Tourism in Delhi set to grow

Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), an undertaking of the Government of Delhi, is into multi-faceted operations, the prime being the promotion of tourism. Offering a wide-ranging spectrum of services to tourists and also to the citizens of Delhi, the DTTDC has drawn up several new plans to boost tourism and involve new stakeholders to give a new direction to tourism. Managing Director Ramesh Negi tells Amitabh Shukla that increasing the hotel accommodation in Delhi and involving the civic bodies would be the focus areas.

Q: How is tourism in Delhi and north India placed vis-à-vis other parts of the country?

A: We had commissioned a survey recently and the report is just out. Interestingly, a slight decline in tourism has been reported in Delhi and north India as compared to other parts of the country. The year 2000 was the peak when 2.65 million international tourists arrived in the country. Post 9/11 and bird flu scare, there was a decline in the numbers. The domestic tourism too declined to some extent. However, of late, tourism is picking up and it is now touching the 3 million mark for international tourists.

Q: Delhi is the gateway of international tourists and the Capital of the country. Do tourists come here by default?

A: We had recently done a survey on the response of the international tourists who arrive in the city. The response was an eye opener for us. These tourists rated public convenience, tour operators and guides as the most hopeless in the city. Interestingly, the same tourists rated food, public transport and immigration in the higher category of satisfaction. These tourists did not see security as a threat in the city even though the western media had blown some criminal incidents out of proportion. As the main attractions of the city, the tourists listed monuments, entertainment scenario and shopping.

Q: What corrective steps are being taken following the survey?

A: Now, we have to improve the attractions of the city and remove the negatives as rated by the international tourists. For instance, the monuments are a strong plus for us but there are no public utilities and even a place for a cup of coffee of mineral water in the main monuments. We are talking to the ASI to introduce these in the monuments of the city. We have also found that 50 percent of the international tourists to the city come from Europe, 26 percent from Asia and 16 percent from South America. Only 4 percent of the tourists are from North America (USA and Canada). We are trying to promote the city and the country in the areas from where most of the tourists come here.

Q: You have identified the civic bodies in the Capital as the major stakeholders in tourism. How can they help the tourism scenario.

A: Well, the civic bodies are one of the most important aspect which we overlook most of the times. Unless there is general cleanliness and civic facilities available to the tourists, the scenario would remain grim. In most of the countries in the world, the civic bodies actively help promote tourism. I have talked to the MCD Commissioner and he has agreed to a cell in the civic body for tourism. Then urban upgradation is an important aspect in attracting tourists. DDA and the civic bodies have to be involved as major stakeholders to give a new orientation to tourism.

Q: The problem of accommodation is quite acute here. What will be the scenario in the next five years when the Commonwealth Games are slated to be held in the city?

A: Delhi has only 10 thousand registered rooms for the visitors. There are another 10 thousand in the unorganised sector and these are not governed by the rules. First of all we have to bring these unorganised hotels and guest houses in the regulated category. Providing accommodation is a big challenge. As land is with the DDA, we have asked for 15 plots from the DDA so that a capacity of 5000 rooms could be built well before the Games. Due to the acute shortage of rooms in the Capital, the room rents are quite high. While the international norm is to charge $30 for a 3-star hotel and $100 for a five-star hotel, the charges in Delhi are much more. If more rooms are created the charges will come down. (10.7.2005)