GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM
[Travel Trade Division]

NO. TT-501/1/2020-TT Dated: January 11th, 2021*

Modified guidelines for the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF)

and Incredible India Tourist Guide (IITG) Certification Programme*

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, continuously endeavors to build

capacity of all stakeholders with whom the visitor is likely to interact
desiring that each interaction result in a superior experience for the
visitors. As tourism around the world gets competitive, destinations need to
differentiate themselves on the basis of their distinct personalities and their
ability to create a positive image in the minds of customers and prospective
visitors to the country.

The success will therefore largely depend upon the competence of the
person mediating the experience for the visitor. This role would invariably
be played by the Tourist- Facilitator. Tourist Facilitator is the most important
touch point for the visitor, with the satisfaction of the visitor directly related
to the quality of immersion in the local experience. At present, the supply
of such professionals has gaps in quantity and quality. A number of places
of touristic importance in the country have a short supply of trained Tourist
Facilitators.

2. Sphere of work of Tourist Facilitators

2.1 Tourist Facilitators are essentially interpreters of a

place/event/experience. A tourist facilitator’s job is both delightful and
challenging. A tourist facilitator is tasked with making tourist spots
appealing, explaining intricate stories of history, mythology, culture, nature,
cuisine, art, etc., eliciting interest and awe in the visitor about the country.
He/she has to uphold the cultural traditions and heritage, of the place being
visited and also talk of social customs, heritage, myths and even local
folklores.

2.2 A Tourist-Facilitator must have:

• Knowledge

• Interpretation Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Execution Skills

To expand the scope of their work, they must acquire necessary experience
of working as interpreters, hone their communication skills and gradually
acquire domain knowledge about various tourist destinations.

3. Categories of Tourist Facilitators

There shall be two categories of Tourist Facilitators:

i) Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) (Basic): This would be

basic category of tourist facilitators, having knowledge of Destinations in
India and Experiences that India Offers to the tourists. The institution of
tourist facilitators would be a basic component of the infrastructural
requirement both for International and Domestic tourism. The tourist
facilitators would also facilitate in providing pleasant and satisfying stay for
the tourist during their visit to India.

ii) Incredible India Tourist Guide (IITG): These would be specialized

Tourist Guides in different areas of tourism. The IITFC Basic category
certificate holder would be eligible to enroll/register for the Incredible
India Tourist Guide (IITG) Level Category. The IITG category of tourist
Guides would be of two types to start with: -

a. IITG (Heritage) - Heritage tourism is broadly defined as

travelling to experience the places, artefacts and activities that
authentically represent the stories and people of the past and can
include cultural, historic and natural resources. India is the perfect
amalgamation of religions, customs, languages, and traditions and is
reflected in its opulent heritage. The country is a treasure trove of
art, philosophy, architecture, classical dances, flora, fauna, music
and much more making it a destination ideal for heritage tourism.
This category of tourist guides would be having specialized
knowledge in the field of history, culture & heritage.

b. IITG (Adventure) - Adventure tourism includes a wide range of

outdoor activities. Adventure tourists engage in activities that are
physically challenging and sometimes dangerous, or perceived to be
so. Examples are sports such as trekking, mountaineering, white
water rafting and scuba diving. India, being a place of diverse terrain
with mountains, rocks, forests, beaches, desert and rivers, offers
much scope for adventure tourism, making it more exciting for
adventure seekers. This category of tourist guides would be having
specialized knowledge in the field of adventure tourism activities
along with good interpersonal communication skills, critical thinking,
planning and organizational skills. The tourist guides under this
category must be adventurous, confident and passionate.

4. Certification of Specialization in spoken language: The spoken

language is an optional specialization programme, which a candidate may
opt for after completion of IITF (Basic) and/ or IITG certification. Any IITF
(Basic) and/or IITG category certificate holder having fluency in spoken
foreign language (other than English) is eligible for registration. A
candidate can also opt for language specialization in more than one
language. The applicant is required to upload his IITF (Basic) and/ or IITG
certificate at the time of registration for the language specialization.

5. Eligibility and Registration procedure for joining the Incredible

India Tourist Facilitator Course for Basic and Incredible India
Tourist Guide (IITG) (Heritage & Adventure) Category:

a) Eligibility criteria:

i. The candidate must have attained the age of 18 years as on the date of
registration to the course on the portal by the candidate
(https://iitf.gov.in).
ii. For IITFC (Basic): The candidate below the age of 40 years should have
completed 10+2 or equivalent examination whereas the candidates of
40 years of age and above should have completed 10 or equivalent
examination conducted by any recognized Board by Government of
India/State Government on or before the date of registration to the
course.
iii. For IITG (Heritage & Adventure): The candidate must hold a
Graduate degree of any of the Universities incorporated by an
Act of the central or State Legislature in India or other
educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or
declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the
University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an
equivalent qualification on or before the date of registration to
the course.

He/she may register himself/herself by uploading all the

following documents on the IITFC website/portal: -

a. Document showing age proof (copy of 10th Class Board

Certificate/ Passport issued by the authority)
b. Address Proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving
License, Ration Card, Voter ID Card or Certificate of
Residence proof by the competent authority)
c. For IITFC (Basic): 10+2 or equivalent Certificate (as indicated
inpara (a) ii of the
eligibility criteria), and
d. For IITG (Heritage & Adventure): Graduation or equivalent
degree (as indicated in para (a) iii of the eligibility criteria),
and
e. Caste certificate (in case of SC/ST candidate) issued by the
competent authority.
 iv. To register under Incredible India Tourist Guide (IITG)
category a candidate must be an IITFC Basic category
certificate holder.

b) Registration process:

i. Any person aspiring to be an IITF/IITG certificate holder needs to

register himself on the IITF portal giving all the details as required
therein. In the process of registration, he/she will be creating a User
Id. and Password. The registration would be based on Aadhaar Card
No. issued by UIDAI or Voter Card Id. No. issued by Election
Commission of India along with One Time Password (OTP) based
verification using Mobile Number.

ii. He/she is required to upload the documents such as age proof, minimum
qualification requirement, etc. as specified under Para 5. a) (i) & (ii)
above in accordance with the specification given.

iii. The candidate is required to pay registration fee of Rs. 2000/- (Rupees
two thousand) only (non-refundable), or as modified from time to
time, through the payment gateway as specified on the website/portal.
The SC and ST candidates, candidates who are domicile residence of
the Union Territory of Ladak, Jammu & Kashmir, candidates who are
the domicile residence of Aspirational Districts as identified by NITI
AAYOG (as amended from time to time**) (Annexure-1) and IITTM
students are exempted from registration fee. The candidates from SC
and ST category are required to upload a caste certificate issued by the
competent authority and the candidates who are the domicile residence
of the Union Territory of Ladak, Jammu & Kashmir and Aspirational
Districts as identified by NITI AAYOG are required to upload an
address/domicile residence proof issued by the competent authority.

The Ministry Of Tourism has decided that a 50% concession will be

extended to all women applicants/candidates towards the enrollment
fee(Basic Programme) for the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator
Certification Programme being conducted by the Indian Institute of
Travel and Tourism Management(IITTM) w.e.f 08.04.2022.

iv. The candidate is required to pay registration fee of Rs. 5000/- (Rupees
five thousand) only (non-refundable) for IITG Advance-Heritage
programme, or as modified from time to time, through the payment
gateway as specified on the website/portal. The SC and ST candidates,
candidates who are domicile residence of the Union Territory of Ladak,
Jammu & Kashmir, candidates who are the domicile residence of
Aspirational Districts as identified by NITI AAYOG (as amended from
time to time**) (Annexure-1) and IITTM students are given and the
exemption of 50% of the programme enrollment fee.
 v. The certificate submitted by the candidate at the time of registration
would be subject to verification by the concerned authorities. In case,
atany point of time, it is found that the candidate had submitted a false
or fabricated certificate, his/her IITF/IITG Certification would be
cancelled without any prior notice and the fee paid for registration will
be forfeited.

vi. The registration of the candidate would be subject to Police verification

of character and antecedents. In case, police verification of character
and antecedents of a candidate is found negative, his/her candidature
would be terminated forthwith without any prior notice.

vii. Registration once done will be valid for three years and it can be renewed
for a period of further two years with a payment of 50% fee to be paid
by the candidate at the time of initial registration.

6. Structure of IITF/IITG Certification

6.1 Each course of IITF (Basic) and IITG would be divided into different
modules. Once registered, the candidate is required to go through the
contents of the course as uploaded on the IITF/IITG web portal and
complete the assignments/questionnaire.

6.2 The Basic IITF certification programme Course is divided into various
Modules. The first six modules aim to equip candidate with basic
knowledge and skills required by a Tourist facilitator. The last Module is
related with tourist destinations and experiences of different States of
India.

6.3 It is mandatory for the candidate to complete at least one State for
completion of course.
However, more State modules can be taken up to enhance individual
knowledge (optional).

6.4 Each module in the course will have to be completed so as to gain

access to the next module. The course will require completion of all
modules. After completion of module, an Online Course Completion
Certificate (OCC) will be generated. Once generated, OCC will be valid for
three years from the date of issuance.

6.5 The candidate must obtain OCC minimum one month before
registering for End-of Programme examination.

7. Refresher Course:

7.1 Before completion of five years’ validation period, a Tourist Facilitator has to
undergo two weeks’ online refresher course to be conducted by IITTM.

7.2 It would be mandatory for IITF- Basic and IITG to get them registered
for refresher programme. The candidate may get themselves registered
for refresher courses well before four months of expiry of five years’
validity period.

7.3 There would be no registration fee for undergoing refresher course.

They will have to get themselves registered using their existing and valid
IITF /IITG Certificate and Aadhaar card number given by UIDAI or Voter
ID card issued by Election Commission of India and their mobile number.

7.4 Once they have completed the online refresher course, certified by
Ministry of Tourism Govt. of India, the existing IITF / IITG certificate and
badge would be renewed by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India for a
period of further five years.

8. Provision for Existing Valid Regional Level Guide License Holders

8.1 This platform will give an opportunity to the existing valid Regional
Level Guides Licenses holders to get listed on the IITF online web portal,
once they are inducted under Incredible India Tourist Guide
(IITG)Certification Programme.

8.2 All existing valid Regional Level Guide License holders will have to
mandatorily undergo the IITG Refresher Course before 30.09.2021 and on
completion of the IITG Refresher Course, RLG’s will be given the IITG -
(Heritage/Adventure) category certification, which would enable them to
continue guiding and facilitating the tourist at ASI Protected Monuments
and Heritage Sites on Pan-India basis.

8.3 For registration under IITG Refresher Course they have to upload their
RLG License issued by the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Tourism, Govt.
of India. No fee is payable for this purpose. No pre- qualification or any
such other requirement is needed for them.

9. Examination for IITFC (Basic) and IITG (Heritage/Adventure).

Once the candidate has successfully completed all the modules of the course
and generated Online Course Completion Certificate, he/she may register for
the examination by paying an examination fee of Rs 500/- (non-
refundable) or as modified from time to time. The SC and ST candidates,
the candidates who are domicile residence of the Union Territory of Ladak,
Jammu & Kashmir and the candidates who are the domicile
residence of Aspirational Districts as identified by NITI AAYOG (as
amended from time to time**) (Annexure-1) are exempted from the
examination fee. Examination would be conducted online by the agency so
identified by IITTM.

9.1 Examination Centers would be at identified location as selected by the

candidate out of the various given options. No request for change of
examination center would be entertained once it is allocated and further
training and internships will be conducted in and around this Centre.
Centre selection will be done in coordination with RegionalDirectors and
third party examination agency.

9.2 Normally the examination would be conducted twice in the calendar

year i.e. June & December. The enrolment for June exams would be closed
on 30th April and for December exam on 31st October.

9.3 Examination for spoken languages would also be held in various

identified local spoken language. Each candidate is required to secure
minimum passing/qualifying marks of 50% (Fifty Percentage) in the spoken
test. Candidates can appear any number of times for an examination.

9.4 In case a candidate fails to secure minimum qualifying marks in the

first attempt, he/she would be entitled to attempt the end-of-programme
examination again till the validity of his/her OCC certificate on the payment
of examination fees (if applicable).

9.5 Candidates who have passed the end-of programme examination will
be eligible for further Training and Internship. The candidates will undergo
a seven days training conducted by IITTM at the same centre selected by
candidate for End- of programme examination. The candidates are then
required to undertake mandatory internship of seven working days with
tour operators approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India at the
selected centres. Regional Directors India Tourism offices will support in
arranging internships for candidates.

9.6 After completion of all the above formalities i.e. qualifying the
examination, internship, behaviour skill training, verification of documents
and police verification, the candidates would be awarded IITF Basic/IITG
(Heritage/Adventure) certificate.

9.7 The IITF Certificate would be a unique ID along with “Incredible India
Badge (अअुǐअअअअअ fअǎ अ )– 1 (Basic) & Badge – 2 (अअुǐअअअअअ fअǎ अ) (IITG
(Heritage/Adventure)” / issued by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. The
spoken language certification would be specified on the “Incredible India
Badge”. All certified badge holders would be listed on Incredible India
website where a data base of certified Tourist Facilitator would be
maintained by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. This would be available
for use by all interested stakeholders.

10. Disqualification of IITF/IITG

10.1 It is expected that IITF/IITG certificate holders will deliver their work
in professional and ethical manner with due diligence and sincerity. All IITF
/IITG Certificate holders would be required to online give their acceptance

for observance of ‘Code of Conduct’ as prescribed by the Ministry of

Tourism, Government of India (Annexure-2).

10.2 In case there is any serious complaint against the functioning,

behaviour etc. against an IITF/IITG certificate holder, be of any categories,
the matter will be considered by a committee headed by ADG(T), Divisional
head of Travel Trade Division of the Ministry and members drawn from
IITTM. The matter will be first investigated/ inquired by Regional Director,
India tourism, in whose region the alleged incident took place. He will
submit the report to the committee as mentioned above. In case the
allegation/complaint against the IITF/IITG Certificate holder is found valid/
correct, the said Tourist Facilitator/Tourist Guide may be disqualified to
perform in his capacity according to the decisions of the competent
authority.

11. This issue is in supersession of the earlier guidelines issued on this

subject by the Ministry of Tourism vide Ref. No. TT/2/2018 -O/o ASSTT. DG
(TT) dated 25.11.2019 and dated 28.02.2020 respectively.

* IITF/IITG Certification Programme Guidelines [As modified from

time to time]

** List of Aspirational Districts identified by NITI AAYOG as on

24.07.2019 (Annexure-1).

(Annexure – 1)

NITI AAYOG Transforming Aspirational Districts as on 24.07.2019

List of 112 Aspirational
Districts

S.No. State District

1 Andhra Pradesh Vizianagaram

2 Andhra Pradesh Visakhapatnam

3 Andhra Pradesh Y.S.R. Kadapa

4 Arunachal Namsai
Pradesh
5 Assam Goalpara

6 Assam Barpeta

7 Assam Hailakandi

8 Assam Baksa

9 Assam Darrang

10 Assam Udalguri
 11 Assam Dhubri

12 Bihar Sitamarhi

13 Bihar Araria

14 Bihar Purnia

15 Bihar Katihar

16 Bihar Muzaffarpur

17 Bihar Begusarai

18 Bihar Khagaria

19 Bihar Banka

20 Bihar Sheikhpura

21 Bihar Aurangabad

22 Bihar Gaya

23 Bihar Nawada

24 Bihar Jamui

25 Chhattisgarh Korba

26 Chhattisgarh Rajnandgaon

27 Chhattisgarh Mahasamund

28 Chhattisgarh Kanker

29 Chhattisgarh Narayanpur

30 Chhattisgarh Dantewada

31 Chhattisgarh Bijapur

32 Chhattisgarh Bastar
33 Chhattisgarh Kondagaon

34 Chhattisgarh Sukma

35 Gujarat DAHOD
36 Gujarat Narmada

37 Haryana Mewat

38 Himachal Chamba
Pradesh

39 Jammu & Kupwara

Kashmir

40 Jammu & Kashmir Baramula

41 Jharkhand Garhwa

42 Jharkhand Chatra

43 Jharkhand Giridih

44 Jharkhand Godda

45 Jharkhand Sahibganj

46 Jharkhand Pakur

47 Jharkhand Bokaro

48 Jharkhand Lohardaga

49 Jharkhand Purbi Singhbhum

50 Jharkhand Palamu

51 Jharkhand Latehar

52 Jharkhand Hazaribagh

53 Jharkhand Ramgarh

54 Jharkhand Dumka

55 Jharkhand Ranchi

56 Jharkhand Khunti

57 Jharkhand Gumla

58 Jharkhand Simdega

59 Jharkhand Pashchimi
Singhbhum

60 Karnataka Raichur
61 Karnataka Yadgir

62 Kerala Wayanad

63 Madhya Pradesh Chhatarpur

64 Madhya Pradesh Damoh

65 Madhya Pradesh Barwani

66 Madhya Pradesh Rajgarh

67 Madhya Pradesh Vidisha

68 Madhya Pradesh Guna

69 Madhya Pradesh Singrauli

70 Madhya Pradesh Khandwa

71 Maharashtra Nandurbar

72 Maharashtra Washim

73 Maharashtra Gadchiroli

74 Maharashtra Osmanabad

75 Manipur Chandel

76 Meghalaya Ribhoi

77 Mizoram Mamit

78 Nagaland Kiphire

79 Odisha Dhenkanal

80 Odisha Gajapati

81 Odisha Kandhamal

82 Odisha Balangir

83 Odisha Kalahandi

84 Odisha Rayagada
85 Odisha Koraput

86 Odisha Malkangiri

87 Odisha Nawarangpur

88 Odisha Nuapada

89 Punjab Moga

90 Punjab Firozpur

91 Rajasthan Dholpur

92 Rajasthan Karauli

93 Rajasthan Jaisalmer

94 Rajasthan Sirohi

95 Rajasthan Baran

96 Sikkim West Sikkim

97 Tamil Nadu Virudhunagar

98 Tamil Nadu Ramanathapuram

99 Telangana Asifabad

100 Telangana Bhopapalli

101 Telangana Bhadradri

Kothagudem

102 Tripura Dhalai

103 Uttar Pradesh Chitrakoot

104 Uttar Pradesh Fatehpur

105 Uttar Pradesh Bahraich

106 Uttar Pradesh Shrawasti

107 Uttar Pradesh Balrampur

108 Uttar Pradesh Siddharthnagar

 109 Uttar Pradesh Chandauli

110 Uttar Pradesh Sonebhadra

111 Uttarakhand Udham Singh Nagar

112 Uttarakhand Haridwar

********

(Annexure – 2)
‘Code of Conduct’ for Incredible India Tourist Facilitator
(IITF)/Incredible India Tourist Guide (IITG) Certificate holder

1. The IITF /IITG Certificate holder, when on duty, shall; always wear
“Incredible India Badge (अअुǐअअअअअ fअǎ अ)– 1 (Basic) & Badge – 2
(अअुǐअअअअअ fअǎ अ) (IITG - Heritage/Adventure)” issued by Ministry of
Tourism, Govt. of India and also wear the name tag while
accompanying the tourists.
2. The IITF / IITG Certificate is strictly non – transferable and the
IITF/IITG Certificate holder would not lend his / her ‘Incredible India
Badge’ or any other document which may have been issued to him /
her by Ministry of Tourism to any other person(s). Any violation of this
rule would make him / her liable to disciplinary action and IITF/IITG
Certificate holder may be disqualified to perform in his capacity
according to the decisions of the competent authority.
3. In case of loss or damage to the ‘Incredible India Badge’ the IITF/IITG
Certificate holder would immediately inform the office of concerned
India Tourism and the nearest Police Station. The Tourist Facilitator/
IITG has to apply for the duplicate ‘Incredible India Badge’ on the
basis of First Information Report (FIR) and statement that the
‘Incredible India Badge’ has been lost. The Tourist Facilitator/IITG
would be responsible for the safe custody of the ‘Incredible India
Badge’.
A nominal fee to be determined by the concerned Regional Director in
consultation with the Ministry of Tourism from time to time would be
charged for issuance of Duplicate ‘Incredible India Badge’.

4. The IITF/ IITG Certificate holder would not solicit tips from tourists.

5. The IITF/ IITG Certificate holder would dress in a presentable manner

to uphold the dignity and honor of the profession to which he / she
belongs and of the country.
6. The IITF/ IITG Certificate holder would not canvass business of any kind
on behalf of the business houses, travel agents, hoteliers, paying -
guest houses, shop-keepers, transport operators, etc., nor he / she
 would accept monetary commission from them or indulge in any other
unethical practices.
7. The IITF/ IITG Certificate holder if found to be canvassing for shopping
establishments like shops selling handicrafts etc., would be liable for

withdrawal of their Certificate. Under no circumstances should any

IITF/ IITG Certificate holder will accompany the tourists to shops. In
case, any IITF Certificate holder is found to have contravened this
provision his / her Certificate is liable to be cancelled / revoked.
8. The IITF/ IITG Certificate holder would not refuse without valid reasons
any assignments given to him / her by the tourist or by any agencies
such as travel agents’ / tour operators / hoteliers, etc.
9. The IITF/ IITG Certificate holder would maintain good conduct and
courteous behavior towards tourists or other officials with whom he /
she comes in contact during the course of his / her assignment.

*********