PROPER PLANNING MUST FOR DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT, SAYS SARAB JIT SINGH
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“We have enough experience of seeing the tourist destinations developed in India, where things were not planned properly. Therefore, the destinations are facing lot of problems including connectivity, carrying capacity, unplanned and overcrowded surroundings. Therefore, I would humbly request to please plan the tourist destinations on macro level and develop as per plans, no short cuts, no mid-way changes to please or benefit some individual interests. The execution for the development may be carried out in stages. This will ensure longevity of any tourist destination, said Sarab Jit Singh, Sr Vice President, Indian Association of Tour Operators, while speaking as a panelist on the panel “Tourism in Andhra Pradesh, an Economic Change Agent” at Vishakhapatnam.
Singh suggested that the Govt of Andhra Pradesh to create experiential destinations. “You may think of creating a new vision, may be on the lines of Genting Highlands of Malaysia or Sentosa Island and other experiences of Singapore or the man-made marvels of Dubai or Las Vegas,” he added.
Lauding Andhra Pradesh for being ranked at number 3 as a religious tourism destination, he advised Andhra government to look at developing beach tourism due to a vast coastline that the state offers. “Water sports is a great area which is still to pick up in India and Andhra Pradesh can explore the possibilities at larger water bodies available in the state. Boating and cruises in the backwaters is another very good possibilities available. Though you have the second largest coast line in India, you may have to look at all the aspects of development at a larger scale for tourism purpose. This includes the quality of sand on beach, year round temperature and weather conditions, wherever they are conducive,” he suggested.
“Creating interesting and attractive tourist circuit is very important for the tour operators to promote and operate tours in this region. Connectivity to the tourist destinations, both international and domestic by air, rail and road is most important. Therefore, this aspect must be fully looked into before moving ahead,” he said suggesting that organizing FAM trip and education tours for tour operators to gain first hand knowledge about the destination that can help in selling the destination in a better way.
He also spoke about providing last mile connectivity to promote the destination. “It is also important to plan and provide the last mile connectivity. Transport must be made economical. Therefore, tax on tourist vehicles, both inter-state and operating within the state, must be made most economical by charging least possible tax,” he added.
The panel was chaired by Nakul Anand, Chairman, FAITH and the Keynote Address was delivered by P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Govt. of India and the other panelists were Neerabh K. Prasad, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Andhra Pradesh, Subhash Chandra, Essel World; Vivek Nair, CMD, Leela Hotels; Manav Thadani of HVS Group and SDV Krishna Kumar from Air Costa. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandra Babu Naidu also joined the event.