Mysuru: “Tourist guides should always provide accurate and factual  information and data on historical sites and other tourist spots,” said Karnataka Tourism Department Joint Director Motilal Krishna Lamani.

He was speaking after inaugurating a training workshop on “Foreign Languages” for tourist guides organised in association with Tourism Department at Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre in Manasagangothri campus here on Monday.

“Disseminating wrong history to tourists may ultimately end up with wrong history becoming rooted orally and traditionally. As such, it is important that guides provide accurate data, statistics and information to tourists,” Lamani pointed out.

Stating that as per available statistics, as many as 30 crore tourists visit the country every year, Lamani said the Indian tourism industry is a trillion dollar industry bringing in substantial income to the Government.

Stressing on the need for tourism industry to enable economic empowerment with co-operation of the people, he emphasised that the talent and skills of local tribal communities should get more publicity.

“Tourist guides should make best use of this workshop in taking their profession forward. All stakeholders including NGOs, hoteliers and members of the public should participate in promotion and development of tourism industry in the country,” he stated.

Tourism Department Assistant Director V.M. Prabhuswamy, in his address, said they believe that the phrase Atithi Devo Bhava (meaning Guests are God) is everything for the tourism industry. It is important that we bring about happiness in tourists and provide accurate information to them, he argued.

Training Centre Director Prof. H.P. Jyothi, SC/ST Special Cell faculty Kamalamma, Multi-Media Research Centre Director B. Srikantachar, Karnataka State Tourist Guides Association President S.J. Ashok and others were present.