We know that Union Ministry of Tourism constantly tries to improve tourist service in the country. From time to time new decisions are made and new steps are taken with the sole objective of providing more facilities to foreign tourists. However we shall have to say in all fairness that much may have been done but much remains to be done in this crucial sector.
Unfortunately, there are recurring cases of foreign tourists facing some difficulties and problems at the hands of unscrupulous taxi drivers, hoteliers, curio sellers and even tourist guides. This speaks of the fact that our country has still to upgrade the culture of decent courtesy towards the foreign tourists.
The Union Ministry has announced operation of the bi-lingual helpline number 1800-111-363 on which any tourist can call for any assistance needed once the tourists are on Indian soil. We know that foreign tourists used to face many difficulties in absence of a helpline which will now be alleviated. Apart from this, a tourist will be handed over a tourist Welcome Card which will carry telephone numbers and other information a tourist may require to make his or her visit to India smooth and hassle free.
J&K State has its significance on the tourist map of India. In particular, Kashmir valley and Ladakh have achieved fame owing to their specific attraction for the tourists. Naturally one expects that tourist industry in the State should also receive its due share of streamlining. We are not receiving very encouraging reports about necessary facilities that need to be provided to the tourists. There is some discrepancy somewhere which does not allow our tourists industry to grow and flourish in the manner we would expect it grow. When this is at the level of administration or infrastructure or policy planning should be brought under discussion. We would suggest that the Tourism Department of the State should hold annual or even biannual Tourism Development seminars/conference in which some experts from foreign countries should also be invited to reflect on how we can improve our tourism industry. Interaction with countries or agencies that have reputation of being the premier organizations of tourism should help us a great deal in formulating new parameters of tourist policy. At the same time, exploration of new tourist spots in the State, in fact in all the three regions should be given utmost priority.
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