Tourism- ho!

I would like to convey my heart felt thanks to Indian I.T. professionals, grass root innovators and new age yogis(who have made a banal function like breathing a selfchange tool). I thank them because they have restored world's faith in India and more importantly our faith in ourselves. This manifests into various forms: increase in FDI, GDP, etc. But one area or sector that ought to have grown exponentially is Tourism. But it has not and this is the reason to worry. I would like to reiterate the cliche, India is a diverse country offering a host of experiences from spiritual and royal to inspirational. Then why there was tourist inflow of only 3.9 million in 2005.

We need to package and market India as a country rather than a bunch of states warring for everything from water to central funds. We need to change our attitudes and ourselves and become a nation of avid travellers.In my opinion a tour across India is enough to satisfy a wanderer's soul. Because then we would know what it takes to make tourism a success. Real India cannot be experienced by reading about it in secondary level history and geography textbooks. To experience the grandeur of the Taj Mahal or the stature of Mahatma Gandhi one has to visit the Taj Mahal or the Gandhi Ashram respectively. But can an average Indian afford such visits or does he have time, mired as he is in the drudgery of earning a living. In boosting tourism abroad we have forgotten the tourist that lies in every indian's heart. Let us address his concerns first and then the concerns of his global counterpart. Because both are sequentially related. What are the concerns of an Indian tourist : budget hotels, cheap transport, credible guide, etc. Probably all of them are absent or present at certain centers of tourist attraction.

The main hindrance to tourism development, as usual, is the bureaucracy. At one point of time 5-6 ministries are some or other way related to tourism. Given such a condition how do we expedite development. Why cant we learn from I.T. companies who have achieved their success through relentless pursuit of innovation. My suggestion to our finance minister. Sir, why cant you incentivise leisure travel in our taxation system. Provide tax benefits to companies that offer 2-3 weeks off to their employees for leisure travel. This is one suggestion from a layman. But I know you wont do it busy as you are in taxing fringe benefits.

In final reckoning, lets make it our duty to promote tourism in our personal capacity. Let us travel first, as often as possible, and make it a virtue worth internalising.