This refers to the article, “Indian tourism: Punching below its weight” (October 23) by VV Sunder. The writer is right in holding that globally tourism is growing exponentially but we are still busy sorting out basic issues of infrastructure. This is unfortunate as Indian tourism has a great potential as here the seventh wonder of this world — Taj Mahal — exists. Also, Ajanta and Elora are no less important. But we are yet to exploit their utility for expanding our tourism sector.
Similarly, Buddhist monuments like Gaya, Saarnath, Kushi Nagar and Kapil Vastu are of great importance for religious tourists from Japan and other South-East Asian Budhist countries like Sri lanka, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, China et al. But we are yet to develop these places on a grand scale to provide modern infrastructure to attract tourists.
Tourism industry experts need to develop expertise on tourists requirements by modernising courses on tourism viz hospitality management for preparing best skilled people to cater to both the foreign and Indian tourists. Also there is need for first class facilities at tourist spots and resorts. Recently UP CM Yogi Adityanath announced huge projects to promote tourism in at Ayodhya, Agra and Chitrakoot.