TOURISM SHOULD COUNTER TERRORISM, SAYS PRIME MINISTER PATA
CONFERENCE INAUGURATED
The
Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has called upon tourism
fraternity to intensify its campaign against terrorism and extremism,
as tourism is an antidote to terrorism. He said " whereas terrorism
feeds on intolerance, tourism breeds tolerance and empathy. Terrorism
has no respect for human life. In contract, tourism teaches us
to savor and to celebrate all that is beautiful in nature and
human life. Terrorism seeks to erect walls of hatred between faith
and communities. Tourism breaks such barriers".
Inaugurating Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA) Meet here today, the Prime Minister said that
India is now all geared upto reach its true potential in tourism.
A large sum is being invested for expanding and modernizing infrastructure,
development of tourism circuits, preservation and maintenance
of monuments, information technology and all other things related
to tourism. Calling for joint marketing and tourism development
strategy for South Pacific region, Shri Vajpayee said the region
is dotted with innumerable centers of tourists attraction. In
South East and far East Asia a regional Buddhist circuit could
be considered as a joint tourism product and a regional Ramayana
Circuit and a package that links the centers of Sufi spiritualism
in India, West Asia, Central Asia and South-East Asia could be
developed, he added.
Earlier welcoming the delegates,
Minister for Tourism & Culture, Shri Jagmohan said," Tourism
is a potent instrument for eliminating poverty, for ending unemployment
and promoting dialogue among civilization. But we have to utilize
its full potential. India is trying to open hitherto closed doors
and find new passages. "Efforts are being made to present the
wonder that is India – wonder not only in terms of beauties and
bounties of nature but also in terms of an ancient civilization
that was born, bred and beckoned here", he added.
On the occasion, President and CEO
of PATA Mr. Peter De Jong said that Asia Pacific region has promising
future as economy forecast indicate Asia’s share of global GDP
will rise from 1/3rd in 1998 to more than 50 per cent
by 2025. Especially in the case of India, there is a very large
potential for future growth in international travel. According
to PATA’s study as many as 25 million Indians can afford international
travel which is six times the number of those who are currently
travelling abroad. He added a new order is emerging world over
which calls for a shared vision to recognize and utilize travel
and tourism as a catalyst for peace and prosperity.
The 51st PATA Conference
is being held at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi from April 14-18 2002.
About 1050 delegates from 41 countries including Representatives
of Government Tourism Bodies, Airlines, hotel chains, travel industry,
tour companies and travel writers are participating. The conference
will discuss key tourism trends for coming years, aviation development,
global marketing and sustainable tourism.
