HAPPENING -- 6:

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DELEGATES SUPPORT NILGIRI TOURISM

BY P S SUNDAR

Travel industry delegates from India and abroad who visited The Nilgiris on a familiarisation meet have assured to send tourists to the district round-the-year.

More importantly, they have appreciated the efforts of Nilgiri Hotel and Restaurant Association (NHRA) to promote ‘class tourism’ rather than ‘mass tourism’ to support the ecology of The Nilgiris.

“In pursuant to the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to popularise select destinations with value-addition through exposure to local rural culture, we gave orientation visits to these delegates to the flora and fauna, tribal populace, travel by Nilgiri Mountain Railway, tea tasting and indigenous products of The Nilgiris”, NHRA President T Krishnaraj told me.

“Our thrust was that the Nilgiris is round-the-year destination, not just summer resort as it is eco-tourism her with nature donning different countenance in different seasons.  Discerning visitors will benefit from this ‘class tourism’ while the district will benefit from responsible tourists”, he detailed.

At the dinner meet held in ITC Fortune Resort Sullivan Court Ooty, NHRA Committee member R Muralidharan gave a presentation of guided tour into the education, culture, tribes, rural areas, wildlife and local cuisine attractions of The Nilgiris.

Most delegates confirmed that this was among the best orientation visits they have had and would take the knowledge gained forward by bringing in visitors to appreciate all the seasons.

“Only now, I understand the benefits of visiting the Nilgiris.   This area has immense tourism potential.  I shall do my best to bring visitors”, Marzena Magnuszewska, Tourism Promoter from Poland said.

“There is a great liking for Indian lifestyle in my country.  I will explain the excellent experience I have had in The Nilgiris to the professionals back home and promote tourism to this district”, Sherita Kommal from South Africa said.

NHRA Vice President Ismail Khan, Secretary Chandrashekar, former President Murali Kumar and committee member P Vibhakar interacted with the delegates on the infrastructural facilities available in the district.  

 

On the request of the NHRA office-bearers, I made a brief presentation as observations arising from the deliberations.  With investments totalling arguably up to Rs 500 crore, the hospitality sector in The Nilgiris is deeply committed to augmenting ‘class tourism’, rather than ‘mass tourism’ as tool for sustainable tourism.   The Nilgiris means nature tourism or eco-tourism.  This not a place for Vidhan Soudhas or artificially illuminated fountains; on the contrary, there is nature’s bounty everywhere.  Besides, the Nilgiris is famous for education, churches, cemeteries, English and Indian tradition besides indigenous culture. This also means, there is scope for round-the-year tourism.  NHRA is the helping face of the tourism in the Nilgiris with brimming hospitality.

 It was a very nice feeling when NHRA President honoured me as ‘The Face of The Nilgiris’...  

NHRA office-bearers honoured all the delegates with mementoes.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)