World’s best marketed product – United States of America

I have been visiting different places in US for sometime now. More often then not, I find places less exciting/lively/attractive or I should say some disappointing compare to what I have heard, read or seen.

Visit to a palace in North Carolina costs $60 and it is marketed as biggest home in US. Surely Mysore Palace and few palaces in Rajasthan are bigger, better and provide variety then that NC Biltmore Palace.

Terrance of Air India building in Mumbai would give same feeling/view as Empire State Building or Bandra-Worli sea link would provide better view and excitement then Brooklyn Bridge.

Dalal Street/BSE/South Mumbai is more live/active/exciting then Wall Street/Chase/AIG Towers. Just that Wall Street has more taller towers then Dalal Street or South Mumbai. Even dead site of World Trade Center attracts lot of visitors, may be because of some other reason as well!!! Statue of Liberty is just ok nothing out of the world.

The biggest disappointment comes in White House!! Surely Rashatrapati Bhavan, its surroundings are sure shot far better then White House. “Prateeksha”, “Jalsa” or “Mannat” are more exciting then White House.

Every US State has bulk of State Parks (with some fees) with small water falls or gardens or some natural beauty but India and many more countries have much more to offer. Indian States in Northeast, Goa, Kerala and even Gujarat has many places which can provide more variety/excitement.

I have passed through Times Square a dozen times now and fail to understand the magic which that place has created which attracts tourists across the globe!! Of course nice place and atmosphere but not the attraction for which you travel to other country or wonder in -10 C Temperature..!! Just nice lights, ads, flashes and marquees which can be replicated anywhere in the world. A Parle’s (Thums-up, Limca, Gold-Spot, Maaza) 70 yrs history and facts would be as interesting and nice as Coke museum and its 100 yr old history.

Certainly Niagara Falls is amazing and so as some beaches, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Orlando and few other places (that’s what I have been hearing, yet to see some of the places). but certainly many or most of the places in the country are over hyped. I am sure many such places would lead to disappointment of many people..but the hype is still in the air.

So what’s the deal? It’s just pure great marketing of the Country and its places. Not sure by whom and how. May be Govt, few smart people/businessmen,  supported by its economy and power but surely spread by common people. And these places do generate lot of money and employment. Empire State or Biltmore Palace are registered companies which employ 500+ people.

Human mentality and willingness to spend is a factor. Local US people do spend money same as foreign tourists on visiting these places. Indians or any other visitors/tourists will be happy to pay $50-$60 for Niagara Falls or $20-$30 for empire state/Statue of Liberty but same people will not even spend 20-30 Rs (which is about $2-$3 by considering ratio of 10. I always feel 1$ = 10 Rs is the ratio which a person should apply while comparing both the currencies) to visit a place back in India or their hometown and they will criticize Govt for commercialization and taking money from people.

Not only India but many Latin American, Asian or even African countries may/should have many more variety/excitement/attraction but surely I feel US is and will remain best marketed product of the World.