Unethical Practices in Tourism

Embody the Spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava”

Tourism plays a vital role in the Indian economy, but the stake holders of tourism industry have corroded the very essence of it. There are increasing signs of growth in this sector but not without its negative aspects.

Athithi Devo Bhava

Unfortunately some of the stakeholders deceitfully use unethical practices towards the poor tourist contradicting the motto of the Indian Tourism “Atithi Devo Bhava”. The Government has taken steps for the protection of tourists, they decided to involve the taxi drivers, cab drivers, travel agents, guest house owners, tour operators and autowala’s in the ambit of police radar making it difficult to escape.

Foreign Tourists

Foreign Tourists Walking Around Connaught Place, India

I have seen in Delhi a series of malpractices and negative marketing strategies exercised to dupe travellers. The private travel companies appoint agents to roam around the city (as seen prominently in the circles of Connaught place; a popular and busy market centre, railway station and such other areas) scouting for foreign tourists. They brainwash them into buying attractive schemes or booking accommodations at exorbitant rates and procure commission in return. Beggars also don’t stay behind and often pester tourists to extort money and when the same is refused they can become unpleasent at times. Sometimes they learn a few English words and recite it again and again to frustrate the travellers in paying them some money.

However all these are mere irritants and do not really portray the true Indian spirit, which indeed manages to break through giving the tourist an overall  agreeable experience. We all must come together to end these malpractices and embody the spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava” .

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