Need to have facilities to entertain tourists 'after sunset', says K Alphons

Tourism Minister K Alphons has said India needs to have “some facilities” for entertainment of tourists “after sunset” like those available in Goa to boost tourism and hospitality sector in the country.

He, however, clarified that his suggestion should not be misconstrued as pitching for a dose of “night life.” The Minister remarks came as he announced launch of a 20-day nation-wide 'Paryatan Parva (Tourism Festival)' from October 5 to promote domestic tourism in the country. The Tourism Ministry has identified 60 tourist destinations across the country to showcase “cultural diversity of India” and various niche tourism products during the festival.

Various activities including folk dance, quiz, debate essay competition will be organised at Hampi on October 20 and October 21. “Problem with tourism (sector in India) is that there is very little (for the tourist) to do beyond the sunset. There should be some facility available for the entertainment of tourist in evening,” Alphons told reporters here. The Minister said that private sector players should be encouraged to create such facilities for the tourists to boost tourism sector in India.

“I am only saying that something should be created for entertainment of tourists in evening. I am not talking about night-life,” he told DH when asked for clarification. Sharing details on the 'Paryatan Parva,' the Minister urged people to visit various tourist destinations in the country.
“I think India is being neglected by our own people,” he said. While replying to a related question, he noted that number of tourists travelling to the north-eastern states was “very less.”

“It's (north-east) is incredibly beautiful. So much of music and culture is there. Go see it in Mizoram and Shillong. First of all India must discover that,” he added. On the question of tourist safety, the Minister said India is one of the “safest” country in the world.

“We have to first believe that we are safe. You see incidents happening every day. Just one (recent) incident in (Las Vegas) US, over 51 people were gunned down,” he added. The 'Paryatan Parva' will be inaugurated at the Humayun Tomb, a famous tourist spot in Delhi and a world heritage site declared by the Unesco, on October 5.

The 20-day long mega event is being organised by the Tourism Ministry in collaboration with other Ministries on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent call to boost domestic tourism, Alphons said.