Truck and Barter

The Financial Express has an article looking at India’s attempt to create a more niche market in tourism;

“As if we needed the Conde Nast Traveller magazine’s recent survey to tell us that we are the fourth most preferred destination among travellers from 134 countries in the world. Just look at the numbers: Last year, 13.2% more international travellers came to India, bringing in more than Rs 8,274 crore. Tourism today is the third largest foreign exchange earner in India, accounting for 2.5% of the GDP. In 2006, a total of 1.28 million tourists came to India as compared to the 1.14 million in 2005…

But this heady feeling is marred by a host of problems that plague the industry. Critics say that before we pitch India as the next big world destination, we need to set our own house in order first. From an acute shortage of hotel rooms, which eventually translates into skyrocketing tariffs, to non-existent roads to a skewed mindset towards foreigners, it’s a tough task. Says Rajji Rai, vice-president of the Travel Agents Association of India: “The truth is that there is still a lot that needs to be done. Look at our airports. Take our roads… Every time a tourist lands in India, there is a look of disbelief on his face. Tourists have dollars to burn, we need to grab the maximum share of that money.” Agrees Ravi Wadhwani, a Delhi- based businessman and frequent traveller: “Culturally we may be the richest country in the world. But do we have anything else to boast of? Most successful tourist models today are going in for high-end tourism that has the least impact on the local resources. We, on the other hand, we are going in for mass tourism. We need to learn from the successes of small countries like Maldives, Bhutan, or Chile.” Wadhwani adds: “Look at our connectivity. In foreign countries, you have private planes to ferry tourists. In India, it takes two days to reach the Kanha Wildlife reserve from Delhi. Nobody has so much time to spare.”

Related;
Incredible India
World Tourism Barometer