Orientation for taxi drivers in Kalimpong

Kalimpong : The Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Association of Kalimpong (Horak) will conduct an orientation programme for taxi drivers here tomorrow to make them more tourist-friendly.

Thirty-two members of 16 different taxi drivers’ associations from the subdivision will attend the programme, being conducted for the first time.

The Horak initiative is aimed at making the drivers realise that they are vital cogs in the wheels of tourism.

“Since the drivers generally are the first contact persons for tourists and spend most of the time with the visitors, we feel they are ideally placed to play the role of ambassadors for tourism,” said Sanjogita Subba, the president of the Horak.

The programme couldn’t have been timed better, given the approaching autumn when tourists flock to the hills in large numbers. “We had been planning to organise this programme for quite some time now, and are happy that it is finally about to materialise,” said Subba.

Bharat Mani Pradhan and Shamsher Ali, will be the resource persons at the programme.

While Ali will tell the drivers the places of interest around the town which generally do not figure on the tourists’ must-see list, Pradhan will lay stress on social etiquettes and driving discipline.

The drivers’ bodies are optimistic about the outcome of the meet. “We discuss these issues among ourselves, but at times it helps to interact with others and know their views as well,” said Tshering Dorjee, the president of Kalimpong Mainline Taxi Drivers’ Welfare Association.

Source: The Telegraph

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