India needs to clean its garbage dumps to encourage tourism - Alphons

Minister of State for Tourism ( Independent Charge) K.J.Alphons on Tuesday said that India needs to clean its garbage dumps to give a boost to tourism.

Speaking on the occasion of World Tourism Day at Amity University, Alphons said, "Over 1.2 billion people cross the borders every year to travel to other countries whereas only 8.8 million people come to India. India with 5,000 years old civilization, amazing culture, beaches, back waters, hill stations and philosophical school of thoughts, is lagging behind in tourism."

The statement was made during the annual conference on "Neo Tourism and Hospitality-Vehicle for World Peace and Sustainable Development" organized by the university's Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism.

"Despite India being endowed with magic, we are not able to market India in the global economy; rather India has been singled out as an "unsafe country", Alphons said.

Describing India as a garbage dump and blaming the majority of the people for dumping garbage, he said that the latter has take responsibility for keeping their neighborhood clean.

"If everyone takes the onus, the country would become clean; civilization is within us and if we don't demonstrate it, then there is no civilization, the minister opined.

He called upon the youth to carry in their hearts a mission to make India a better place and to take steps to ensure that in next five years, over 25 million people from abroad come to India every year.

Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Group, said India has tremendous scope for tourism, especially medical and religious tourism.

Dr. Sabit Subasic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said tourism is a crucial aspect for public diplomacy and he as ambassador, has been entrusted with the responsibility of making people aware about his country, its rich culture and tourism.

Tourism diplomacy, he stressed, is crucial in a diplomatic job of an ambassador. He briefed audience with Bosnia and Herzegovina and invited the students to go and experience the majestic country themselves.

Nina Tshering La, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Vietnam, stressed that the tourism sector helps in the social and economic development of a country and alleviates poverty.

Dr. Subhash Goyal said tourism is an unstoppable force which contributes to people to people relationships, and thereby, acts as a great contributor to world peace and prosperity.

He shared that the total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP was 10.2 percent globally in 2016 and the sector created 40.3 million jobs in 2016.

Tourism, he said, is a labour-intensive industry and involves people at every step, and therefore, has a multiplier effect on job creation. He remarked that the tourism sector alone can generate 100 million jobs in the country and can reduce unemployment and poverty in the country.

He stressed that the challenge is to keep the industry sustainable and not to destroy flora, fauna and water bodies of the country in the name of tourism.