Tourism is of immense importance to India and its success story will continue undiminished. Tourism has always been appreciated and actively promoted for its economic value. It helps in reducing property and in maintaining quality of life. Through employment. Through economic prosperity balance of payments investment and the sustainable tourism resources are utilized for augmenting the infrastructure and integrating tourism products with international markets which in turn generate international tourist’s arrivals for the country and chain continues. Very rarely, we think of its major role as vehicle for “GLOBAL PEACE” All negative things which are happening globally Includeing our country are due to EGO and “Lack of Appreciation” of each others rich culture, the value of living style and strong Religious Fundamentalism Religion is one of the most important factor for inter necine fights & has become the main culprit. But tourism has brought various cultures nearer to reach other. When tourists visit any country they interact with local people, try to understand the way of living which could be totally different from their way of living try ethnic cuisine, they participate in local festivals and thus all barriers of language, culture, cuisine are over shadowed by the intrinsic warmth of hospitality and friendliness. There is feeling of oneness forgetting religious differences, food habits and the objective of pleasure, leisure, new experience understanding, appreciation and friendship pervades every where. Thus tourism has all the ingredients that bring a unity. The lack of unity in humanity and lack of understanding and appreciation can be improved through inter-change of tourists. Globally India, since time immemorial promoted principle of “VASUDAIBA KUTUMBKAM” – whole world is one family. Tourism fosters communal harmony as visible in India where all the religious festivities of various communities are celebrated with equal gusto, India is visited as epicenter of Hindusim, Budhism, Sikhism, Jainism and equally important for Islam Christan , Zoras triones religion sects. On Indian soil tourism promotes all these religions festivals for co-existence based on the crux of all these religiors – “Service to people HUMANITY and have thus helped better understanding and takeout fake ego. The communities can’t feel celebration of a festival by not associating other communities. This “Botherhood” and “Being in one family” are the real need of the hour. How each community stand together at the time of crisis and pull together happens only though proper understanding propogated through tourism. Many tourists come to India to see this broadness of mind & communal harmony. Tourism has helped in creating jobs globally and a major step to eradicate unemployment which be breed corruption, terrorism and drug edicts. These are effectively controlled through tourism related activities. It creates self esteem and a desere high standard of living and competitiveness to move forward. They get hardly any time for nefarious activities. In India where unemployment is a big issue, tourism providers over 54 millions jobs at a rough estimate about 10% of total employment in India and help in increase of GDP. Through tourism related activities, nearly contributing 6% of total GDP and can raise to 10% if tourism is given due priority and patronage it deserves.
Tourism has now brought in global investment through public private partnerships and globally investments are being made without any discrimination. It brings two different work cultures together and gain learning experience, exchanges each others expertise and boost an investments in hospitality industry. It gives an impression of MINI world when tourists see various nationalities are working together for a common course which is visible in the hospitality industry.
Tourism has helped in controlling terrorism to some extent by forming global partnerships as is visible every where who all have the threats of terrorism have joined to put up a combined front to combat terrorism.
Tourism is rapidly changing the attitude of decision makers and now promoted counted as “the most positive vehicle for global understanding and peace”.
