Opportunities and Restraints for Tourism Development in South Asia

SAARC is home to exotic valuable tourist resources and attractions, which could be truly utilized as impetus for reducing widespread poverty, could spur economic growth and has potential to uplift one of the one the poorest communities of the world. SAARC countries have not yet exploited a bit of enormous potential of intra-regional and international tourism to generate employment, reduce prevalence of widespread dejected poverty, enhance economic well-being and cater peace and stability in the region. Tourism being non-sensitive in nature, have spill over effects on the dynamics of cooperation at regional, national and international level. With low political sensitivity, tourism could have multi-fold technical, cultural and economic repercussion. Tourism however in the South Asian region has been highly vulnerable to the political rifts, financial instability, law and other situations, and other external shocks of natural disasters etc. Despite that the region has very vast potential catering as market for both intra-and inter-regional tourism, tourism in the regional has not flourished as of yet. SAARC having most geographic intensity, unique identity and exotic cultures and value, with share physical connectivity built centuries ago and with diverse landforms and topography, art and culture, diversity of religion and linguistics has the potential to be one of thriving and demanded tourist destination across the world. The regional stakeholders SAARC, the governments of member countries and the private sector actors need work together to create effective demand of international and regional tourist, to foster a conducive environment to cater and tap international and regional tourist arrivals and to counter the negative narrative or perception of insecure, chaotic and disorganized region.