LET PEOPLE DEVELOP TOURISM AND MAKE MONEY

While comparing the earnings from Tourism by different countries India stands much below. Our country has a vast collection in store to show the world. Our highest earning from tourism stands less than 6% of our GDP. If properly handled this can be multiplied in a short span of time. The best way to enhance the revenue from this sector is to bring in qualified youth into it. Government need not make any huge investment in this. Government must make it easy for them to secure loan from banks and other financial institutions. A separate wing in the bank may be created to follow up the utilisation of the fund properly. (,There can be safer methods to apply for bank loans with zero risk for the money lent.) Government can also organise frequent seminars, exhibitions etc on tourism. Many new schemes can be introduced to attract more tourists from different parts of the world. When the government is taking the lead role, they may ensure the active participation of the youth.

While put efforts to develop tourism we must also concentrate on the following matters that causes detraction in the inflow of tourists. We must maintain a self discipline. Some of our states observe Bundhs and other forms of protests. These things always affect vehicular traffic and closing of shops. These things cause great problems for the tourists. They are forced to be held up at airport, railway station, bus station etc for long hours. Untimely closing of shops also create many problems for them. In order to avoid these, the central government may formulate necessary laws to prevent blocking of road traffic and closing of shops before time under any circumstances. Another aspect to be considered is harrasment of women. Long jail term may be prescribed for such offenders. Antisocial elements should not be allowed to enter into hotels and restaurants. In the recent times a good number of standard restaurants were reported to have closed due to disturbance by politically motivated gundas.

The new companies formed by the youth may try to bring in and develop new tourist destinations at beautiful places near to lakes, backwaters, hill tops, valleys, forests, agriculture region, areas for medical tourism preferably Ayurvedic tourism. Renowned temples where various art forms can be promoted may also be considered. These destinations can be largely promoted by good resorts,  shopping area, good restaurants etc. The promoters and the business group should have contact with various artists from all over the state. Kerala is also popular for temple festivals. Keep in touch with all temple authorities so that willing tourists can be brought there and seated comfortably. This may also make some earning for the temples. They can also be helped to see the art and cultural programs related with the temple festivals.

Enhancing the earnings from tourism can enhance our GDP. If properly managed, unemployment can be brought down considerably. The central government together with all state governments may work out excellent Modus Operandi towards this direction and keenly watch for an admiring result. Let us remember that earnings from tourism by USA was $242 bn in 2018. In the same year our earning was $28,586 million. The gap is quite wide. Let us try to overcome this with a true and meaningful smile of "Adhithi Devo Bhava", than a political shout through loud speaker to exploit the people.

K V George