What is ailing the Indian Tourism?

We have the Taj, we have the tiger, we are at once ancient and modern, we taught the world religion mathematics and peace. We are the world's largest democracy and the second most populous country. Yet in tourism, we rank only fifth in the world. Countries like Australia, New Zealand and Brazil are more preferred destinations, Why? What is ailing our tourism? Why do we have peaks and valleys in tourist influx and income, one tourism season after another?

Well, we don't have to go back to seek them. Look at the stink our country is. We are perhaps the stenchiest nation. More than the stench, the tourists are put off by red tapism, corruption and insecurity. If foreign tourists are to be raped and assaulted, fleeced or looted or even murdered, who would risk coming in India? Beggars, transport troubles, drugs, under developed tourist facilities knock the life out of the 'tourist paradise' our country is, according to the tourist pundits. Who would like to travel to India to taste and grime along with its curry and spices, who would like to return home with momentos of shame and disappointment?

If India is to tegain its place in the world tourism, we will have to make a reality checkand immediately purge the industry of all its ills. It is true we need the foreign exchange, but we need internatational toursits smiles and satisfaction too to sustain ourselves as a world's tourist destination. W e have to improve the tourist infrastructure and facilities too. Monuments must have be saved from denigration through graffiti, garbage and inscriptions. Our holy pl;aces need to be spruced up. And most importantly, we must tap the vast potential of domestic tourism too.

BY PARTH RAGHAV