YOUR article titled "Developing healthy tourism culture" (FE- Sept 29) was indeed enlightening. As tourism means traveling for recreation, leisure or for business purposes, it has now become a popular leisure activity around the globe. More importantly, it is the engine of economic growth in many countries. Tourism helps empower women and increases employment for the youth. As tourism has been growing continuously and opening up economic activities worldwide, it has become the main source of income ?for many developing countries. As a matter of fact, tourism today plays a vital role in drawing the world closer as it has been a major social phenomenon of societies all over the world. It is driven by the natural urge of every human being for new experiences, and the desire to be both enlightened and entertained. Every time we travel, we become aware of many unknown things that can enrich us in many ways. Every citizen can perform the job of an ambassador and play courteous host to tourists. Each one of us is responsible for contributing our bit to protect the natural resources of our planet. We must remember that tourism is an ever-evolving and thriving industry that contributes to the economic wellbeing of every nation and generates hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities besides focusing on environment-friendly activities.
Vinod C. Dixit
B-15 Jyotikalash Societ
Jodhpur Tekra, Ahmedabad, India