Tourism businesses seeking full recognition in Odisha will have to demonstrate that their staff are professionally trained, with the state introducing a three-month certification programme for operators that currently do not have trained personnel.The requirement comes under the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy-2026. Operators that meet other eligibility conditions but lack trained staff can be granted provisional recognition, but final approval will depend on their employees completing the prescribed Tourism Service Provider (TSP) certification.The training is intended to prepare frontline tourism personnel for the practical demands of handling visitors. It will cover areas ranging from travel bookings and foreign exchange to accommodation, transport and guide arrangements. Staff will also receive training in communication, guest relations, safety and sanitation, along with requirements connected with adventure tourism.The course will be offered in hybrid mode through the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Bhubaneswar, or another institution authorised by the.As reported by The New Indian Express, The provision will cover different categories of tourism operators, including startups, green-shoot enterprises and established businesses that are provisionally recognised because they do not yet have qualified personnel. Existing recognised operators can also send their employees for the certification. The revised policy places other conditions on tourism businesses as well. A startup applying as a tourist transport operator must have at least two vehicles, while an experienced operator must maintain a fleet of at least four tourist vehicles.Drivers employed by these operators will also be subject to basic service standards. They will be required to wear uniforms while working and display identification during duty.Applications for recognition will undergo scrutiny by an eight-member committee headed by the Tourism director. The committee will examine the documents submitted by applicants, including the certification forwarded through the district tourism development officer.The new training requirement therefore links official recognition with the quality and preparedness of personnel delivering tourism services, while the amended policy also sets operational standards for transport providers and the process through which applications are assessed.
Odisha Introduces 3-Month Tourism Certification for Tour Operator Staff
