More competition coming,but out-of-work guides ask why

Even as the Ministry of Tourism is planning to bring in 1,400 new guides for the Commonwealth Games,the existing ones in the Capital complain that there is hardly any work for them,especially during the summer months. According to the Tourist Guides’ Federation of India,an association of tour guides from around the country,due to the surplus of guides in Delhi,most guides here work for just 14 days during the peak season. The rest of the year,they work less than seven days a month. Paid anywhere between Rs 750 and Rs 1,350 per day,it is a struggle for survival,especially for the newcomers.

With surplus comes exploitation,says Federation president Vijay Kumar Sharda. The fee structure of a guide is fixed by the Federation in consultation with the Tour Operators Association of India who are the main employers. “But when there are so many guides in the city,it is easier for the tour operators to rig with the fixed fee. As there is very less work,a tour guide agrees to take a smaller fee in return for some work,” says Sharda.

The Federation is also unhappy with the ministry’s move to bring in 1,400 additional guides for the Commonwealth Games as this will only mean more competition and lesser work. Sharda explains that the Games will happen for only 14 days and most people would be watching the events and not go for long tours. So what is the need for extra guides,he asks.

Goswami says the surplus is because licences for guides in the northern region are issued from New Delhi and so most people who apply are from the city. “We have tried to talk to ministry officials on this issue,but nothing has worked out so far,” he says.