Vijayawada Auto and Cab Drivers to Become Cultural Ambassadors Through New Tourism Initiative
In a novel move to enhance the tourist experience, auto-rickshaw and cab drivers in Vijayawada are undergoing specialized training to serve as guides, providing visitors with insights into the region's rich history, culture, and attractions. This innovative "Driver-cum-Guide" training programme is a pilot project launched by the Andhra Pradesh tourism department in collaboration with the ride-hailing platform Rapido.
Pilot Project to Transform 280 Drivers into Cultural Ambassadors
A total of 280 drivers, comprising 32 cab drivers and 248 auto-rickshaw drivers, have participated in the initial training phase. The initiative aims to transform these drivers into "Ambassadors of Culture", enabling them to offer both transportation services and informative guidance about local heritage sites.
Padma Rani Seela, CEO of AP tourism marketing, stated that the pilot project will be operational within the next two months in Vijayawada. Depending on its success, the program will be expanded to other major tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh, such as Tirupati and Visakhapatnam, which attract significant tourist footfall.
Training Programme Details and Key Partnerships
The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the AP tourism department and Rapido co-founder Pavan Guntupalli during the Visakhapatnam Partnership Summit. The event was facilitated by key officials including Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, Special Chief Secretary (Tourism) Ajay Jain, and APTDC MD Amrapali Kata.
The two-day training programme was conducted at the Tourism department headquarters in Auto Nagar, Vijayawada. It covered:
- Orientation on key tourist destinations in and around Vijayawada, including the Buddhist Circuit, Amaravati, and Nagarjuna Sagar.
- Use of technology tools like Bhashini and Google Translate for effective communication with international tourists.
- A storytelling module developed with Jignasa Artworks to help drivers narrate historical significance in an engaging manner.
- Guidance on tourist etiquette, safety standards, and best practices in tourism services.
Objectives and Implementation Strategy
The primary goal of this pilot project is to attract tourists from other states who visit Vijayawada and are keen on exploring the city's tourist locations. According to Padma Rani Seela, the government aims to promote tourism while enabling drivers to earn additional income through this enhanced service.
To facilitate easy identification of trained drivers, Rapido will introduce a special "Tourist Guide" icon in its app. Visitors will be able to select these certified drivers when booking rides in Vijayawada, ensuring a seamless and informative travel experience.
This initiative represents a significant step towards integrating local transportation services with cultural tourism, potentially setting a benchmark for similar programs in other regions.
