Published on: June 15, 2023 @ 18:47
Reporter: Aniruddha Pal
SPT News, Kolkata, June 15: Eminent travel writer Subhash Goyal has highlighted the huge employment potential in India through tourism. He has written a remarkable book – ‘Poverty Eradication and Economic Development through Tourism’ – on how tourism can solve the problem of unemployment in India and at the same time promote tourism. If this book is properly studied, the country’s policy makers, parliamentarians, politicians will find the way to promote tourism. It can be said that this book is a complete document for the development of tourism. Recently, Subhash Goyal came to attend a blood donation camp organized by India Tourism in Kolkata on World Blood Donor Day on June 14. There he handed over this precious book to the dignitaries. Notable among them is India Tourism Kolkata Regional Director (East)Dr. Sagnik Chowdhury, Travel Agents Federation of India or TAFI Chairman (Eastern India) Anil Punjabi and Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Chairman (West Bengal Chapter) Devjit Dutt.
The time the book was written
Atal Bihari Vajpayee led the BJP government in India when the book was written. At the time of the second edition of the book, there was a Congress government at the Centre. But now Modi government has started giving special importance to tourism. Already the Ministry of Tourism has brought several projects in the country. Through which tourism can be developed besides employment. The G20 meeting is going on in the country now, through which an opportunity has been created to showcase the culture of our country in front of the foreign representatives. Author Subhash Goyal, however, has admitted that the Modi government is currently giving special importance to tourism. As a result, tourism has started to expand in rural areas today. He hopes this trend will continue.
There are total nine chapters in the book
He has put total nine chapters in the book. He explains beautifully in each chapter. Finally, in the very ninth chapter, he makes 10 remarkable points. If any policy maker follows these points then the development of tourism in our country and any developing country will have great results.
Author Subah Goyal has highlighted some valuable points in the introduction
When author Subhash Goel wrote his book, the socio-economic conditions of the country were similar. He wrote the book seeing the broken state of that situation. In the introduction of the book, he has brought it out beautifully. At the same time, he made a concerted effort to awaken his desire and hope. There he wrote – “The present work is the culmination of ideas and experience, the trauma and elation, despair and hopes of one who has spent over a generation in an industry which has long been seen as the main growth driver of any economy and society, but has so far failed to arouse the sensibilities of the Indian political leadership.”
“It makes no bones about its intended purpose. The objective is to make our parliamentarians, district and local level politicians comprehend what the tourism industry could do to liberate our society from the scourge of poverty and deprivation through the creation of employment opportunities.”
He further wrote – “The book identities the grey in tourism development and puts forward a blueprint for ensuring sustained growth and job creation to break the vicious circle of scarce resources holding up economic development and percolation of benefits to the masses.”
Finally he wrote – “My earnest appeal to all Members of Parliament to stop and think about the problem of unemployment and how it can be overcome.”
“My efforts will not go in vain if the present and future generations as parliamentarians not only in India but in all developing countries take a cue from this book and put tourism development at the forefront of their national agenda.”
The Chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airlines provided valuable feedback
Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airlines introduced Subhash Goel as his friend and gave valuable feedback on this book. There he writes at the end of his opinion – “My friend Subhash Goyal has written an excellent, through-provoking book outlining the problems facing Indian tourism and aviation and recommending the solutions. His Ten-Point Strategy for Tourism Development should be read by everyone who cares about the future prosperity of the great nation, India. In fact, those politicians and senior civil servants dealing directly with tourism and aviation should be forced to recite the ten points each night before going to sleep!”
“The potential for tourism in India is nothing short of enormous. Only shortsightedness can fail to realize it. I urge everyone involved to seize the initiative. I have every confidence that they will do so.”