The AIOM Want to Upgrade the Profession of Tourist Guide

The AIOM, the Association of Inbound Operators (Mauritius), decided to set the bar very high by helping a group of specialists whose tourist seldom discussed: the guides.

"Mauritius needs highly qualified professional guides," says Marie-Line Marion, president of AIOM is composed of 18 members, at a press briefing Thursday, February 16 at the Hotel School Sir Gaetan Duval. 

International Tourist Guide Day that will celebrate AIOM this Friday, February 24th at the Hotel School, is the first phase of a major awareness campaign. 

The AIOM, whose members receive around 60% of tourist arrivals in Mauritius , expects to make its credentials in the profession of tourist guide. Tour Operators Association today recognized excellence and motivation are not the values that drive the young guides. "In the 80 and 90, there were among the guides of graduate women, wives of senior officials and businessmen on the island. This decline is explained among others by the tourist boom and the urgent needs of growing enrollment, "said Marie-Line Marion.

The action plan proposed by the AIOM includes the development of an "Apprenticeship Scheme" in collaboration with the Hotel School and its implementation by the institution. Will benefit from now, students enrolled. The Apprenticeship Scheme will offer the opportunity for real time training on the ground at least three days a week with a receptive recognized. 

To celebrate International Tourist Guide this Feb. 24, 2012, The AIOM and its partners invited thirty secondary schools to join them at the Hotel School. With the support of various receptive, a day of sharing and discovery will be offered to students and aspiring guides, this in order to offer an overview of the role of being a tour guide. "

This summit is under the sign of enhancement of this noble profession, "said the president of the AIOM. Marie-Line Marion, she made her debut in tourism as a tour guide, recognizes the contribution of the latter in the service provided during the stay of the client, whether in the implementation of excursions or transfers. 

This project is also support by the Tourism Minister Michael Sik Yuen. In a meeting with the latter, the importance of having a School of Foreign Languages was raised by the President of the AIOM. 

This project aimed at professionalization of guide through appropriate training, wants to provide better prospects for wages for guides, in addition to job satisfaction. 

AIOM formed in 1992, includes receptive and car rental agencies in Mauritius, with the primary objective of promoting and maintaining a high level of efficiency and probity, its members provide a high quality service to tourists visiting our island.? 

Services include: 

• •Airport reception
• Transfer to hotel
• Accommodation in hotels, private villas and bungalows
• Car Rental Services
• Excursions across the island, and other tourist services
• Assistance to customers during their stay 

The receptive are important and are a key step in the tourism industry, they are a link in the chain, along as airlines and hotels. The car rental agencies, members of the association, are franchised dealers with international companies.