Tourism and Joy of Travelling

Points: Travelling past and present — Tourism as an industry — Travelling as education.

             Travelling in the past was different in many ways. In those days there was no tourist lodge or holiday home. There were a few wayside inns, but hotels or motels were out of the question. Cars were unknown and people would go on a pilgrimage either by boat or simply by slogging on.

             In this jet age, the old concept of travelling has changed radical. People now go round the world at supersonic speed with only a few stop-over’s en route. Modem travelling is less risky and more organised. It takes far less time. It is a modern industry. There are spots that attract travelers—we call them tourists— from all parts of the world. The Taj in Agra, the Kanchanjangha in Darjeeling, Stratford-upon-Avon in England where Shakespeare was born and the Niagara Falls in America are such world-famous spots.

             Travelling is both for pleasure and for education. It removes many of our narrow prejudices1. It also strengthens our patriotism. We get a fair idea of our beautiful country and its people. We realise that India is a land of unity in diversity. It also assures us that mankind is one and indivisible.