Over the last decade, we have begun to take the stand that even if foreign travellers do not want to come, we don’t really care. Even Indians are increasingly avoiding our tourist destinations.
New Delhi: The UK government announced a target to welcome 50 million international visitors annually by 2030. This ambitious goal is part of a broader...
India’s rising global stature hasn’t solved its image issues. Pollution, travel advisories about women’s safety, and negative press are dragging down its standing as a tourist destination.
The once-sleepy streets of Dambuk are now lined with McLaren, Audi R8, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche, Nissan GTR, and Lamborghini. The exotic wheels have put state tourism in the fast lane.
Dharamshala is changing, from soul tourism to stadium tourism, Tibet to T20. New hotels, convention centre, airport expansion and perhaps even an IT park dominate official conversations.
Canada one of the largest source countries for foreign tourist arrivals in India. Govt’s decision to suspend visa services for Canadians came amid diplomatic row over Nijjar killing.
Hoteliers & govt officials optimistic that G20 rush will help state's tourism sector bounce back. Adventure sports, Dussehra fest to be promoted in a big way to draw visitors.
The US military operation in Venezuela raises global concern. Experts say that Trump’s action could weaken global legal standards and fuel geopolitical instability.
The latest comment comes as New Delhi and Washington have yet to sign a trade agreement. India’s purchase of Russian oil has reduced, but Moscow remains top source for crude.
If deal goes through, Greece will be 2nd foreign country to procure vehicle. Morocco was first; TATA Group has set up manufacturing unit there with minimum 30 percent indigenous content.
Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.
Tourisim sector could be a golden egg for India and its economy. Its a shame that with so much Historical cities, Natural wonders we attract less than 25 million Foreign Tourists. Compate that to small countries like Austria or Greece which receive more than 30 million Foreign Tourists as per United Nations World Tourism Organization. We Rank 39th as per World Economic Forum report published in 2024.
There are lot of things that both the Government and Citizens can do to attaract Foreign Tourists but one of
biggest improvement we can do is provide Saftey and security of the tourists.
If we cannot provide a safe environment for Women tourists we are loosing out big. Governments (both Central and State), Tour operators, Hotel/Service industry should take every step possible to educate people, officials, employees about treating tourists better.
Police and Security officials should be trained to take the complaints of Foreign Tourists more seriously and help resolve the issues more urgently.
Unless we treat our guests with respect and make them feel safe, no matter what we do our image as country will always be tarnished.
In addition to the reasons already described by the author, the extreme fetishisation of “foreign females” by the Indian society also plays its part. The widely promoted desirability of white skinned/exotic looking foreigners and the belief that “foreign women” have “loose morals” and are just looking for amorous and promiscuous adventures also add to the burden. The disrespectful verbal degradation of “russians” or “gori” in popular slang and in pop culture from standup to web series needs thorough introspection and correction.
Tourisim sector could be a golden egg for India and its economy. Its a shame that with so much Historical cities, Natural wonders we attract less than 25 million Foreign Tourists. Compate that to small countries like Austria or Greece which receive more than 30 million Foreign Tourists as per United Nations World Tourism Organization. We Rank 39th as per World Economic Forum report published in 2024.
There are lot of things that both the Government and Citizens can do to attaract Foreign Tourists but one of
biggest improvement we can do is provide Saftey and security of the tourists.
If we cannot provide a safe environment for Women tourists we are loosing out big. Governments (both Central and State), Tour operators, Hotel/Service industry should take every step possible to educate people, officials, employees about treating tourists better.
Police and Security officials should be trained to take the complaints of Foreign Tourists more seriously and help resolve the issues more urgently.
Unless we treat our guests with respect and make them feel safe, no matter what we do our image as country will always be tarnished.
In addition to the reasons already described by the author, the extreme fetishisation of “foreign females” by the Indian society also plays its part. The widely promoted desirability of white skinned/exotic looking foreigners and the belief that “foreign women” have “loose morals” and are just looking for amorous and promiscuous adventures also add to the burden. The disrespectful verbal degradation of “russians” or “gori” in popular slang and in pop culture from standup to web series needs thorough introspection and correction.