Hyderabad: The Tourism, Hospitality, Media, MICE, Entertainment and Events Committee of Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) rolled out its ambitious initiative called 'Athithi Devobhava’ which means “Guest is God”. This novel campaign brands auto rickshaw/ cab drivers as tourism ambassadors.
The first contact tourists make on arrival into any city is auto or cab drivers. Their behaviour will make or mar the image of the place. The Tourism Committee's initiative is to make these drivers realise their importance and teach them basic etiquette, English, first aid, and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating). “Auto drivers and tourist cab drivers are the real faces of any city, place, State or nation,” said Meela Jayadev, President of FTCCI.
