Archive · 26 Aug 2026
India Should Fix Tourism Problems Before Spending More on Marketing
The article says India has many wonderful places and a very old civilization.
However, visiting India can sometimes be difficult for tourists.
They may face traffic, pollution, garbage, safety worries and complicated rules.
The author believes government advertising cannot hide these problems.
He says people usually visit places because other travelers recommend them.
That recommendation comes from having a good and safe experience.
India’s domestic tourists already know how to travel around the country.
The author thinks India should improve its public services before spending more money on promotion.
If India becomes cleaner, safer and easier to visit, tourists may advertise it themselves.
The author argues that India’s tourism challenge is poor execution, not insufficient promotion.
He says visitors are discouraged by traffic, pollution, garbage, safety concerns and bureaucratic obstacles.
The article claims tourism depends on good governance, cleanliness, efficiency, safety and trust.
It contrasts India’s extensive cultural and natural attractions with the difficulty of visiting the country.
The author urges India to improve everyday conditions so tourists recommend it without taxpayer-funded campaigns.
- Who
- Mohan Murti, an advocate and international industry arbitrator, wrote the opinion piece.
- What
- The piece argues that India should improve tourism infrastructure and governance rather than rely mainly on promotional campaigns.
- When
- The article does not specify when the proposed reforms should occur.
- Where
- The discussion concerns tourism in India, including conditions faced by visitors there.
- Why
- The author says traffic, cleanliness, safety, bureaucracy and inconsistent execution can undermine tourism despite India’s attractions.
Marketing-first advocates
Governance-first critics
How to attract tourists
Marketing-first advocates
Promotional campaigns, tourism roadshows, summits and international delegations can present India as a destination.
Governance-first critics
The author argues that advertising cannot compensate for poor visitor experiences and that tourists should be won through better conditions.
Main tourism problem
Marketing-first advocates
The article characterizes the opposing view as treating insufficient promotion and branding as the central problem.
Governance-first critics
The author says India’s larger problem is inconsistent execution, including safety, cleanliness, traffic, efficiency and trust.
Role of government spending
Marketing-first advocates
The marketing-focused approach supports spending on publicity and tourism events to increase visibility.
Governance-first critics
The author criticizes repeated taxpayer-funded campaigns and calls for spending to prioritize practical improvements, such as cleaner railway stations.
- Author
- Mohan Murti, FICA
- Professional background
- Advocate and international industry arbitrator; former Managing Director-Europe of Reliance Industries Ltd. Germany
- Central argument
- Fix India’s governance and visitor experience before increasing tourism marketing
- Problems identified
- Traffic, garbage, pollution, safety concerns, broken pavements and bureaucracy
- Tourism strength identified
- India’s cultural, historical and natural attractions
- Preferred promotion
- Recommendations from satisfied travelers rather than government advertising
- Publication note
- ThePrint says subscriber submissions are published as received and are not edited or fact-checked