In collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and the United Nations Development Programme, the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki organized a one-day refresher training session for trekking guides on Friday. This initiative was part of the Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Recovery Project (STLRP).
The training session saw the participation of 80 guides, facilitated by experts Deepak Bastola and Dipendra Pahari. TAAN Gandaki President, Dharma Raj Panthi, highlighted that the training aimed to update guides who have been working in the trekking and mountaineering sector for 15 to 20 years.
The curriculum covered various crucial aspects, including effective guiding techniques, map reading, GPS tracking, effective communication with tourists, emergency protocols, and handling illegal activities by tourists. Motivational training was also provided by Dipendra Pahari, encouraging participants to remain dedicated to their work.
TAAN Gandaki Vice President, Krishna Prasad Acharya, noted that many guides who had returned to their villages during the COVID-19 pandemic are now resuming their work. The training is intended to equip them with the necessary skills to face current challenges and excel as proficient guides.
Participant Ganesh Dahal expressed confidence that the knowledge gained from the training would help them provide excellent service to tourists. According to TAAN Gandaki, there are about 3,000 guides and assistants working across 175 trekking companies in the Gandaki region.
