Tourism

An urge to travel is an inborn instinct in human beings. People like to see the wide world with its variety of languages, habits, cultures,climates and an ever-changing landscape. To the intellectual type, the art, culture, traditions, and festivals and architecture are an added attraction. Man has changed his mode of travel over the centuries from barges and boats to high-speed jet planes. The restful but time-consuming voyage on a ship, in contrast to a speedy and spectacular ride in a jet, both are fascinating. In the fast changing world, the jets of today will be old fashioned and obsolete before the supersonic giants.

Tourism has a tremendous impact on the economy of any country. The invisible gains in the balance sheet of the country's economy are by no means insignificant. Coupled with these gains is the large amount of international good-will the country earns at no sacrifice whatsoever. The country's tourist potential consists mainly of what is already a part and parcel of the land. The country does not part with any of these real assets but the impressions and the souvenir which the tourists take back from a country are weightier than gold in terms good-will and friendship. In return, the tourist expects nothing more than tourist-free travels. More than anything else he wants an opportunity to meet the people of the country and know about their customs, habits, religion and the outlook on life.

A vital role that tourism can play is to act as an instrument of closer international relations. Countries professing diametrically opposite political ideologies can hardly ever have a common meeting ground. Yet this ground can be provided by the encouragement of tourists traffic. A tourist visits a country to relax and enjoy in a different environment. The setting is ideal for a free and unbiased exchange of views and ideas. Such exchanges have often paved the way for clearer appreciation of each other's point of view and can contribute substantially to international understanding. In a way tourism can be said to be a messenger of good-will and peace.

Tourism can also help to promote business. A tourist visiting a country can take advantage of his stay to meet his clients in business. Such personal contacts often contribute towards larger business. It is no less possible for tourist to establish fresh business connections either in the same line of business,or may be in some other entirely new line, which may ultimately turn out to be far more lucrative.