TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICER EXAM SYLLABUS

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Tourism concepts-definitions-historical background;ancient era,medieval landmarks and modern development;Mass Tourism,Alternate Tourism,Eco Tourism, Responsible Tourism-Tourists-definitions & Classifications-Impacts of Tourism;Economic,Social and Environmental Impacts-Tourism System;generating region,transit region and receiving region-types of tourism;International,domestic,inter & Intraregional Tourism-Tourism Industry –Nature and Characteristics of Tourism Industry-Components of Tourism;Attractions-types,importance and characteristics-Accomodation-types and classification,Accessibility-types of  transportation and importance,Amenties-Stakeholders in Tourism Industry;Tourist,Business People,Government,NGOs,Communities,Travel Tour Operators and Others –Roles and Responsibilities-Tourist Destination;Nature and Characteristics,Components-Destination,Choice Process:Determining Factors,the Destination Experience of Tourists

(B)TRAVEL GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

Physical Geographical features of India-Mountains and Valleys,Forest and Wildlife,CoastalAreas-Deserts,Vegetation,Rivers,Lakes and Oceans,Climate and Vegetation,Islands-Cultural Geography of India-Historical  events,landmarks and mile stones-influence of various Invasions on Indian Culture-Social structure and Divisions of India-Major Destinations in North India,South India,North-Eastern India,Western India-Locations,Attractions,Accessibility-Major Airports-IATA Codes-Tourism Resource of India-WildlifeSanctuaries and National Parks-Cultural tourism resources-Fairsand Festivals-Dance forms and Music-Art and Architecture and its importance in Tourism development of India-Rail Tourism in India and Facilities-Heritage Sites(UNESCO Sites)and Attractions

(C)TOURISM GEOGRAPHY RESOURCES OF KERALA

Physical Geographical features of Kerala-Western Ghats,Rivers and Lakes,Beaches,Mountains and Valleys,Forest and Wildlife,Hill Stations,Backwaters,Ayurveda Tourism-Cultural and National Tourism Resources-Art and Architecture-Dance and Music-Fairs and Festivals-Historical Events-Heritage Sites and Tourism Importance-Major Destinations-Attractions,Accessibility-Recent Tourism Initiatives-Kerala Tourism Policy-Role of Department of Tourism-Tourism Organisations:DTPC,KTDC,BRDC,TRKL etc

PART II.INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public Relation:Nature,Concept and Definitions-Historical Perspective-Role of Public Relations Practitioners-Public Relations Activities-Distinction between:Public Relations.Propaganda,Advertising,Publicity-Public Opinion:Formulation,Tools for Winning Public Opinion,Pressure Groups-Process of Public Relations:Public Relation Officers:Profile of PRO,Work Assignment of Public Relations,Requirements of Success-Public Relations in Indian public sector-Skill needed for Public Relations-Public Relation for Communication-Publics in Internal communication-Objectives of Employee Relations-Building Organizational Culture-Media for Internal communication-Public Relations for External Public:DefiningPublics,Types of external public.Media for External Communication-Role of NewTechnology for Mass Media Communication-Ethics and Public Relations;Code of Ethics,Professionalism in Public Relation-Planning in Public Relations-Analyzing and Developing a  Public Relation Strategy-Applications  and Tools for Internal Communications-Tools and Production Techniques for External Communication:Corporate Brochure and Films.Campaigns and Exhibitions-Dealing with Media:Organizing Special Events-Media Planning and Relations for Public Relations-Introduction to Media Planning General  Procedures and Problems,Relationship between Media,Advertising and Consumers-Media and Marketing Planning;Mass Media,Characteristics and Ownership-Indicators for Selection of Media-Media Research and Methods-Media Relation;Laying the Ground Work,Reaching Out,Greet the Press-Changing Face of Media in 21^st Century-Technology and Social Media:Using Social Media,Tools and Techniques-Role of Writing and Major  Challenges in Public Relations-Role of Writing  in Public Relations:Press Releases & Communique,Backgrounds,Feature Writing inPublic Relations:Press Releases & Communique,Backgrounds,Feature Writing,Rejoinder Writing,Writing for Electronic Media,Speech Writing for Corporte Executives,Hints for Writing Press Release,Handling Press Questions,Principles of TV and Media-Challenges of Public Relations;Role of Public Relations in National and International Context,Public Relations for Generating Social Awareness,Building Image of India abroad,Choice of Media for Relating to Indian Masses-Role of Traditional Media about Social/National Issues.Community Public Relations

PART III-INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Meaning and Importance of Communication-Forms of Communication:Upward,downward and interactive communication in organizations,Communication networks:formal or Grapevine/informalcommunication,interpersonal communication-Types of Communication Verbal communication(written and oral)and nonverbal-communication(kinesis or body,language and paralanguage)-Barries in Communications-Communication Skills-Oral Presentation-Tips for Oral Presentation-Written Presentation:-Interview techniques-Effectivce listening skills-Reading Skills for Effective Communication-Effective of Changing Technology-Importance of Effectiveness Communication inTourism Business-Communication in Tourism Business-Communication on the basis of Direction-Communication on the basis Direction-Communication on the basis of Expression-Communication on the basis  of Organizational Structure-Communication Networks,Effects and Performance-Feedback Defined-The Functions of Feed Back-The process of Interpersonal-Effectiveness of Feed Back-Written Communications in Business Organisations-Basics in letter writing:Layouts,Letters of enquiry,Quotations,Orders,Complaints,Apologies,Requests & Replies,Demy official letters.Circulars,Letters connected with sales,Press release,Letters for financial arrangements,Use of Charts,Graphs etc.Report Writing:Basic Formats and Process ,Types of Reports-Writing E-mails and Memos-Proposals;Types and Stages of Preparation-Business Meetings and Modern Methods of Communication-Introduction to Business Meetings-Types and Objectives of Meetings-Essential requirements of a meeting-writing notices  for a meeting-Minutes of a meeting-Modern  Methods of Communication:Internet,Audio and Visual Aids,Teleconferencing Major Promotional Tools –Developing and Selecting Effective Communication Tools-Different types of Medias and its role in Effective Communication-Business Etiquettes-Business Etiquettes-Initiating Interactions-Dressing for Work-Enhancing Communication-Using Non-Verbal Cues-Business Conversation-Managing Appointments-Negotiating with Customers-Entertaining Customers

PART –IV-(A)FACTS ABOUT INDIA

Geography of India-Physical Features-Climate-Soils-Rivers-Famous Sites-etc Demography-Ecnomic and Social Development-Poverty Alleviation-Economy and Planning-etc History of India-Period from 1857 to 1947-National Movement-etc

(B)FACTS ABOUT KERALA

Geographical Facts-Physical Features-Climate-Soils-Rivers-Famous Sites etc

RENAISSANCE OF KERALA

Important Events /Movements/Leaders

Brahmanada Swami Sivayogi.Chattampi Swami,Sree Narayana Guru,Vagbhatanara,Thycaud Ayya,Ayya Vaikundar,Poikayil Yohannan(Kumara Guru),Ayyankali,Pandit Karuppan,Mannathu Padmanabhan,V.T.Bhattathirippad,Dr.Palpu,Kumaranasan,Vakkom Moulavi,Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara etc.