DEL/285/2011                 August 20, 2011

 

Sub: Revision in the Guidelines for approval of Tour Operators by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India.

 

As you all are aware, we had been writing to the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India on a regular basis to withdraw the (Sub-Clause-VIII of Clause 8) as this restricted us by putting a clause that all recognized Tour Operators are required to use services of Regional Level guides trained and licensed by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India at all places incourse of their tour operations for their clients.

 

We specifically requested that this may kindly be restricted to only at ASI monuments; i.e. all approved Tour Operators to use services of Regional Level guides trained and licensed by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India at all the ASI monuments only. But for all other places such as temples, bazaars, malls etc (or any other monument say non-ASI) they may use the services of their escorts or any specialist interpreter or as they deem fit to facilitate best of client’s satisfaction.

 

The revised clause reads as under:-

 

“For the monuments protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Remains Act, 1958 (24 of 1958), the Tour Operators should deploy/engage the services of Regional Level Tourist Guides trained and licensed by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India or other guides authorized by the Govt. of India or under orders of the Hon’ble Courts(s). For other monuments and destinations, the guides authorized under the orders of the appropriate authority, if any, of the concerned monument/ destination should be deployed/ engaged by tour operators.”

 

This for your information and necessary action.

 

Thanking you & with warm regards,

 

 

Rajesh Mudgill

Hony. Secretary