India’s Tourism Minister, Mahesh Sharma, has proposed that the country go in for SMART goals, rather than plan big projects, which may not be implemented in a designated time frame.

Sharma told a seminar in Varanasi on March 14, organized by the UP Hotel and Restaurant Association and the Confederation of Indian Industry on Heritage and Spiritual Tourism that Prime Minister Modi had realized the importance of tourism and was acting accordingly.

The minister elaborated what he meant by SMART goals – SMALL, MANAGEABLE, ACCESSABLE, REALISTIC, and TANGIBLE.

Such goals should be achieved in a designated time frame, he said, adding that cleanliness and safety were top on the list of tasks and results should be seen within one to three months..

Noting the similarity between hotels and hospitals, the Minister – who is a doctor and runs a chain of hospitals – said that even if one patient has some complaint, that is what will be highlighted, not the good care of the other 99 percent.

In a hotel, even if one guest is not happy, the other satisfied guests will not get noticed.

In Varanasi, the hotels and the ghats – river fronts – are crucial for a proper clean city.

Rajendra Prasad, former Additional Director, Uttar Pradesh Tourism, said that all cities along the Ganga should be promoted, not just Varanasi and Hardiwar. He said that building bylaws should be changed, and the facades of the heritage buildings should not be changed.

Prasad called for a separate department of heritage, saying that he annual Magh Mela fair should be promoted, not just the Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years. The former bureaucrat called for setting up a National Tourism University.

Himmat Anand, founder, Tree of Life resorts and hotels, noted that UP was home to major religions and should be rightly call “God’s Own Country.” Anand called for a strategy to promote Varanasi and see to it that the tourists stay longer.