Andhra Pradesh Launches its New Driver-Cum-Guide Initiative with Rapido, Offering a Personalized Travel Experiences and Boosting Local Tourism and Economy

Published on November 28, 2025

In a path-breaking initiative to enhance tourism mobility and give more personalized experience to travel, the Andhra Pradesh government has jointly introduced India’s first ‘Driver-Cum-Guide’ tourism system with Rapido. The new initiative, announced on Thursday, is designed to offer both local drivers and tourists a unique opportunity to connect, creating a more authentic and immersive travel experience for visitors while enhancing the earning potential for the local drivers.

The scheme, which followed the signing of an MoU at the Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, aimed at integrating transport services with tourist guiding into one convenient system that allows a better bonding of the traveler and the destination. Under the agreement with Rapido, trained local drivers with a rating on the platform will be imparted training in local culture and history, tourist safety, and hospitality standards so that they can also double as tourist guides while providing safe transportation.

Enhancing the Travel Experience: A Personalized Approach to Tourism

The new ‘Driver-Cum-Guide’ model integrates mobility services with tourism experiences, providing a dual-service offering to travelers. By enabling drivers to act as tour guides, tourists will benefit from personalized tours led by knowledgeable locals who can provide insider tips about cultural landmarks, historical sites, and hidden gems in the area. This model significantly enhances the tourism experience by giving visitors a more authentic, engaging, and personal connection to the region.

Tourists can book auto rickshaws and cabs through the Rapido app for curated tourist circuits in destinations like Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam. The tourist circuits will take visitors to popular attractions while allowing them to experience the local culture, history, and traditions from a local perspective. This shift toward more immersive travel experiences is aligned with the growing demand for authentic tourism and local engagement.

Tourism Impact: Economic Growth and Job Creation

The ‘Driver-Cum-Guide’ system is expected to have a significant impact on tourism and the local economy in Andhra Pradesh. By creating new earning opportunities for drivers, the initiative will increase local income and contribute to job creation in tourism and transportation sectors. This initiative is particularly important for marginalized communities, as it provides sustainable livelihoods and access to professional tourism training for underrepresented groups in the labor market.

Job creation will extend beyond the drivers themselves, as tourism support industries, such as tour operators, local guides, restaurants, and retailers, will benefit from an increased number of visitors to the state. The local tourism infrastructure will be strengthened, with tourism-related businesses seeing higher demand for products, services, and experiences.

Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism

The ‘Driver-Cum-Guide’ initiative ties into Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to sustainable tourism, ensuring that growth in the sector is both economically beneficial and culturally respectful. By employing local drivers who are trained in both tourism and hospitality, the program promotes community-driven tourism that celebrates local cultures and traditions while ensuring tourist safety.

This innovative tourism mobility system also supports eco-tourism by encouraging responsible travel. The focus on local guides and sustainable transportation options ensures that the tourism model minimizes its environmental impact while maximizing the benefits for local communities. By using auto-rickshaws and local cabs, the system provides a low-carbon alternative to traditional tourist buses and private vehicles, making it a more sustainable choice for travelers.

Leveraging Technology to Enhance Travel and Tourism Experience

The ‘Driver-Cum-Guide’ system utilizes technology to streamline travel and tourism experiences. Rapido’s digital platform will allow tourists to book their rides and tour guides through the app, making the process more convenient, transparent, and user-friendly. The app’s integration of tourist circuits and local guides within its interface enhances the overall travel experience, allowing visitors to seamlessly navigate the city, explore cultural landmarks, and discover hidden spots—all while enjoying the expertise of their local driver-guide.

By leveraging digital platforms, the program makes tourist services more accessible and efficient, increasing global competitiveness for Andhra Pradesh’s tourism sector. The seamless integration of technology in tourism operations is essential as travelers increasingly seek convenient, digital-first solutions when planning their vacations.

Long-Term Impact: Positioning Andhra Pradesh as a Tourism Leader

Looking ahead, the ‘Driver-Cum-Guide’ tourism mobility model is set to have a lasting impact on the future of tourism in Andhra Pradesh. As global travel trends shift toward personalized experiences, immersive tourism, and local cultural engagement, the state’s innovative approach will set it apart as a leader in sustainable tourism development.

The model also reflects a broader global tourism trend, where travelers seek authenticity and connection with local communities. As more tourists opt for experience-driven travel, the driver-guide model will make Andhra Pradesh a more attractive destination, especially for those looking to explore the hidden treasures of the region, from heritage sites to natural parks.

Additionally, the program’s emphasis on training and skills development will have long-term benefits for local communities, ensuring that tourism growth is accompanied by economic empowerment and social inclusivity. As more drivers become skilled tourist guides, the tourism industry in Andhra Pradesh will continue to thrive and evolve.

A Bright Future for Andhra Pradesh’s Tourism and Mobility

The launch of the ‘Driver-Cum-Guide’ tourism mobility system is a transformational step for the evolution of tourism in Andhra Pradesh. By integrating transportation services with tourism guiding, the initiative creates a new tourism model that provides local employment, supports sustainable tourism, and enhances the overall visitor experience.

This forward-thinking public-private partnership between Rapido and the state government promises the future of tourism mobility in India, integrating technology, local community engagement, and cultural authenticity into sustainable and enriching experiences. The program will keep promoting tourism development, enhancing local economies, and advancing cultural exchange so that Andhra Pradesh continues to be in the forefront of tourism demand from around the world.