The tourism industry is woefully underdeveloped. It can become a major revenue generator, but infrastructure — from toilets to tour guides — has to improve
If a list of the worst performing ministries is made, the Ministry of Tourism will definitely figure at the top. The statistics show why this is the case: leave aside developed countries like France and Switzerland, where the annual tourist footfall exceeds the total population, India stands nowhere close to even developing countries like Malaysia and Thailand, which welcome about 27 million and 24 million tourists respectively per year. In comparison, only seven million tourists come to India every year. This country captures only two per cent of the global tourism industry. This is all the more shameful given India's rich historical, cultural and natural heritage.
The Modi Government has shown renewed interest in promoting tourism in a big way, so that the latter can become a major revenue earner. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently extended electronic tourist visa facility to many countries, so that the hassle of procuring Indian visas is minimised. However, improving tourism in India is an ambitious and difficult task that requires a comprehensive and massive overhaul of the Tourism Ministry. To start with, there should be competent and dedicated planners at the helm, supported by capable manpower.
There are many areas that need utmost attention. For example, foreign tourists usually complain of the absence of clean toilets and washrooms at most major tourist attractions. At the Taj Mahal complex, for instance, there is only one Sulabh Shauchalaya, which is often dirtier than regular public toilets. The ministry should hire an experienced private agency to build and maintain world class facilities. The latter may even charge the users a small fee. Washrooms at business class lounges in airports need to be the reference point.
Tourists also often complain of the absence of registered tour guides, who are trustworthy and knowledgeable. Another problem here is that there is no uniformity in the fees charged by tour guides. One can drive a hard bargain and still be unsure about whether they have been cheated.
The Government should start recruiting guides and giving them proper training that must include communication and English-speaking lessons. Trained guides should be given certificates and badges. Their charges should also be fixed and clearly displayed at prominent locations.
The tourism websites of most State Governments are most shoddily prepared. Often, they don’t properly list the tourist destinations in terms of importance and priority. This is confusing for the tourist. For example, the Gujarat tourism website lists so many temples that one is unsure about which ones to visit. Moreover, the website contents are rarely updated.
Touts are also a huge menace. Foreigners especially are accosted from the moment they step out of the airport. The touts are often aggressive, they misbehave with the tourists and sometimes steal from them as well.
Yet another area of concern is transport and connectivity. Budget hotels and lounges should be set up near major tourist sites. Instead of hiring expensive taxis, tourists should be able to use public transport, which is safe and affordable, to reach their destinations.
last but not the least, is the issue of security and law and order in the country. Reports of rapes and molestation of women, including foreigners, have mired the country’s reputation in a big way. Many countries have issued travel advisories against India as well. This needs to change.