TravTalk India Online Magazine
More than 200 registrations have been received for the online IITF certification programme for tourist guide training in Maharashtra. More can still sign up as registrations are open.
In February 2021, the Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra had announced an online IITF (Incredible India Tourist Facilitator) certification programme for Guide Training designed by the Ministry of Tourism Government of India for citizens of India.
More than 200 registrationshave been received from Maharashtra for the online programme because of the successful promotional campaign. Registrations are still open for the online programme for interested candidates who want to pursue career as trained tour guides.
The certification programme is for candidates who are looking to become part of the tourism industry to serve as high quality tour guides at the state level. The basic online course is available on the http://iitf.gov.in portal in Hindi and English with seven modules.
The overall programme fee is `2,000, while the examination fee is Rs. 500. In order to encourage more candidates to pursue the course, the Directorate of Tourism has decided to refund the programme fee of Rs. 2,000 to the first 1,000 candidates who successfully complete all the modules.
The eligibility criterion for the programme is: in the age group of 18-40 years should pass minimum twelfth grade. And, candidate aged above 40 years should have passed minimum tenth grade. They will be awarded an
Online Course Completion Certificate (OCC) once they successfully complete all seven modules of the programme, after which the candidate will be eligible to apply for the exam.
Post the exam, the candidates will have to attend seven-day behaviour skill training conducted by IITTM (Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management). Furthermore, the IITF Basic Certificate would be awarded to the candidates who successfully undertake the mandatory internship of seven working days with tour operators approved by Ministry of Tourism (MOT).
Successful candidates will be allowed to give guide services anywhere in Maharashtra as a Maharashtra Tourism Certified/licensed guide except at Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monuments.
