I pursued my Master’s in English literature at Gujarat University. But I don’t know what to do now. I was interested in designing but couldn’t do that for some reason. And now I am interested in tourism. I have always wanted to see different places, I have always wanted to travel. Please guide me as to what to do and what not to do.
Qureshi Atiya (22) / Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

Since you’re interested in travel and have a degree in English, you may opt for becoming a tourist guide. The job of a tourist guide is very challenging and needs preparation with personality development. A course in tourism will provide you all the knowledge about sites, historical monuments and destinations with the facts the places hold.

The Tourism Office of the Government of India conducts a tour guide training programme. Students who have completed their graduation can apply for this course. The Ministry of Tourism (tourism.gov.in) provides licenses to the tourist guides and also organizes regional-level tourist guide training programmes.
Apart from this, IITTM (Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management) (iittm.ac.in) imparts short-term courses. Many private/public colleges also offer direct admission into tour guide programme in various disciplines.

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There are very few places in the world which have something to offer for every kind of traveller. On what has only been my second visit to the holy land of Rishikesh, I am pretty convinced that this is surely one of those places. It is quite an interesting mélange of spirituality and adventure. But after having spent a few days here as a solo traveller, I believe there is a lot more to the city. I like to call it “The blissful abode”.

The beautiful sound of the flowing Ganga is the best welcome you can get as you set foot here. That will in fact also be one of the most prominent views everywhere you go from that point on. Aside from that, you will read the words like yoga, meditation or river rafting everywhere you look. You will most definitely be convinced that you will either leave the place with a tranquil mind or an adrenaline pumped-up heart. But if you are someone like me who likes to experience everything a place has to offer, you might just leave with a mix of both.

There are many reasons why I say this place is for everyone. First, it has a range of options for accommodation. From budget hostels (costing only about Rs 600 a day) to one of the most expensive properties of Taj (costing about Rs 45k a night), there is no dearth of options if you choose to stay here for a few days. This is one of the many reasons Rishikesh is on the top of the list for solo travellers, students travelling on budget, as well as foreign nationals looking to stay here for a longer duration.

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Nepal, lying along the southern slopes of the Himalayan Mountain ranges, is a landlocked country located between India to the east, south and west, and Tibet in the north. Its territory extends roughly 500 miles from east to west and 90 to 150 miles from north to south. Nepal’s capital is Kathmandu.

Nepal has some of the most rugged and difficult mountain terrain in the world. Roughly 75 per cent of the country is covered by mountains. From the south to the north, Nepal can be divided into four main physical belts, each of which extends east to west across the country. These are, first, the Tarai, a low, flat, fertile land adjacent to the border of India; second, the forested Churia foothills and the Inner Tarai zone, rising from the Tarai plain to the rugged Mahābhārat Range; third, the mid-mountain region between the Mahābhārat Range and the Great Himalayas; and, fourth, the Great Himalaya Range, rising to more than 29,000 feet.

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I’m a student of Std X and I want to know about Adventure Tourism. What is it like? Is there any scope for employment?
Anvesha
Bhopal

Adventure tourism is all about taking the roads less travelled. Not only does adventure travelling involve exploring remote areas and a great degree of physical activity but also some measure of controlled risk. Mountaineering expeditions, trekking, paragliding, bungee jumping, rafting, scuba diving and rock climbing are the best-known examples of adventure tourism.

One can choose to work outdoors as an instructor or a tour leader or be a part of a managerial team. The marketing or managerial aspect of this job requires an MBA degree or a diploma in tourism. But people who are involved in the operational aspect (customer interface and all the outdoor work) require professional training in that sport. For example, a water sport would require you to have a certain level of competence as a swimmer. For mountaineering, you should be able to handle the ropes, quite literally. A high level of physical fitness is a basic prerequisite.

Though the job is both physically demanding and risky at times, it will definitely be the most exciting job imaginable. To make a successful instructor, you need to have a passion for the outdoors, courage, the ability to stay calm in critical situations and leadership qualities.

Job positions are available with numerous small or medium adventure tourism companies, wildlife parks or holiday resorts and mountain lodges. You could also exercise your entrepreneurial abilities and start an adventure tours operating company. Get in if you have the passion. It’s a highly rewarding career. So be a part of it!

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