TravTalk India Online Magazine
With pollution in North India, especially in tourist hotspots of Delhi, Agra and Varanasi, touching unbearable levels, there is an urgent need to address the problem or risk facing grave consequences. This issue needs the seriousness it deserves not just for tourism, but for the well-being of India’s 1.3 billion citizens.
It is rather sad that towards the end of October and November each year, we witness terrible pollution levels not just in Delhi, but also at other tourism hotspots in North India like Agra and Varanasi. The pollution level in these destinations is becoming a real threat to India’s popularity and positioning as a tourism-friendly destination, and one that offers visitors a unique culturally and spiritually uplifting experience.
Pollution is something that seems to have either been ignored or, even if steps have been taken, they haven’t been adequate or have not had the desired effect
Post Diwali, I visited Varanasi for a weekend with the family, where on an early morning boat ride (which is considered one of the must-dos in Varanasi), we saw a group of Japanese tourists in the boat next to ours, all wearing anti-pollution face masks.
We came across the group again in Sarnath, and they were still in their masks. It’s a shame to the industry, which we belong to. There is a need to do something about it and hence, on my return, I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister’s Grievance Cell and I got an acknowledgement saying that the environment ministry is looking into it.
I hope something is done, and done soon, because we seem to be becoming complacent about the issue and are getting used to it happening every year. It’s a big negative from a tourism point of view and over the last few weeks, we’ve been getting messages from agents as well as direct clients, asking to avoid Delhi altogether. We don’t want to reach a scenario where people would also want to avoid Agra or Varanasi. These are tourism hotspots in our country and are now in the top 10 as far as pollution is concerned. We have clients from the UK writing to us asking about the severity of the pollution and if they need to carry any medication or even oxygen cylinders with them during their travels.
While we appreciate the steps taken by the government to reduce taxation on hotels and ease the visa regime, air pollution is something that seems to have either been ignored or, even if steps have been taken, they haven’t been adequate, have not had the desired effect, or the effects are not visible.
There is a need to raise a voice together, because this problem is now affecting not only our health, but also inbound tourist numbers. November, traditionally, is a month when inbound tour operators do about 20 per cent of their annual business, hence, if foreigners start avoiding coming to India in this month entirely, it will affect the inbound tourism industry. Something needs to be done about this, at the highest level. I am also writing to IATO to take it up at the highest level in the government, as well as with other associations, so that we can raise a common voice.
