New Delhi’s toxic air smothers iconic sights, threatens tourism sector
More than half a million of us travelled to this hotspot last year – but a new crisis has sparked an urgent warning for Australian tourists.
Travelling to India? Check the weather. Check the smog. Pack accordingly.
Summer heatwaves and autumn monsoons discourage travel.
Cooler winter weather makes exploring India’s sights much more enjoyable. This is why October to March is peak tourism season for its exotic destinations.
But that same cool air is causing pollutants to accumulate and linger in the air over northern parts of the country. Especially the capital, New Delhi.
It obscures views. It stains monuments. It shuts down outdoor activities.
“Air pollution can reach dangerous levels, especially in winter,” warns the Australian Government Smarttraveller website.
“It can disrupt transport and cause breathing problems. Discuss your travel plans with a doctor if you have an existing health condition. Elderly persons, pregnant mothers and those with newborns should take extra care.”
It’s an off-putting inconvenience for visitors.
But it’s a severe threat for residents. A recent study found New Delhi’s 30 million people faced having 12 years cut off their lives because of the air they must breathe. And several other population centres pose a similar threat.
Now, it’s choking one of their primary sources of income. Tourism.
“As India’s capital and a gateway to many destinations, Delhi plays a crucial role in shaping tourists’ perceptions of the country,” says R Subramanian of India’s Centre for Study of Science, Technology & Policy.
“Unfortunately, the rising air pollution is casting a shadow over the city’s appeal, impacting inbound tour operators and the overall tourism ecosystem.”
Extreme events
“The impact of air pollution on the tourism sector is particularly severe in India’s major cities, such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata,” India’s AQI index provider states.
“These cities are home to many of India’s most popular tourist attractions, but they also have some of the highest levels of air pollution in the world.”
New Delhi is a stark example.
“With smog all around, attractions such as India Gate, Qutub Minar, and Lodhi Gardens become less appealing,” warn the Times of India’s travel pages.
“While these iconic landmarks are some of the places that one must not miss when visiting the city, with the current state of the city, it is safe to say that their charm might be diminished under a blanket of pollution.”
Last month, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 1700 pollutant parts per million air particles. The World Health Organisation judges anything over 50 to be unhealthy.
Schools and public facilities are closed. Office workers are told to stay home.
But the reduced visibility also affects flights in and out of New Delhi’s Indira Gandi International Airport. And major connecting train routes can be closed.
“Travellers should wear high-quality masks when outdoors, stay hydrated, and, if possible, avoid outdoor activities during peak pollution hours (early mornings and evenings),” a local travel advisory warns.
It’s not an appealing scenario.
“Be prepared to cancel some of your travel plans as no tourist attraction is worth risking one’s health,” The Times of India concludes.
Trickle-down effects
“This has caused a lot of negative publicity for the destination in international media,” Travel Corporation India managing director Dipak Deva told travel news service Skift.
“Several foreign tour operators have expressed concern. Air pollution is deterring tourists from visiting India, and it is also causing tourists to shorten their stay.”
While deterring international tourists, Delhi’s toxic smog is encouraging the domestic market.
Travel and accommodation agencies report a steady rise in short-notice bookings from residents seeking an air change.
But India’s AQI index provider notes the extent and duration of the smog is having a much broader impact.
“It can lead to a decline in agricultural productivity, which can make it more difficult for hotels and restaurants to obtain fresh food,” AQI India warns.
India’s government has invested millions in building smog towers to filter pollutants out of New Delhi’s air. In an act of desperation, drones have been deployed this year to spray water mist into the air.
Neither has had any observable impact.
But authorities remain reluctant to impose or enforce pollution controls over industry, transport and agriculture.
Now, government figures reveal fewer than 10 million tourists visited the country last year. This was 10 per cent less than in 2019.
According to a World Bank study, the toxic smog is choking India’s tourism industry to the tune of $2.6 billion each year.
Jamie Seidel is a freelance writer | @jamieseidel.bsky.social
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