JOIN USWorld tourism day celebrated in city
In his address at the World Tourism Day, organised at the townhall here, he said every Mysorean should make the tourists return to their homes with pleasant memories of city. It was a challenging task and everyone from an autorickshaw driver to hoteliers and tour operators should ensure that a visitor is not extorted, and charged exorbitantly.
Everyone associated with the hospitality and travel industry must shed only-for-money attitude,” he said.
Gupta said every visitor would love to experience Goa. The tourists throng the coastal state throughout the year. The people of Goa exude warmth, love and respect for the visitors and this is the secret behind Goa’s success which thrives as a tourism hotspot, the Deputy Commissioner said adding that the people here could emulate the Goa and mentally prepare to receive guests.
Any tourist should not feel that he was ‘cheated’ with fares, be it travel or stay.
“Many destinations in the world create their own artificial tourist spots through creativity. But, the city of Mysore is blessed with with an inherent heritage and charm. The world has started to recognise it as a brand destination. Our new website showing a panaromic view of Mysore palace is visited by more thousands within a month. We have a good infrastructure,” he said.
On the occasion, Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal said the tourism industry in State needed to learn few lessons from the Kerala too. “We have the best and bigger coastal line than the neighbouring State. But, the infrastructure and facilities are minimal,” he regretted.
Speaking at the programme, Shanthinath, founder president of the Mysore Travel Agents Association said that New York Times listed Mysore among the first four tourist destinations in the world. “We must make all efforts and work hard and promote the sector and secure first place for Mysore,” he said.
Earlier, a colourful procession of cultural troupes comprising folk artistes, Tibetan playing flutes and drums took out a rally from the town hall to the railway station via Devaraja Urs road and JLB road. The rally was aimed at sensitising the importance of tourism promotion.
The World Tourism Day at Townhall was organised under the joint auspices of the Mysore Travel Agents Association(MTAA), state tourism department and the department of tourism of Mahajana college. MTAA president C A Jayakumar, Nagapathi of Mahajana college, Jayaram, Assistant director of tourism department and others were present.