PM MODI EXTENDS COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT TO ALL THINGS TRAVEL AND TOURISM

by NAVIN BERRY

Prime Minister’s thrust on tourism has always been embracing the bigger picture, which very often has failed to get understood by the tourism industry in our country. He has stuck to giving subsidies only to the needy, the weaker sections of our society, has shied away from giving doles. But tourism he has spoken of, with great confidence, even before he took over as the prime minister – remember, the 5Ts, which included tourism. Commercial activity needs to fend for itself, create its own eco-system, and the government will facilitate wherever possible and desirable.

So, what does this bigger picture entail? First and foremost, ease in travel. Making travel simpler, affordable and reach the last mile. By all means of transport. If it was the roads at first, followed by railways, it is now air transport. Inland waterways is the next big thing to unfold.

Building heritage to world class experience and making these the centres of gravity for travel and tourism. Take the Varanasi example. Creating new tourism products that are aligned with nationalist goals and aspirations. This includes the Statue of Unity, as a prime illustration.

Modi has been quoted often as saying that a clean and hygienic India is essential to people travelling. His campaign on Clean Bharat was amongst his first priorities. There is no running away from the truth: we have mostly erred on providing clean toilets and facilitating travel and tourism. This alone can be a major tipping point in getting more foreign tourists; even domestic are no different.

PM’s webinar was attended by some half a dozen of his cabinet ministers. This represents a big recognition that in our tourism effort, the Ministry of Tourism can at best be a catalyst, but even for that purpose, it must have the powers to do so. Left as it is, most of what tourism requires is controlled by other ministries.

We have made the start. Hopefully, there would be follow up action and results will start showing!

About The Author

Navin Berry, Editor, Destination India, has been in the business of reporting on travel, tourism and hospitality for almost 5 decades.