Tourism drives the state’s economy. It has also in a big waycreated employment opportunities to the locals.
Besides the staff recruited at various hotels, self employedtourist taxi drivers, restaurants and eateries, shacks, water sports operatorsetc. all have had a slice of the tourism pie.
Tourist guides is one such profession which has carved aniche for itself. Not many have ventured into it but the few, who are full timein it, have a roaring time.
Maria Fernandes just celebrated her 51st birthday on October1.
She is happy freelancing as a tourist guide for 30 oddyears.
“I love my work and to be honest it pays a decent income,especially if you are a good guide,” she gushes.
Maria leaves home at 5.30 am if there is a call from acruise liner and returns home 12 hours later. For a North Goa tour she leaveshome by 8-8.30 am and an hour earlier for a South Goa tour.
Originally from Uganda, Maria’s search for a job in ’80s ledher to a private travel agency office. Completing a guide’s training coursefrom the tourism department, she started freelancing from 1986.
She happily continues being a guide along with hercolleagues Debra, Jennie and Pramila.
Maria acknowledges that it’s a seasonal profession but says:“It is most rewarding one, especially if one has good interpersonal skills,command over languages and willingness to do homework.” “You also need to be anavid reader,” she adds.
The fees for guides have been fixed by the Department ofTourism.
For an individual tourist to a group of five the fees are Rs750-950. For a bigger group it is Rs 950-1225. It increases further to Rs1225-1650 depending on the size of the group.
There are approximately 100 registered tourist guides in Goawith 90 percent of them males. Barring a few, most female guides have not takenthis profession seriously.
“There is continuous demand for more guides as only 35 areactive and working full time. The government should conduct a training courseduring the off season,” said F X Fernandes, President of Goa Tourist GuidesAssociation.
“During the season we work for full day (eight hours) orhalf day (four hours). For an outstation offer the fee is fixed at Rs1500-2000. Sometimes lodging and boarding is provided free by the hotel or thetravel agency,” says Fernandes, who at 63 has put in 43 years of service as atourist guide.
If a guide is proficient in a foreign language he isentitled for an additional language allowance of Rs 250, depending on thenumber of tourists.
Fluent in Portuguese Bento Rodrigues entered this professionby chance. He is one of the privileged few, who represented India to receivespecial training at Porto in Portugal in 1995.
“Liga dos Amigos de Goa, Daman and Diu bore the expenses forour training,” remembers Bento who entertains visitors from Portugal, England,South America and Scandinavian countries.
Agnel Ferrao also caters to Portuguese speaking guests forthe last 30 years.
