules with on-ground practical exposure, making it accessible to guides from diverse regions.
According to officials, the curriculum has been designed to go beyond conventional guiding skills. It will focus on destination knowledge, visitor management, communication skills, digital tools, sustainability practices, and global service benchmarks, enabling Indian guides to meet international expectations. The involvement of IIMs brings structured management thinking into tourism, a sector that directly contributes to employment and foreign exchange earnings.
The initiative is also aligned with India’s broader vision of positioning itself as a high-value, experience-driven tourism destination, rather than just a volume-based market. Well-trained guides play a crucial role in shaping tourist perceptions, length of stay, and repeat visits.
The programme is expected to create better livelihood opportunities, particularly for youth and local communities around heritage and cultural sites. It will also support India’s efforts to promote responsible tourism, cultural preservation, and inclusive growth.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, calling it a game-changer for service quality in Indian tourism, especially as international arrivals continue to rise and competition among global destinations intensifies.
