How to apply for training and registration as a Punjab State local Tourist Guide
Are you eager to know how to launch a career as a licensed tourist local level guide in Punjab? Learn from this article about the training program organized by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, Chandigarh which gives you the opportunity to become registered as a freelance tourist guide after completing the requisite training program.
Overview
The State of Punjab has many prominent tourist attractions, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the various gardens in Chandigarh, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh war museum in Ludhiana, the Bhagwathi Mandir in Bathinda, the tombs of Mohammad Momin and Haji Jamal in Jalandhar, etc. With both domestic and international travellers placing these popular tourist spots high on their itinerary, opportunities abound for tourist guides. Those seeking a career as a tourist guide can apply for training offered by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) and subsequently apply for registration to be official freelance tourist guides. This is an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-assisted project under the Infrastructure Development Investment Programme for Tourism (IDIPT). It should be noted, though, that the training program is not an indication of employment with the Board.Eligibility requirements
Domicile criteria: To apply for training to be a tourist guide, you must be a domicile of Punjab. Accordingly, along with the application, you will need to submit documentary proof to indicate your Domicile status. One of these will be accepted as proof:
(i) Certificate of residence proof by the competent authority.
(ii) Passport.
(iii) Voter Identity Card.
(iv) Ration Card.
Age criteria: less than 50 years of age.
Educational Qualification: Academically, you must be at least a Graduate. You should also have studied Punjabi as one of the subjects at the Matric level. Additionally, you should have passed at least one foreign language course, such as Spanish, German, Chinese, French or Japanese, from a recognized institute. Those who are currently studying the foreign language through a course in a recognized institute are also eligible to apply. Features of the training program
The training program to be a tourist guide is free of cost in Amritsar, Patiala or Chandigarh. However, no accommodation will be provided. You need to make your own provisions for staying in the city where the training program is conducted. Travelling expenses during the training will also have to be borne by you. The Board will not be paying for any of the expenses.
The training program is of 400 hours with both classroom sessions as well as field training. The training sessions will enable you to learn relevant guide skills, get information on products related to tourism, acquire knowledge of the State and various regions, etc. Field training will incorporate group discussions to develop interactive skills.
Attendance of 80% is mandatory in order to be eligible to appear for the test after the training is completed. If you fail to meet this attendance requirement, you cannot appear for the test. However, a relaxation of 10% may be given in case of a satisfactory reason for not complying with the attendance requirement. The test will cover the full syllabus of the training program.
On successful completion of the training program, you will be awarded a Guide Training certificate. You must then get registered as a freelance Tourist Guide, namely, a local level tour guide, by making the application in the prescribed format and submitting it along with the requisite self-attested copies of the testimonials and requisite fee, if any. Application process
The application form for the tourist guide training program is available in a prescribed format under the section of 'Downloads-Forms' at the official website of Punjab Tourism. Send the completed application to:
Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board
Plot no.03,
Sector 38A, Chandigarh-160036.
You can also send the application by email to sumati.bhaskar.phtpb@gmail.com.
Last date for receipt of application at the office: 20th August 2019.
Contact information
For further inquiries on the tourist training program you can contact Ms.Sumati Bhaskar, CDS. Ph: 9501307562.
Additional contact information:
Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board Ph: 0172-2625952. Email: idipt.pb.office@gmail.com.
[Note: Details in this article have been sourced from a print advt. in the Hindustan Times, 11th July 2019. Applicants should check the official website for the complete details and for updates].
Follow 
Indian tourism, domestic as well as foreign is going to increase in leaps and bounds as the tourism activity is on an increasing trend worldwide. People have started going out more frequently and especially during the school closing time of the children, there is a big rush of tourists everywhere. In this situation, it makes sense to go for such specialised training for becoming a guide in one's local state. Today the job condition in our country has worsened much and even the qualified people have to make a beeline for a job. So considering this scenario any opportunity to get a job or start on one's own is welcome. In that perspective, I feel that this is a good course and those who have not much interest in pursuing higher education can consider this as a career option. By gaining experience and attaining the historical knowledge about the tourist places, one can definitely do well in this line.