Indian destination management company Cholan Tours has introduced a new initiative aimed at reshaping the country’s tourism industry by deploying professionally trained women chauffeurs for long-distance and multi-day tours.
The Chennai-based operator said the programme marks a first for India’s tourism sector, where long-haul driving roles have traditionally been dominated by men. By opening these positions to women, the company aims to create new career pathways while promoting more inclusive travel services.
The initiative is designed to benefit both travellers and local communities. Cholan Tours said female drivers could offer greater comfort and confidence to solo women travellers, families and women-only groups, while also providing stable employment and financial independence for women entering the workforce.
Participants in the programme undergo extensive training covering advanced driving skills, route planning, safety protocols and hospitality standards. The company has also introduced structured support systems, including safe accommodation during tours, to ensure driver wellbeing.
Founder and managing director Pandian Kumaravel described the move as a broader social step.
«This is not just a new service. It is a step towards social change,» he said, adding that the company hopes to «empower women, build traveller confidence and redefine inclusive tourism in India.»
To scale the initiative, Cholan Tours recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government to recruit 100 women drivers for tourism operations across the state.
Founded more than two decades ago and headquartered in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Cholan Tours specialises in customised tours, cultural travel and group journeys, and says the new programme reflects its efforts to combine service innovation with social impact.
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