Tourists are brand ambassadors of their respective countries: Mahajan

All the persons involved in Tourism industry are the Flag Bearers of our country.

The continuous strive for service excellence is all the more important as India’s Tourism Sector is on an upward growth track. Addressing after presenting “National Tourism Awards for the year 2014-15” in various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry at a function organized by Ministry of Tourism here yesterday, she opined that we should look to tourism as a way of transforming not just the economy, but the lives of its people, within and outside the sector.

The idea of transformation goes so much wider. It is about creating opportunities, through tourism, for each and every individual of the destination to play a direct role.

She said that Tourist Guides play a pivotal role in Tourism industry as they play an important role in promoting tourism.

She called for positive news reporting about our country so that good image of our country can be portrayed abroad.

She said that in our childhood, we used to read about Gulliver Travels and Vasco De Gama to know about new places of Tourism. But now through the spread of Tourism industry, it has become very easy.

She expressed her happiness that the Rural Tourism has also been accorded due importance in this Award ceremony and cited the example of rich Rural tourism in Konkan region.

Sumitra Mahajhan extended her heartiest congratulations to all the award recipients and wished all of them a most rewarding journey ahead as they and their colleagues continue to bring the tourism industry to greater heights through your outstanding service and excellence.