‘PARYATAN MITRA’ AND ‘PARYATAN DIDI’

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/tourism-ministry-launches-paryatan-mitra-and-paryatan-didi-on-world-tourism-day/

Context:

Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi Initiative was launched by the Ministry of Tourism on World Tourism Day (September 27).

About Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi

It is an initiative to enhance the tourist experience by engaging them with local people who act as Ambassadors and Storytellers.

It encourages individuals in the tourism sector, such as cab drivers, restaurant staff, and shopkeepers, to treat tourists as honoured guests, following the ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ philosophy.

The pilot programme was tested in six tourist spots across India:

1. Orchha (Madhya Pradesh)
2. Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh)
3. Bodh Gaya (Bihar)
4. Aizawl (Mizoram)
5. Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
6. Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

Since August 15, 2023, about 3,000 individuals have completed training in these six locations.

The initiative concentrates on training women and youth to help locals to turn their knowledge of the area into job opportunities. After training, they can work as homestay owners, cultural guides, adventure guides, and more.

The Ministry plans to award the trained individuals, denoting them as Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi.

The initiative also includes general training in digital literacy to ensure that the experiences offered by locals can be easily found by tourists online.

World Tourism Day World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27. This day was chosen to remember when the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was established in 1970. In 2024, the theme is “Tourism and Peace.” This means tourism can help in resolving conflicts and promote peace by allowing people to experience different cultures and values.

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Source: 

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Which of the following is/are the objectives of the Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi initiative? 1. To enhance the tourist experience through local engagement. 2. To promote international tourism.  3. To build new tourist infrastructure. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: A) 1 only B) 2 and 3 only C) 1 and 3 only D) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: A Explanation: The main objective of the Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi initiative is to focus on training locals to become ambassadors and storytellers, creating a welcoming atmosphere for tourists.