Tourism maps with Google

Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture, informs that they are developing ‘Tourism Maps’ for travellers to receive alerts for monuments and tourism destinations on their route.

Nisha Verma

Prahlad Singh Patel has said that Ministry of Tourism has asked Google to collaborate with them in creating ‘Tourism Maps’ that will guide travellers on several aspects. “Google Maps is already there, but if someone is on a ‘tourism highway’ that has a monument or tourism product nearby or on the route, it would give them an alert. We have decided that we will never get into booking, but we will share information of everyone who is registered with us,” he said addressing the people over All India Radio.

The Minister also added that with a newfound focus on sustainability, the Northeast region in India might be a place that can attract tourists. “What we must put across is that the Northeast could be a new destination for people. We are developing ‘tourism highways’, especially at places where people have not gone. Hence, if someone has to go from Guwahati to Arunachal, we will tell them the route. We have removed the difference between public and private establishments, whether its hotels – small or big, guest houses or homestays. We will provide information on the route to take and guide travellers to nearby accommodations, whether public or private, also giving their contact numbers. We will even provide the route to a petrol station and good wayside amenities,” Patel said. It is also believed that a draft of the tourism policy has been shared with states and stakeholders, and suggestions from their end are awaited.