Tourism
Tourism has become one of the major industries of the world. Several countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Hawaii have been trying their best to promote tourism. They get a large amount of money as foreign exchange every year. In fact, their progress in this field is commendable.
One gets several benefits by tours. It widens one’s outlook. It makes one liberal-minded. It enables one to understand the customs and manners of the people living in other countries. It promotes the concept of world citizenship. Further, one gets opportunities to see the various places mentioned in history and geography books. Thus, tours educate one.
In India there are many places that attract tourists. Mussoorie, Garhwal, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Amber Fort (Rajasthan), the Taj Mahal, Vrindavan Gardens (Karnataka), Shalimar Gardens (Srinagar), the wildlife sanctuary at Thekkady (Kerala), Malampuzha, Kovalam (both in Kerala), Blue Lagoon, Ooty (both in Tamil Nadu) and the Goa beaches are a few among them.
There are some basic requirements to promote tourism. First and foremost, there should be a peaceful atmosphere in the country. If there is militancy as well as unrest, no tourist will visit the country. Secondly, there should be enough facilities for accommodation, transportation and sufficient tourist attractions. Thirdly, effective machinery is necessary to give wide publicity relating to the tourist attractions. Regarding the first, we are forced to state that there is no peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir and in the north eastern states in the country. A number of star hotels have been constructed by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation and the Tourist Development Corporations in the states. The seats in the coaches owned by the Tourist Development Corporation can be reserved in advance. The mass media are made use of to popularize and publicise the names of various places that have tourist attractions. Further, a tourist can get full information relating to these from the regional offices of the Tourist Development Corporations in the states. All the same, we admit more and more facilities are required to promote tourism in the country. We are happy to note that the government of India has lately decided to run a few, tourist trains on some important routes. This may mitigate the hardships of the tourists to some extent.
The advantages of tourism are various. It has a great employment potential. Those who have studied Tourism and Hotel Management and Catering Technology can get appointment in the Tourism Development Corporations and in star hotels. Our country will also get a substantial amount of money as foreign exchange without exporting anything. The visits of the tourists from other states will expedite the process of national integration.
At present, the tourists coming from abroad are put to great inconvenience and hardship. Our trains are not on time. The tourists are very busy. They have no time to waste. We, Indians, may wait for hours at railway stations, but foreigners are not used to such waiting. Pick-pocketing and looting have become common on our trains. They remain Over-crowded. Nor are they tidy. The loquacity of the Indian passengers as well as their tendency to ask personal questions irritates the foreign tourist.
The tourists from the West like sea-resorts very much. It is, therefore, necessary to increase their number. When they reach a sea-port, they like to swim in the sea. It is a refreshing experience on a hot day. For these tourists, to be able to lie down or play about on a sea-washed beach are relaxations in themselves.
To attract tourists from .foreign countries it is absolutely necessary to augment the present facilities. Tourist centres should also be opened in the rural areas. The life there, far from the madding crowd, will be a pleasant experience for the tourists. More guides, who are good at languages like English and French etc., have to be appointed. The mass media of foreign countries must be used to give wide publicity. The government must create a-peaceful atmosphere in the country by quelling militancy. Begging must be banned. The natives must show honesty and courtesy to the tourists. In China and Japan, one will be able to get back what one has lost, if one approaches the Lost Property Office. In Japan, fares will be returned to the passengers, if a train arrives late. The roads and railways stations etc. must be kept tidy.
