MAKE INDIAN YOUTH TOURISM PROMOTERS WITH GOOD EARNINGS

France, Spain, USA, China, Italy , Turkey, Mexico and Thailand have the highest income from tourism in the world in the recent past. Strangely arise a question in the minds of few Indians at least, what we are lacking in international tourism arena? We have almost every ingredient what a tourist likes to have. We have the highest mountain ranges. We have 10 river systems and over 400 big rivers spread across the country. Many of these rivers have their own birth stories. We have 7,13,789 sq km forest which makes 21.71% of the gegraphical area of the country with wide variety of animals. Of late, we added agro tourism also in the tourist's menu. We have considerable number of 'dream come true farm houses' in many states. Also large area of flower cultivation, tea gardens and spices gardens in selected regions. Alongwith all these  we can add a 500 acre Ayurvedic Complex preferably in Idukki district of Kerala. This should include Ayurvedic treatment, massages, herbal plant nurseries, medicine manufacturing units etc. Resorts, swimming pools, India special restaurants, entertainment centres, helipad etc should be included in this complex.

We have large number of temples spread across the country which are loudly announcing the age old Indian culture. We have here historical engineering marvels, ancient cultural monuments and political landmarks of tourist interest. We also have great universities of historical significance. Why can't we think of making Kerala an educational hub of the world? For a good number of reasons Kerala must be the ideal place for this.

Further to all these, such wide varieties of food cannot be found anywhere in the world. This would be an added attraction in the tourism menu. Then comes the rarest of the rarest attraction for tourists from almost all countries. That is many occult sciences like astrology, numerology, palmistry, Nadi jyothish, mazhi Nottam' (practiced in Kerala to find lost people and materials), black magic (using evil spirit for negative purposes) Then we have world renowned magicians here who conduct amazing shows and run magic schools. Let all these become part of our tourism promotion. Our temple festivals can be one of the rarest tourist attractions. This should be properly managed through the local temple management. Above all the people of India and our age old culture are certainly unique in the world. It could be an amazing one for tourists representing different culture.

Then we have never ending forms of arts which are our own. Wide publicity of all these can be made along with all other ingredients. The following methods can be thought about for our tourism promotion. Before going ahead we  must ask ourselves whether we are really behind France, Spain, USA or even Japan in tourist's attraction. If we are convinced that India is a country of real tourist attractions,  we adopt the following methods for wide publicity of India across the world.

1) We may  nominate a Tourism Promotion Officer in all Indian Embassies of all countries. 2) Organise tourism promotion exhibition in all prospective countries. Also try to take part in tourism promotion exhibition organised by other countries. 3) Arrange free Indian TV channel focusing Indian tourism in selected countries in their respective languages.

Alongwith international promotion we must promote tourism among our youth. We have large number of qualified unemployed youth here. Tourism can help them to have  fairly good earnings. This can be in the forms of resorts, transport, food, art, language, publications and umpteen other means. Now, let us set a target for revenue from tourism, much above the highest earning countries.

K V George