THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking the concept of responsible tourism to the next level, Intersight Group will launch a new project titled ‘Sarathi Sauhrudam’ (Friendly Driver). The initiative is claimed to be first of its kind in the country to empower the drivers as cab-owners and guides, besides promoting entrepreneurship and generating employment in the tourism industry.Setting off another trend-setting model from God’s Own Country, the project will be formally launched on October 25 by Tourism Minister AP Anil Kumar at Hotel Mascot here at 5 pm.Under the pioneering project, Intersight group will help 100 drivers own a car each. They will be given special training to work as professional guides and also as responsible hosts. In the first phase, ten drivers belonging to the weaker sections of society have been selected."This is the first time an Indian company in the field of tourism has conceived such an initiative. Significantly, it evolves as a model of responsible tourism that is being given much focus by the State Government,’’’ said Intersight Managing Director Abraham George.“The quality and sincerity of the driver is a direct catalyst between the operator and the tourist, impacting the growth of tourism in a considerable way, he said. "Under the project, we will buy and give brand new cabs to 100 drivers selected from among the poorer sections of the society. We will pay the initial 25 per cent of the cost from our project fund to buy the vehicles and arrange them the required works/trips. The rest of the money will be paid as monthly EMI from the earnings they make from their business and after three years, the ownership will be transferred in their names without any financial liabilities. Thus, it is a model to promote entrepreneurship and employment,’’ he said.Connecting it to the ongoing projects of responsible tourism, the project is being launched at four places - Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad - which are the places assigned by Department of Tourism, for organising its Responsible Tourism Initiative.Training will be given to the drivers by professionals in Basic Hospitality Management, Interpersonal Skills and Destination Information. Training is vital as there are many common complaints about these aspects in general. "We hope this will be a role model for the industry and even the governments can replicate it. Moreover, we are implementing this without any external funding, except loans”, said Abraham George.
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