In the prevailing challenging times where travelling abroad seems to be a distant dream, Domestic Tourism is tagged as the messiah that will save the tourism boat from sinking. BOTT brings to you an overview of unique taglines of Indian States & Union Territories*, highlighting their potential and treasures, through a Tourism Tagline India Map. Let us relish, enjoy and be proud of the diversity India has to offer.
Priyanka Saxena Ray
There have been numerous ‘webinars’ and ‘discussions’ on how tourism has been the worst affected sector in this pandemic and how it will take a long time to recover. Several people in the industry have lost their jobs, surrendered their office spaces, not paid salaries to staff and are struggling to make ends meet. Yet, resilient as we are, the hope to bounce back remains strong in each of us and the only boat on which everyone seems to be clamouring upon in Domestic Tourism. In the light of restricted air travel and norms of social distancing, holidays will be completely redefined to travelling to places that are accessible by road, have large expanses (read hotels & resorts) and safety parameters duly followed.
There is no dearth of touristy pleasures that India as a destination has to offer – from sights that are proof of one of the oldest civilizations to temples and caves that are epitome of architectural marvels – waterfalls, wildlife, monuments – we have it all and as an industry, we have to put enough efforts in marketing them to the world. This is the time, the perfect phase when India can take its Domestic Tourist travel many notches up provided the numerous states and their tourism departments come forward and put their best foot forward. ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ looks good on posters and campaigns but will not kick-start effectively until the respective states leave no stone unturned in highlighting what a traveller must come to “see and experience” in their state. The Ministry of Tourism’s effort in this direction is worth a mention here for it truly showcases the hidden potential of our country.
In an effort to promote Indian Tourism domestically, BOTT has compiled the ‘Incredible’ Tagline India Map in order to showcase the immense tourism potential of India to one and all. With Prime Minister and Tourism Minister focussing on domestic tourism in a big way, if India has to deliver and take jobs to the poorest parts of the country to enable the economic transformation at the community level, there is no engine better equipped than tourism to deliver on the growth. India can and should leverage the domestic tourism equally and strongly to revive Indian travel and tourism industry from the huge impact it has been facing due to Covid-19 pandemic.
