What do you mean by tourism?
I often wonder at the word ‘tourism’; perhaps the only business or vocation which has ‘ism’ prefixed to it. Often I have talked about tourism as an economic activity and the governments, and the private players in the hospitality or travel business, limit it to those material understanding of the term that does not carry any impact.
There are countries who have boosted their economies through sheer understanding it as a cultural concept that enhances a visitor from another land to get connected to the area…intrinsically. Some of the places enhance joyful experiences, while others create soulful and spiritual satiation.
Countries and organizations wanting to explore the potential of tourism, need to understand its spiritual and humane aspects. Despite the fact that Mary Jane Corbett, the mother of Jim Corbett is given the credit for popularizing Nainital as a tourism destination, 130 years ago.
Another innovator and travel enthusiast, Thomas Cook initiated the concept of conducted tours, but its etymology goes back to Greek in the 1300s where it literally meant turning on a lathe or the French version of drawing circles, too much later in 1832, "surroundings, environment," picked up by De Quincey from French entourage, from tourer "to surround" (16c.), from Old French tour "that which surrounds" (10c.), from en- "
Specific sense of "attendant persons, persons among whom as followers or companions one is accustomed to moving" was recorded in English by 1860.
Tourism is more of an ism that encourages human-to-human interaction and where the unique natural assets of a place, when maintained in their fullest glory, work positively on the human psyche. Tourism to my mind continues to be a way of life that enchants other human beings who come in touch with those human and natural elements.
Countries like New Zealand, and Scandinavian countries, who have truly understood the concept have created an inclusive culture of acceptance of all human beings. Our Chandigarh’s thematic symbol of ‘open hand’, open to receive and open to give emanates from a similar attribute of tourism.
Tourism is where the mind is free and open to mingling with the local culture in its entirety leaving an indelible mark on one’s heart and soul.
Are our cities ready to create that feeling of trust, openness, and transparency for visitors from other places? Are we proud of the city we live in, and would help an unknown traveler, discover its beauty? This brings into play the entire community of humans who are the ambassadors of the city to reflect that positivity to others. Do our policies conform to this principle? Tourism is not about the infrastructure and buildings and monuments. Tourism is the way humans interact with other humans as human.
What do you think?
#business #community #environment #experience #culture #hospitality #Tourism #WTO #travel #medicaltourism
