By Prashant Maurya

 

These are my personal views about how to go ahead in near future with domestic, NRI and international tourists

 

• Rajasthan has so many hidden gems (and off beat destinations) like Chanod, Kumbhalgarh, Ghanerao, Sumer, Jawai, Siana, world’s largest open air art gallery (Shekhawati region), Manvar, Osiyan, Chandelao, Khejarla, Rohet, Luni, Mihirgarh, Shahpura, Jojawar, Narlai, Chittorgarh, Sardar Samand, Kishangarh, Devigarh, Bishangarh, Sariska, Dungarpur, etc and more such places keep coming up often! So for those who have been to Rajasthan before, we can offer another offbeat programme bypassing major cities like Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur & Udaipur almost completely

 

• Water tour can be promoted, which is already being done by some niche operators, highlighting how in the water deficient state, with old wisdom, such beautiful storage system has been there in place including at forts, step wells (Chand Baori), canals, with several man made lakes at Udaipur, etc. Jaisalmer does not have water shortage usually despite being in Thar desert area

 

• Some USP that can be projected is like probably the only ‘living fort’ in India (Sonar in Jaisalmer) + second longest wall after Great Wall of China Kumbhalgarh (36 km)

 

• Need to promote, more than ever before, our local artists and cultural performances to keep these living heritage alive

 

• Fairs & festivals – so far mostly Pushkar and Desert Fair in Jaisalmer have been selling (like hot cakes), we need to promote many other  festivals which Rajasthan is known for

 

• Weddings: Eco friendly weddings to be promoted, using more of natural and bio degradable & reusable material, not leaving a big heap of non degradable trash for the municipal or panchayat to deal with after lavish weddings are over, which only adds to the existing junk

 

• Wildlife is so amazing, in a state even in the areas where vegetation is less or negligible, like snakes, monitor lizard, scorpion, variety of birds, deer, wild boar and other carnivores. Leopards are seen plenty in places like Jawai and around Kumbhalgarh

 

• We need to start using more of smaller accommodation nestled in countryside, which will allow more homogenous distribution of income and will have balanced multiplier effect

 

• No matter how much digitalisation and automation may happen, real tourism is people to people / nature contact and that can not go. And that will sure come back when Covid effect becomes negligible

 

• Tourism bouncing back in full swing after a lull can have its adverse effect, as we sure need to slow down and too much too sudden does not sound great. Instead of Revenge Tourism, it must be Responsible Tourism

 

• People come to experience & see vibrant colours, local life – sure we have had glorious history, but after a certain point, people can not really grasp it more and they would love to see local life and mingle with grass root people. Of course distancing will need to be followed and hope slowly as virus disappears, things will change from extreme

 

• Climb Aravalis hills, one of oldest ranges, specially taking school children and tourists alike. Hiking, trekking, rappelling, rock climbing, kayaking, cycling, farm tours, etc need to be promoted and luckily now there are many such small operators providing these services

 

• Branding is important, but it must be backed by a wider range of excellent services and attractions

 

• Luxury tourism brings in lot of money of course, but it has to be a responsible luxury, in terms of giving exclusive experiences, private moments, longer stays at each place. In the past we have seen though, there is a lot of wastage that takes place and adds to unnecessary carbon footprint. So hotels and traveller, both need to be more responsible and

 

• Drivers & guides are greatest ambassadors, so training programmes must be held for them and they need to be more friendly, hospitable and duty bound

 

• Someone mentioned about several neighbouring countries getting 30-40 million tourists and France & China getting even more…..but we need to find solace in the fact that the length of stay of foreign tourists in India is far greater in our country…..

 

• Technology will change a few things but basics remain, attitude does count! Services must come with right attitude and dedication In immediate future

 

• Experiential tour and transformation is quiet important…and its heartening to see the number of guides that Rajasthan has created in recent past!