The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Autos in Kanyakumari too set to turn tourist-friendly

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Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Autos in Kanyakumari too set to turn tourist-friendly

Staff Reporter

Eighteen drivers take part in workshop to develop soft skills

— Photo: R. Ragu

MOTIVATIONAL SESSION: Autorickshaw drivers listen to a few tips on how to be tourist-friendly at a Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation workshop in Chennai on Monday.

Chennai: After introducing the concept of tourist-friendly autorickshaws in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) is now promoting the idea among drivers in Kanyakumari.

A group of 18 autorickshaw drivers from Kanyakumari were here on Monday to participate in a workshop on improving their soft skills. They were also given sets of promotional pamphlets on the tourist attractions in the southern district, umbrellas, caps and first aid kits. Resource persons from Anna Institute of Management conducted the training.

“Be fair, friendly with tourists”

Tourism Secretary V. Irai Anbu said the drivers could give tourists the pamphlets, which included a map of Kanyakumari. “The tourists may have thought of a couple of visiting a couple of places like the Vivekananda Rock, but there are several other spots too. Be fair and friendly with tourists. They may decide to stay longer or visit the place again,” he said.

In Chennai, the TTDC has roped in about 80 autorickshaw drivers for the tourist-friendly campaign. S. Purushothaman, the first autorickshaw driver to take up the idea, urged his colleagues to smile at and be polite with tourists. Helping them identify good restaurants and lodging would help tourists to enjoy their stay.

TTDC managing director M. Rajaram said the next step would be to train staff at the Madurai Meenakshi temple to be tourist-friendly. Autorickshaw drivers in Madurai who expressed interest in enrolling themselves in the campaign would also be given training.

Mr. Rajaram said basic English speaking skills would also be taught to the drivers.

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