AP Tourism & Rapido Launch India’s First Driver-Cum-Guide Training Program In Vijayawada

The Government of Andhra Pradesh’s Tourism Department recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rapido for the implementation of a Driver-cum-Guide Training Programme during the Partnership Summit. The MoU was signed in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Kandula Durgesh, and Rapido Co-founder Shri Pavan Guntupalli.

As a follow-up to this strategic partnership, Andhra Pradesh Tourism has officially launched the Driver-cum-Guide Training Programme in Vijayawada. The programme commenced on 24 February 2026 and represents a significant step towards strengthening tourist-facing services through structured capacity building.

The two-day training module provides six hours of intensive training, including a storytelling course by Jignasa Artverse, to each participating taxi and auto driver. The comprehensive curriculum includes:

• Destination Literacy

• Use of Bhashini and Google Translate applications

• Storytelling techniques for visitor engagement

• Tourist safety protocols

• Buddhist Circuit and historical orientation

• Dos and don’ts while interacting with tourists

This first-of-its-kind initiative in India aims to transform local drivers into informed tourism ambassadors, enhancing the overall visitor experience. Upon successful completion of training and evaluation, participants will be awarded certification. Additionally, a dedicated “Tourist Guide” icon will be integrated into the Rapido app to identify certified driver-guides for tourists.

The programme is being implemented under the capacity-building initiatives of Swadesh Darshan, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and is aligned with the Challenge-Based Destination Development Programme for Nagarjunsagar.

The pilot phase will conclude on 06 March 2026, with a total of 280 auto and cab drivers undergoing training in Vijayawada. It was particularly encouraging to witness the participation of a lady auto driver, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the initiative.

The response from the drivers has been highly positive. Shri Raju, an auto driver from NTR District, shared that the initiative would enable them to interact more professionally with tourists. He expressed enthusiasm about welcoming both domestic and international visitors and showcasing Vijayawada through his lens, while also hoping for more such training opportunities in the future.

Following the successful completion of the Vijayawada pilot, the programme will be extended to Tirupati and Visakhapatnam, further strengthening Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to service excellence and experiential tourism.