TravTalk India Online Magazine
VFS Global Academy, the education and skilling arm of VFS Global, has launched a community upskilling initiative to empower local staff at the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha. The programme aims to enrich eco-tourism experiences while creating sustainable livelihoods, reinforcing the Academy’s commitment to skill development within India’s travel and tourism sector.
The initiative follows a detailed assessment by VFS Global Academy that identified the need for structured training to improve service quality and visitor engagement. It seeks to position Debrigarh as a model for community-driven sustainable tourism, where conservation and livelihood creation go hand in hand.
According to Anshu Pragyan Das, Divisional Forest Officer, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, “Our partnership with VFS Global Academy focuses on enhancing community participation in eco-tourism by upgrading skills in hospitality, language, etiquette, teamwork, and naturalist training for educational tours. Over 70 community members, including facility managers, safari drivers, eco-guides, boatmen, and naturalists, will benefit from this programme.”
The training combines technical learning with grooming, communication, and customer service excellence, aligning participants with industry standards and eco-tourism values. S M Bondar, District Magistrate and Collector, Sambalpur, said, “This tie-up with VFS Global Academy gives sanctuary staff the opportunity to upskill, adopt best practices, and raise service standards at Debrigarh. It will enhance visitor experiences and strengthen the sanctuary’s reputation as a leading eco-tourism destination.”
The programme will include peer feedback, supervisor evaluations, and recap sessions. Top performers from each department will earn internships at a luxury hotel in Bhubaneswar, gaining first-hand exposure to five-star hospitality and future career pathways.
Delighted with the collaboration, Amit Saincher, Head, VFS Global Academy, said, “By training the local community in hospitality, we aim to enhance visitor experiences and create sustainable livelihoods, making Debrigarh a model for responsible, community-led tourism.”
Spread across 350 sq. km around the Hirakud reservoir, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary has been recognised as one of India’s leading eco-tourism projects, driven by strong community participation and locally managed operations.
