Date:27/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/27/stories/2005042702420200.htm

Back Airport officials taught to be tourist-friendly

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , April 26

OFFICIALS of the Customs Department at the Begumpet Airport, who are the first to greet tourists arriving in Hyderabad by air, have got tips to be tourist-friendly.

Experts from Tourism and Hospitality Training Centre conducted a day-long session on `Tourism orientation and behavioural aspects' for the officials here on Monday.

The exercise is part of a plan to make the State the `most hospitable destination,' Dr Ananda Shankar, Additional Secretary (Youth Services) and Director of the centre, said here in a press release. "We have decided to conduct a series of programmes for the front office staffers who have direct contact with tourists," Dr Ananda said.

The institute plans to train employees in immigration offices, the railways, the AP State Road Corporation, temples and airports. The day-long programme included a session on international tourism by Mr C. V. Prasad and tourist management by Mr Pattabhi Ram, a noted psychologist and human resource trainer. the release said.