Highlighting gaps in India’s tourism ecosystem, Prateek Hira, President & CEO, Tornos and River Rhapsody, said the country’s tourist guide system needs urgent reform. “They are just saying that we have produced 1,000 guides. Where are those 1,000 guides? Where are they stationed?” he asked, adding that many trained guides are still unable to enter key ASI monuments such as the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Hira also stressed the need for proper quality grading, language specialisation, and stronger coordination between tourism authorities and monument management bodies.
Janice Alyosius is a travel and MICE journalist focusing on business travel, destination marketing, aviation and industry policy. She leads editorial content at MICEtalk and also writes for TravTalk, covering global trends, trade developments and key industry conversations. With regular reporting from tourism forums, conventions and on-ground industry events, her work blends news-led analysis with strong industry voices, offering clear context and relevance for travel trade professionals and decision-makers.