Suggestions for promoting tourism in India

I was travelling abroad and I felt that the sites shown at times were mediocre as compared to some of the sites that I have seen in India. But The Indian Scene lacks the marketing, advertisement and infrastructure for tourism that is available abroad. The number of people that can be hired by the tourist trade seems amazingly high.

I felt that the Indian system can be improved by the government provided it takes certain steps in the right direction. I could file a PIL suggesting certain improvements that the government can think about.

I am limited by the time that I have at my disposal and I could do this only in Remote. My Intention is only to see that the system improves so that additional Indians can benefit from the same.

I have put down my thoughts below:

I hoped that you could suggest ways to go ahead!

Tourism the untapped potential:

India is a large country with a rich history. The presence of this history is seen in the innumerable heritage sites available throughout the country. India also has a rich religious diversity and history. Almost every town and Village is dotted with incredible architectures of ancient past. There are innumerable hills, mountains, rivers, lakes that offer tremendous tourism possibilities. Add to this the need for modern amusement parks, water parks and theme parks. And combine the wide variety of handicrafts and other crafts.

What we get is a potential unparalleled around the globe for a robust tourist industry. The tourist industry of India should be India's greatest Industry.

The Intention of this PIL is only to request the government to tap this potential to get more revenues, provide employment to youth of this country and maintain the heritage of the country.

Right to Tour India and see its heritage and responsibility to maintain the heritage:

Every Indian has a right to travel and see the rich heritage that this country has to offer to him. It is further the responsibility of each Indian to pass on this heritage to the next generation in a very good condition.

This is a request to the government to implement laws that will first of all declare this right and responsibility of every individual.

Sample: Every Citizen has a right to see the rich Indian heritage in all its beauty and splendor in well maintained environment. It is further the duty of each and every citizen to see that the heritage is maintained properly and passed on to the next generation of Indians.

In this PIL this is followed by allowing creation of facilities for tourism and providing incentives for tourism to ordinary citizens.

Proper facilities:

In terms of modern life and modern needs every heritage site in addition requires infrastructure that is perhaps bigger in size than the heritage structure itself. Some of these infrastructural needs are:

1.	Proper transportation facilities: Families in different strata need facilities like bus, cars, trains to their favourite destinations. Major distances are covered by trains or planes. Sufficient facilities exist and additional facilities can be made for the same based on requirements.
2.	Proper accommodations for families to stay there. Irrespective of the size of the heritage facility, families need to stay there and accommodation needs for a family are constant. Based on the perceived demand for a tourist site, accommodations are needed in nearby locality.
3.	The educational nature of heritage sites should not be forgotten. Theatres showing educational videos about the heritage site and its history should be available and cost should be included in tour costs so that children's needs are not sacrificed by parents.
4.	Food and restaurants: Food and Restaurants are required at tourist sites. The restaurants should be able to serve a variety of Indian food to suit all taste plus also have stress for local food. Restaurants should be able to supply high quality bottled water to the health conscious tourist of the day.
5.	Toilet, bathroom and urinal facilities. Adequate toilet, bathhroom and urinal facilities are required at heritage sites. These facilities also need maintenance.
6.	Primary HealthCare: Every facility should be equipped with a primary healthcare center to provide first aid and minimum stress and fatigue relief.
7.	Handicraft and local crafts sales facilities. A tour is probably a time when every Indian is brought close to local handicrafts and local craftsmen. provide adequate space for having shops to sell Indian Handicrafts, garments and traditional items. The place will have both National and Local handicrafts on sale and display.
8.	Room Entertainment facilities. Today's accommodations need Televisions, Cable TV, Internet, Communication and other facilities.
9.	Amusement Parks and secondary entertainment facilities. Each heritage site that has some or all of the above facilities can provide some land in nearby locality for amusement parks and rides which can be a source of additional income and also provide additional employment.
10.	Bank and ATM facilities. Most tourist locations require Bank and ATM facilities. Nationalized banks can be directed to provide ATM facilities nearby heritage/tourist sites.
11.	Waste disposal facility. Waste management and disposal requires special needs. For example in case of spitting, the company will have person trained to remove the damaged soil with proper equipment (not with bare hands). Replace the damaged soil with good soil. Have the soils transported to soil management facility to clean the soil and recycle wastes. Persons performing unclean acts can be fined for such purposes. In case of defecating in places other than toilets the process of removing and replacing soil and deodorizing etc. should be followed. Tourist sites should not create wastes that are unmanageable or pollute the environment. Water Treatment, solid waste transportation facilities and in rare cases waste incinerator, Effluent treatment plants may be necessary.

Additional needs:

Secular nature of tourism:

India is a country with diverse cultures and diverse beliefs. Secularism is the core need of the society. Every aspect of tourism should display this secularism. No tourist place
can be non-secular. Every mode of transportation should display the secularism message. Every person employed in the tourist trade and every organization or person benefiting from the tourist trade should be secular and must give the secularism pledge in writing and follow it in every action.

Sample Declaration: We are a Secular tourist company and we do not distinguish or discriminate between any religion or god in this world and accept all religions as a representation of good beliefs.

Cultural entertainment:

The Tourist sites also provide additional opportunity to employ Indian dancers, singers and musicians to entertain the tourists. Popular Tourist sites can have venues for providing entertainment to tourists by Sangeet Visharad's, Pandits, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, oddisi and other dancers, singers, local dancers and musicians.

Spiritual Tourism, Ayurvedic Spas and other tourism :

India also has vast potential for spiritual tourism (yoga and meditation tourism), Ayurvedic spas, relaxation type tourism.

Forming Companies to tackle the needs of tourism:

Providing the above facilities requires massive investments that is not possible by individuals. Government should allow creation of public owned companies where people can invest in the form of shares to create such good infrastructure. Almost every town and village in India can be allowed to have one such company or a subsidiary of a company that is experienced in the needs of tourism. These companies would be required to carry out the business with utmost sincerity and diligence. These Companies, its promoters and employees should be Secular. They should not distinguish between people based on caste, creed or religion. For this every promoter, investor, tourist, employee should give a declaration of secularism.

The company will provide sufficient manpower to maintain the sites clean. Every amenity like proper toilets, waste management, waste disposal, horticulture activity will be maintained by the company. The company will also provide refreshment and food facilities from at least five different contractors to meet the varied Indian taste in food. All people hired for cleaning and waste management will be trained in waste management practices.

Incentive to explore the heritage:

The government of India is requested to grant sufficient incentive to Indians to explore this diverse heritage. For this the government can provide benefit to Individuals without major loss to the government.

Sufficient checks are required that this incentive is not misused.

Incentives:

Upto INR 60000 to be made tax free for the purpose of tourism. This is further divided into

INR 60000 towards tourist travel for self, spouse, two children and two parents (can also be spent on self).

INR 10000 towards rides and amusement parks.

INR 10000 towards purchases of Indian handicrafts sold at tourist
locations.

Subject to a maximum of INR 60000 per annum.

Plus as an incentive to support tourist activity in India, every person will have additional tax benefit as below:

1. Rs. 500 for every 10000 Rs. Spent on tourist activity.

Checks to curb misuse:

All tourist claims can only be made on tourist expense from approved tourist organization which will be regulated by the government of India.

Only bills of public companies approved for tourist activities can be submitted.

A penalty of 10000 Rs. For any misuse per incident subject to a maximum of INR 50000 per annum, like showing use as tourist expense and making expense on other purpose, obtaining fake receipts etc.

All bookings will be computerized and connected to central government computer.

Administrative charges :

The Government of India can take an Administrative charge of 10% and State Governments can take a charge of 10% from the tourist collection towards administrative charges. The Tourist Industry will employ a number of people in its fold and provide additional Revenue to the government. Additional taxes like corporate taxes will also benefit the revenues of the government. Any loss due to the reduction in revenue collection due to the incentives to Indians will be covered by the revenues raised by these other means.

Summary:

The Tourism industry in India is a very promising Industry and has potential to become one of the leading employers of Indians. Professional management and additional infrastructure is needed so that the Indian can enjoy his heritage to fullest extent.

Suggestions for promoting tourism in India

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