Tourist Guide

ITI Tourist Guide Syllabus (English)

Course Overview

  • Trade Name: Tourist Guide

  • Duration: 1 Year (2 Semesters)

  • NSQF Level: Level 4

  • Eligibility: 10th Grade Pass with English as a subject

  • Objective: To train candidates in guiding tourists, providing cultural and historical information, and managing tours, preparing them for roles as tourist guides, travel escorts, or self-employment in travel and tourism services.

  • Certification: National Trade Certificate (NTC) by NCVT


Detailed Syllabus

Semester 1

Trade Theory

  • Introduction to Tourism: Role of a tourist guide, types of tourism (cultural, adventure, eco-tourism), tourism industry overview.

  • Safety Practices: First aid, handling emergencies, ensuring tourist safety, crowd management.

  • Indian Geography: Major tourist destinations, heritage sites, natural attractions, climate variations.

  • Indian History and Culture: Ancient civilizations, medieval history, modern India, cultural diversity (festivals, cuisine, arts).

  • Communication Skills: Effective English speaking, body language, cross-cultural etiquette.

  • Tour Planning: Itinerary preparation, transport coordination, accommodation basics.

  • Customer Service: Understanding tourist needs, handling queries, building rapport.

Trade Practical

  • Safety Drills: Practicing first aid, conducting mock emergency evacuations, using safety kits.

  • Communication Practice: Role-playing guest interactions, delivering welcome speeches in English.

  • Site Familiarization: Visiting local heritage sites, noting key features (architecture, history).

  • Itinerary Drafting: Preparing sample tour plans for 1-3 day trips, including timelines.

  • Guiding Skills: Conducting mock tours, explaining historical facts, managing group dynamics.

  • Customer Interaction: Simulating query resolution, assisting tourists with travel logistics.

  • Project Work: Design a 2-day tour itinerary for a local tourist site, present a guided tour narrative.

Hours: Theory: 160 hours | Practical: 240 hours


Semester 2

Trade Theory

  • Advanced Tourism Concepts: Sustainable tourism, global tourism trends, role of UNESCO sites.

  • Indian Art and Architecture: Temples, forts, colonial buildings, modern landmarks.

  • Travel Management: Budgeting tours, visa/passport guidance, handling cancellations.

  • Language Enhancement: Advanced English for storytelling, basic phrases in foreign languages (e.g., French, Spanish).

  • Environmental Awareness: Wildlife sanctuaries, eco-friendly practices, conservation efforts.

  • Entrepreneurship: Starting a tour guide business, marketing tourism services, online platforms.

  • Technology in Tourism: Using GPS, travel apps, social media for tour promotion.

Trade Practical

  • Advanced Guiding: Leading full-day mock tours, narrating detailed historical/cultural stories.

  • Travel Coordination: Booking transport/accommodation for mock tours, managing schedules.

  • Language Practice: Delivering tour commentary in English, practicing basic foreign phrases.

  • Eco-Tourism Tasks: Conducting nature trail tours, explaining conservation practices.

  • Digital Tools: Using travel apps for navigation, creating social media posts for tours.

  • Customer Handling: Resolving complex tourist complaints, upselling tour packages.

  • Project Work: Organize and lead a 3-day mock tour for a group, including itinerary, narration, and logistics.

Hours: Theory: 160 hours | Practical: 240 hours


Additional Components

  • Workshop Calculation and Science

    • Calculations: Tour budgeting, distance/time calculations, currency conversion.

    • Science: Weather impacts on tourism, environmental science basics.

    • Hours: 80 hours/year

  • Engineering Drawing

    • Drawings: Site maps, tour route plans, layout of heritage sites.

    • Hours: 80 hours/year

  • Employability Skills

    • Communication: Professional English for tourists, multilingual greetings, group coordination.

    • IT Literacy: Online booking systems, GPS tools, social media marketing.

    • Soft Skills: Time management, stress handling, resume writing, interview preparation.

    • Hours: 60 hours/year


Assessment and Certification

  • Exams:

    • Theory: Written exams per semester (MCQs, descriptive questions).

    • Practical: Conducting guided tours, itinerary planning, tourist interaction, safety drills.

  • Evaluation Criteria: Knowledge of sites, communication clarity, tour management, safety adherence.

  • Certification: NCVT National Trade Certificate (NTC), globally recognized.


Career Opportunities

  • Employment: Tourist guide, travel escort, or tour coordinator in travel agencies, hotels, or government tourism boards.

  • Self-Employment: Independent tour guide, travel blogging, tourism startup.

  • Further Studies: Diploma in Tourism Management, certifications in foreign languages or adventure tourism