Importance of Tourism Industry:
At present, tourism is not only limited to provide employment or foreign currency, but it also helps in developing hotel, banking, transportation, clothes and jewellery sector.
It can also be explained in the following terms –
1. Creating Employment Opportunities –
Tourism industry is the sector considered to be the highest employment opportunity creator in the country since this industry is growing continuously and rapidly.
2. Foreign Currency Receipts –
International tourists provide foreign currency as expenses on travel and tourism, by which the country earns foreign exchange. This has much importance in foreign trade.
3. Cultural Preservation –
In the rapidly growing economic realm and communication age, it is becoming difficult to follow and practice ancient cultures, traditions, etc. But because of tourist interest and preferences, government and private sector provide motivation for preservation & culture, and protection is being given to traditional fairs and celebrations.
4. Enhance Social Harmony –
Employment opportunities at tourist places are created due to the presence of tourists. They like to visit beautiful places. Thus, it has been seen that a business understanding has been developed between people of different communities at tourist places and this social harmony is resulting in unity among people.
5. Increase in Fame and Reputation –
Celebrities and VIPs, while visiting a certain place, bring the location into limelight through newspapers, television news.
6. Environment Awareness –
Attracted by the lure of the money obtained from tourists, all parties are eager to think upon and work for all those aspects through which the facilities and influx of tourists can increase.
The weakness of tourism:
1. Spread of Social, Cultural and Environmental pollution –
The facilities made available for the entertainment of tourists including intoxicants like opium, marijuana, hashish, etc. Dance clubs and prostitution is an increasing trend. This is polluting social systems and values. The clothes worn by foreign tourists, their lifestyle, and eating habits are in accordance with their culture. Due to their influx, Indians being in their contact, the clothes of these local Indians are also becoming similar to that of the foreigners, which is polluting the Indian culture.
2. Increase in Anti – National Activities –
Among the crowd of foreign tourists, some tourists are also sent by opposing or enemy nations to collect secret information, indulge in terrorism and to smuggle drugs. This may enable terrorists to get secret information, maps and locations, which they may misuse.
3. Making fun of Society’s Weaker Section –
One-third of India’s population lives below the poverty line and photographs of their lifestyle and eating habits are taken by the tourists.
