President Mukherjee for specialised workforce in tourism

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday stressed the need for a specialised and motivated workforce for the growth of tourism sector.

"I stress the importance of a highly specialised and motivated workforce. It is important for the government and private sector to collectively generate adequate manpower both in terms of quantity and quality," Mukherjee said on the occasion of National Tourism Awards in various categories.

Mukherjee also stressed the importance of sustainable, green tourism and called upon host communities to be more conscious and proactive with regard to tourist destinations in their areas.

Andhra Pradesh bagged the best state award for comprehensive development of tourism in India.

"There is a need to ensure that every aspect of our infrastructure responds to the expectations of the best travelled tourists. A visit to a world renowned heritage site can be marred by poor approach roads or the absence of public facilities en route or by unpleasant sights and odours," Mujherjee added.

Amritsar Heritage Walk and Delhi Heritage Walk were declared joint winners of the best Heritage Walk Award.