BLOCK 2 : INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM AND ECOTOURISM: …Introduction to Tourism and Ecotourism: Indian...

COURSE 1: INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM

BLOCK 2 : INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM AND

ECOTOURISM: INDIAN CONTEXT

Unit 4 : Evolution of Tourism in India ......................... 3

Unit 5 : History of Tourism in India ................................ 17

Unit 6 : Legal Definitions of Tourism in India ............... 28

National Law University, Delhi

Sector-14, Dwarka, New Delhi-110078

Centre for Environmental Law, WWF-India

172-B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi-110003

November, 2012

© CEL, WWF-India & National Law University Delhi, 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any

form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, mimeography or other electronic or

mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyrighters, except in the case of

brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by

copyright law.

Unit Compilation

Ramya Iyer, CEL, WWF-India

Course Advisor & Editor

Moulika Arabhi , CEL, WWF- India

Proofreading Laser Composition

Neeru, Independent Consultant Tessa Media & Computers, New Delhi

UNIT 4 EVOLUTION OF TOURISM IN INDIA

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Significance of Tourism Industry in India

3. Evolution of the Tourism Sector in India

4. India’s Efforts Towards Strengthening Tourism Network

5. Going Forward-Destination India

6. Summary and Suggestions

1. INTRODUCTION

Tourism is widely considered the most rapidly growing global industry. Way back in 1999,

the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)1 predicted that international tourism industry

is likely to grow at 4 per cent per annum by 2012 and will involve 1 billion visitors touring

internationally every year. This expected growth target has not only been achieved, but also

surpassed by the rapidly growing tourism industry. As per ther World Tourism Organisation

(WTO)2 , tourism is contributing 11.6 per cent of the global gross domestic product.

The World Tourism Organisation forecast indicates that although Europe and America remain

the world’s foremost tourism destinations commanding 77 per cent of the global market

there is also an increasing tourism preference towards East Asia, the Pacific, West Asia and

South Asia. India is also expected to see an influx of 10 Million international tourists by

2012, up from just 5 Million in 2007. Indian outbound tourist flow is also expected to

increase at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.30 per cent over the five-year

period spanning from 2008 to 2012.

India’s share in global tourism was about 1.5 per cent in 20103 . This growth in India’s tourism

market is proving to serve as a boon, driving the growth of several associated industries,

including hotel industry, medical tourism industry and transport & aviation industry. It is

expected that the total market for a specific type of tourism, namely medical tourism will

reach US$ 2 Billion by the end of 2012, representing a CAGR of 60.69 per cent4 .

-3-

1 World Travel and Tourism Council (1999) Travel and Tourism’s Economic Impact. http://www.wttc.org2 World Tourism Organisation (1998). WTO News. January/ February.3 Ministry of Tourism Website, Tourism Facts and Figures, 2010.4 Ministry of Tourism Website, Tourism Facts and Figures, 2010.

Introduction to Tourism and Ecotourism: Indian Context

-4-

India will become the fastest growing economy out of 34 developed and emerging markets

and the world’s third largest economy by 2020. Favourable demographics, increasing

investment in education and infrastructure and further integration with the world economy

are the factors for economic growth. In PPP terms, India’s GDP level will be approximately

40 per cent of that of the United States in 2020, up from 27 per cent in 2002.

India, the world’s sixth largest country, based on GDP in purchasing power parity terms,

and second most populous nation with over 1 billion people, is considered today as one of

the fastest growing economies in the world5 . Sectors like manufacturing, pharmaceuticals,

biotechnology, nanotechnology, telecommunication, shipbuilding, aviation, tourism and

retailing are showing strong potentials with high growth rates.

The difference between travel and tourism

Travel – Travel is an act of journeying, typically of‚ some length‘ and‚ to a place that

is not one’s abode/base’.

A Travel is the same as a journey, tour, trip, voyage, exploration, sightseeing, globe-

trot, backpacking, etc.

One might have to travel for various purposes, including business, pleasure, personal

work, for job, etc. Travel is the integral component of tourism.

The following are required, to make travel possible:

1) Discretionary income, i.e. money to spend on non-essentials.

2) Time in which to do so

3) Infrastructure in the form of accommodation facilities and means of transport.

Individually, sufficient health is also a condition, and of course the inclination to

travel. Furthermore, in some countries there are legal restrictions on travelling,

especially abroad. Communist states restrict foreign travel only to “trustworthy”

citizens. The United States prohibits its citizens from travelling to some countries, for

example, Cuba.

Tourism – In simple terms Tourism is the act of travel for the purposes of leisure,

pleasure or business, and the provision of services for this act. Tourism is commercial

5 CIA World Factbook, India, 2008.

Evolution of Tourism in India

-5-

in nature and involves visits to places of interest. There are two important components

that make up tourism. One is ‘The practice of travelling for pleasure’, and secondly

‘The business of providing tours and services for persons travelling’. To understand

the nuances of the tourism industry, an indepth study of both these components is

essential.

There are four basic services to be provided for Tourists

1) Travel Arrangements

2) Board and Lodging

3) Food

4) Entertainment

2. SIGNIFICANCE OF TOURISM INDUSTRY IN INDIA

In India we see the origin of the concept of Tourism in Sanskrit Literature. The origins of

the words that are most close to tourism has been derived from the root word “Atana”

which means going out. The root word ‘Atana’ further gives us three terms that are most

close to the modern definition of tourism. They are:

• Tirthatana – It means going out and visiting places of religious merit.

• Paryatana – It means going out for pleasure and knowledge.

• Deshatana – It means going out of the country primarily for economic gains.

Out of the three words, Paryatana is the most suited term close to modern day term called

tourism. However, Tirthana and Deshatana also are a part or forms of tourism as understood

today. Religious and Business Tourism are well recognised forms of tourism in modern

times.

India’s economy is diverse, encompassing agriculture, handicrafts, textile, manufacturing,

and a multitude of services. Although two-thirds of the Indian workforce still earn their

livelihood directly or indirectly through agriculture, services are a growing sector and play

an increasingly important role in India’s economy. The advent of the digital age, and the

large number of young and educated populace fluent in English, is gradually transforming

India as an important ‘back office’ destination for global outsourcing of customer services

and technical support.


-6-

The economic transformation over the last few decades is clearly reflected in the GDP

growth of the past years. The GDP is the primary indicator used to gauge the health of a

country’s economy. The GDP of a country is defined as the market value of all final goods

and services produced within a country in a given period of time. It is also considered the

sum of value added at every stage of production of all final goods and services produced

within a country in a given period of time. Over the past many years, tourism industry has

contributed to a great extent to the GDP of the country, forcing the law and policy makers to

rethink the once neglected potential of the ever growing sector.

With this gradual shift in focus, the outlook for the growth of tourism in the region is

promising. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has identified India as one of

the world’s foremost tourist growth centers in the coming decade. After Turkey, India is

expected to achieve the fastest rate of growth of the total amount of economic activity

likely to be generated by travel and tourism, at 9.7 per cent over the next 10 years. Also, the

largest employment creation after China is expected to take place in India over the same

period. The growth in ‘visitor exports’ or spending by international tourists, is likely to be

the fastest in India at 14.3 per cent per annum over the next decade.

India’s history and vivid culture is laid out over the ages and offers a wide array of locations

of interest. There are thousands of monuments and archaeological remains for tourists to

visit and enjoy and a considerable amount of them is listed as world heritage by UNESCO.

Concerning the number of heritage sights, India ranks 7th in the world after Italy, France,

China, Germany and the UK. The variety of architectural styles is vast and provides diverse

chronicles of cultures and history.

The UNESCO World Heritage sites in India are listed as follows:

• Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

• Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

• Basilica of Bom Jesus and other churches of Goa

• Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

• Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, Maharashtra

• Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, Maharashtra

• Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

• Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh


-7-

• Great Living Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu

• Group of Monuments at Hampi, Karnataka

• Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

• Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka

• Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

• Kaziranga National Park, Assam

• Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

• Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh

• Konark Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa

• Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya, Bihar

• Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

• Mountain Railways of India, Darjeeling, West Bengal

• Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttaranchal

• Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Tamil Nadu

• Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi

• Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh

• Red Fort, Delhi

• Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

• Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

• Western Ghats, Western Peninsular Region

India has some of the best beaches in the world and many of which still remain unexplored,

such as the ones in Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. It is home to some rare

species in the biogeographical realm and has more than 70 National Parks and about 400

wildlife sanctuaries with countless varieties of flora and fauna.

The geographical diversity of India provides opportunities for outdoor and adventure sports

activities, with something for all tastes and interests and every level of experience. Major

adventure tourism activities range from water rafting, rappling, para-gliding, trekking and

skiing in the Himalayas, river running along the Ganges, water sports in Goa, trout fishing

in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, heli-skiing in Himachal Pradesh, and wind surfing,

scuba diving and yachting in the Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands.


-8-

The lifestyles of Indian people are varied and display a cultural uniqueness. Local and

national fares and festivals are full of colour and spectacle. Important fairs and festivals

include the Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan, the Crafts Mela at Surajkund, Holi in North India,

Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Onam in Kerala, Baisakhi in Punjab, Bihu in Assam and dance

festivals at Khajuraho and Mamallapuram. Each region also has its own culinary specialty

and the recipes are written with expertise and beautifully represented in extensive literature.

Thousands of restaurants offer samples of exotic food to suit all tastes. Handicrafts from all

over India that can be found in shopping plazas, specialty stores, shops and on streets bazaars

are world famous.

Tourism is emerging as a key sector in the Indian economy, where it has become the third

largest source of foreign exchange, after ready-made garments and gems & jewellery.

Another significant feature of the tourism industry is its capacity to generate large-scale

employment opportunities. The first ever Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA) for India

compiled by NCAER for the year 2002-03 showed that tourism employed 38.8 million

people, directly and indirectly, which was 8.3% of the total employment in the country and

contributed 5.8 per cent of the GDP. We shall deal with TSAs in depth in the next unit.

Various studies have also shown that tourism generates the highest employment per unit of

investment for the skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled and offers employment to a large

numbers of women and young members of the workforce. Most job opportunities come

from airlines, hotels, travel agencies, handicrafts and cultural and other tourism-related

activities.

Tourism has a very positive capital-labour ratio. An investment of one million rupees would

create 89 jobs in the hotel and restaurant industry, compared to 44.7 jobs in agriculture and

12.6 jobs in manufacturing industries. The average for the whole tourism industry is 47.5

jobs for an investment of one million rupees.

Indian tourism industry also contributes to national integration and transformation of the

economic lives of the people. Over 380 million domestic tourists, travelling allover the

country each year, help create a better understanding of people living in other regions of the

country and the cultural diversity. Tourism also gives a incentive to preserve architectural

heritages and helps the survival of art forms, crafts and culture.

Sensing the importance of the sector, Indian Government has invested abundantly in the

past for infrastructure development. It has been partially successful with increase in foreign

tourist arrivals over the last decade, courtesy “Incredible India Campaign”. Infrastructure

in the hospitality sector is still a matter of concern amongst other factors like season-based

tourism in some states.


-9-

3. EVOLUTION OF THE TOURISM SECTOR IN INDIA

Indian tourism sector is one of the most crucial sectors of the economy in the country. It is

not only a significant contributor to GDP and foreign exchange reserve of the country, but

also it provides widespread employment. The tourism industry in India is substantial and

vibrant, and the country is fast becoming a major global destination. India’s travel and

tourism industry is one of them most profitable industries in the country, and also credited

with contributing a substantial amount of foreign exchange. This is illustrated by the fact

that during 2006, four million tourists visited India and spent US $8.9 billion.

India’s tourism industry is experiencing a strong period of growth, driven by the burgeoning

Indian middle class, growth in high spending foreign tourists, and coordinated government

campaigns to promote ‘Incredible India’.

Several reasons are cited for the growth and prosperity of India’s travel and tourism industry.

Economic growth has added millions annually to the ranks of India’s middle class, a

group that is driving domestic tourism growth. Disposable income in India has grown by

10.11 per cent annually from 2001-2006, and much of that is being spent on travel.

Thanks in part to its booming IT and outsourcing industry a growing number of business

trips are made by foreigners to India, who will often add a weekend break or longer holiday

to their trip. Foreign tourists spend more in India than almost any other country worldwide.

Tourist arrivals are projected to increase by over 22 per cent per year through till 2010, with

a 33 per cent increase in foreign exchange earnings recorded in 2004.

Both directly and indirectly, increased tourism in India has created jobs in a variety of

related sectors. The numbers tell the story: almost 20 million people are now working in the

India’s tourism industry.

India’s governmental bodies have also made a significant impact in tourism by requiring

that each and every state of India have a corporation to administer support issues related to

tourism.

A new growth sector is medical tourism. It is currently growing at around 30 per cent per

annum. Medical tourist arrivals are expected to reach one million soon.

Medical tourism in Asia, plastic surgery in particular, has grown rapidly. Medical tourism is

approaching fever pitch at the tune of $4 Billion US, fueled largely by the cosmetic surgery

market. One of the problems India has, despite having some world-class hospitals, is

sanitation.


-10-

The tourism industry of India is based on certain core nationalistic ideals and standards

which are:

• Swaagat or welcome,

• Sahyog or cooperation,

• Soochanaa or information,

• Sanrachanaa or infrastructure,

• Suvidha or facilitation,

• Safaai or cleanliness and

• Surakshaa or security

4. INDIA’S EFFORTS TOWARDS STRENGTHENING TOURISM

NETWORK

Some major international events like 9/11, US-led war against terror and SARS hit the

tourism industry over the past few years. Cutting down of routes by domestic airlines and

increase in airfares over the past few years also led to a fall in the movement of people in the

country. The Mumbai terror attacks, targetting two premium hotels, also tarnished the

country’s reputation, drastically reducing hotel occupancy levels, and affecting year-end

travel. The adverse travel advisories by many countries to their citizens too contributed to a

significant slowdown in tourism in India.

There were other negatives too. Travel and stay in India is becoming costlier day by day.

Consider this- Expenses per night of stay for a tourist in India during the recession period

was about $100 whereas it was around $35-40 in other South-east Asian countries. This

hurt Indian tourism. Though this discrepancy has come down since, still there is some gap.

Some of the reasons for this are high luxury and entertainment taxes and high landing

charges applicable in Indian airports.

Costs are also high because tourism is a state subject. Each state separately spends on

tourism and tourism related activities, whereas if these funds were spent in a cohesive

manner by a nodal agency to showcase the entire country as one destination, the results

would probably have been far more spectacular. Currently, the center is only allocating

finances for tourism projects. But the government is trying to convince states on the benefits

of bringing tourism under the aegis of the Central government on to the concurrent subject

on to the concurrent list.


-11-

Government Policy Initiatives - Keenly aware of the unfolding boom in the tourism industry,

the government is lending a hand to the growth of the industry. In the Union Budget for

2003-04, government had extended infrastructure status to tourism, thus opening the doors

to cheap, long-term funds to help finance tourism infrastructure.

The outlay for tourism development was Rs. 8 crore in the third plan Rs. 186.46 crores in

the sixth plan and Rs. 326.16 crores in the seventh plan. It was during the sixth plan that a

tourism policy was formulated and presented before the parliament. The sixth plan is an

objective envisages optimum use of infrastructure, regionalising tourist traffic and increase

in accommodation and so on. However, the plan turned out to be a very mere blue print for

action for tourist development.

The seventh plan (1985-1990) set a target of 1.5 million tourist arrival by 1990 and 3 million

by 2000 AD. It also recommended according industry status to tourism in order to encourage

private sector investment in tourism. It was also recommended that public sector would

focus on basic infrastructure development, and the private sector would be in encouraged to

develop tourism. For the first time domestic tourism was sought to be encouraged for

promoting social and cultural cohesion and employment generation.

The national committee on tourism presented a comprehensive report in 1988, which provided

the basis of a long-term perspective plan for tourism in the country. The committee set a

growth rate of 7 per cent per annual for international tourists arrivals by 2000 AD.

Recommendations also included the following:

1) Set a tourism finance cooperation to extend financial assistance for tourism project.

2) Developments of select tourist destination and circuits diversification of tourism arrival

of cultural destination to the leisure and holiday tourist.

3) Markets, exploration and development of new tourism generating center.

4) Increase the hotel accommodation by cent per cent by stimulation investment through

appropriate package of incentives.

The committees major recommendation expects that of setting up a national tourism board

wherein accepted. In April 1989, the tourism finance cooperation of India was set up. A

working group of the state tourism secretaries in July 1985 identify incentives for the industry.

About 14 States and 3 Union Territories have declared tourism as an industry however,

despite the efforts during the seventh plan for diversification of tourists for cultural

destinations to the leisure and holiday destination, India still remains as a cultural destination.


-12-

Budget outlays where diverted towards facilitating trekking development of beach resorts,

building shopping plazas, wildlife tourism, facilities for conference is skiing etc. It is reported

that the profile of the average overseas and domestic traveller is changing. In the current

plan period as well one of the principal thrust areas would be modification of the Indian

tourism product by adding the concept of India as an adventure and leisure tourism destination

to the present cultural tag. Trekking, winter and water sports wild life and health tourism

will remain as the major thrust areas in the forth-coming area.

Outlay for tourism for the Tenth Five Year Plan is Rs. 2900 Crore. For the financial year

2003-04 the outlay is Rs. 325 crore. This is up sharply from Rs. 150 crore allocated in the

previous financial year. State governments such as Kerala lay a lot of stress on boosting

tourism. The state has an outlay of Rs. 74.25 crore for the financial year 2003-04.

The Government of India has extended the benefits of Section 10(23G) of the Income Tax

Act, 1961 to institutions financing hotels of three-star category and above. The divestment

of government’s stake in government run hotels is another step in the right direction.

Professionals are increasingly stepping in to take over this service-oriented industry. Global

best practices, cost cuts and service with a smile are fast turning a norm.

The Working Group on Tourism for Twelfth Five Year Plan, set up by the Planning

Commission, has recommended a target growth in domestic tourism of about 12 per cent

per annum during the Twelfth Plan. The Working Group has also recommended to increase

India’s share of International Tourists Arrivals to at least 1 per cent by the end of 12th Plan

– requiring an annual growth of about 12 per cent.

Government is taking up a lot of efforts at policy level in promoting both domestic and in-

bound tourism. To increase the foreign tourist arrivals, the Ministry of Tourism, as part of

its on-going activities, releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the

international and domestic markets, under the Incredible India brand-line, to promote various

tourism destinations and products of the country. In addition, a series of promotional activities

are undertaken in important and potential tourist generating markets overseas through the

Indiatourism Offices abroad with the objective of showcasing India’s tourism potential.

These promotional activities include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising

road shows, Know India seminars and workshops; organizing and supporting Indian food

and cultural festivals; publication of brochures; offering joint advertising and brochure

support and inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion makers to visit the

country under the Hospitality Programme of the Ministry.

Development and promotion of tourism, including providing facilities to tourists, are

primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.


-13-

However, Ministry of Tourism provides central financial assistance to the States/Union

Territories for these activities on the basis of proposals received from them as per the Scheme

Guidelines, inter-se priority and subject to availability of funds.

Efforts made by Ministry of Tourism for improving the facilities for foreign and domestic

tourists include, creation/upgradation of tourism infrastructure, wayside amenities, providing

last mile connectivity, increasing the availability of budget accommodation and trained

manpower, etc.

For undertaking various activities relating to the development and promotion of tourism,

the Working Group of Planning Commission has also recommended total outlay of

Rs. 22800 Crore for tourism sector during Twelfth Plan.

5. GOING FORWARD-DESTINATION INDIA

The Indian tourism industry has not had it so good since the early 1990s. Though the Indian

economy had slowed, it was still growing faster than the rest of the world. In 2009, the

country is seen rising 6.5 per cent, compared to the world output, which is seen falling 0.4

per cent. With Indian economy growing at around 7 per cent per annum and rise in disposable

incomes of Indians, an increasing number of people are going on holiday trips within the

country and abroad resulting in the tourism industry growing wings.

India is probably the only country that offers various categories of tourism. These include

history tourism, adventure tourism, medical tourism (ayurveda and other forms of Indian

medications), spiritual tourism, beach tourism (India has the longest coastline in the East)

etc. India is now chalking up one of its strongest growth charts in a long time. As the Indian

economy continues to open up in an effort to integrate with the world economy, benefits of

doing business with and in India are increasing. With the results, hundreds of thousands of

jobs are moving to the Indian shores from the West. This brings in its wake transit travellers,

business travellers, business meets and holiday seekers.

This is resulting in greater room occupancies and Average Room Revenues (ARRs) in the

country. ARRs have moved up from Rs. 3200-3400 from 2010 to Rs 4000-4200 in 2012.

Room occupancy rates have shot up from 75-80 per cent in 2002 to over 90 per cent now.

Infact, in Bangalore it is now estimated at 100 per cent.

It is fast turning into a volume game where an ever-burgeoning number of participants are

pushing up revenues of industry players (hotels, tour operators, airlines, shipping lines,

etc). Thus, the tourism sector is expected to perform very well in future and the industry

offers an interesting investment opportunity for long-term investors. There were 73,793


-14-

hotel rooms in the pipeline in late 2000s of which 11,207 were opened in 2009 and 22,522

in 2010, in India6 .

The Indian tourism sector is expected to generate $42.8 billion by 2017, a 42 per cent surge

from 20077 . Despite the challenges being faced in terms of a slowing economy, sluggish

demand and security concerns, the country is fighting back and tourism developments are

rapidly taking place. According to a report of a private consultancy firm8 , it was said that,

“Although there will inevitably be some short- to medium-term set backs, the long-term

outlook remains positive. Despite the deepening world economic crisis, India’s economy

remains in decent shape and is still experiencing some of the strongest growth rates in the

world”.

Despite the numerous problems, tourism industry was the second-largest foreign exchange

earner for India. Realising the potential in India, international and domestic hotel chains are

rushing to cash in on it.

International tourists account for a little over 5 million visitors, while domestic market is

seen at more than 500 million. Limited infrastructure pose a constraint to the free flow of

tourists, but the Indian government is addressing the issue through upgradation of existing

airports and building new ones.

Medical tourism was poised for rapid development in the future and India is busy developing

first-class facilities to attract this multi-billion dollar niche market. The government has

already relaxed the criteria to receive a visa for medical tourism.

It is also considering other incentives such as offering air travel and accommodation for

foreign tourists who visit India for the third time. It may also pick up the bill for tour

operators promoting domestic and medical tourism and is mulling income tax exemption

for hoteliers if they invest 50 per cent of profits into infrastructure.

Tourist arrivals in the country slowed throughout 2008, after rising 13 per cent year-on-year

from 2005-2007, due to a slowdown in the main source markets for India, the U.S. and

U.K., which account for more than 15 per cent of all inbound tourists. However, it has

picked up ever since.

6 Lodging Econometrics, a leading global authority in real estate.

7 According to an industry research note by auditing and consulting firm Deloitte Touche.

8 Deloitte Touche.


-15-

6. SUMMARY AND SUGGESTIONS

Growth in income levels in most developing nations and more idle cash with citizens of

developed nations has increased tourism all over the world. There have been more people

coming into the country with more cash than ever before. International tourists as well as

domestic tourists have grown with time. India has witnessed an amazing rise in the number

of people travelling by air in the last decade. Luxury hotels have witnessed a spurt of tourists

preferring to stay.

Government is the backbone of the entire tourism industry and should support the private

players. Government charges high rates of taxes on the luxury and the star category hotels.

A luxury tax of 10 per cent followed by VAT and other service taxes of approx. 10 per cent

(on food, beverages, etc.) makes hotel business in India very costly.

Since the political environment is not conducive, Kashmir and North-East have suffered

from tourism revenue despite the high potential they possess. After years, government decided

to privatise airports and now India can boast of good airports like IGI, Delhi and Rajiv

Gandhi International at Hyderabad.

In many places, a tourist destination has been famous for a niche area of tourism, which has

many a times been both a boon and a curse for the area. For instance, from the late 60s to the

early 80s when the Hippy culture was at its height, Goa was a heaven for such hippies. This

had a ripple effect on the country. People became cautious, especially of the international

tourists.

However some places such as Kerala and Rajasthan have been able to strike a balance

between their own culture and the demands of the international tourists and have profited

handsomely in the bargain. People themselves have started travelling and are willing to

travel to a place that is out of the way and exotic. Now places like Leh and Lakshwadeep are

mentioned in the same breath as Goa or Kashmir.

With respect to taxation, the World Travel and Tourism Council has observed that “Tax

paid by tourists in India is the highest in the world. Indian hotels charge about 40 per cent

tax compared to other Asian countries where it varies between 3 per cent and 6 per cent”.

Further, there is considerable disparity between state level taxes, especially on food and

beverages. Sales tax on imported beverages stands at 63 per cent in Karnataka and 28 per

cent in West Bengal.

India is currently in a position where it can make a cash cow out of selling customised

experiences, luxury spa sessions, rare animal sanctuaries, religious pilgrimage tours and

extreme Himalaya tours.


-16-

With too many points of differentiation, Indian tourism should focus on how it has something

on offer for everyone in every category and in all budgets. effective communication will

bring much desried results which is required by the tourism industry. The way information

is packaged and distributed can go a long way in improving tourist traffic in the country,

Although the government has already started making a lot of improvements in this area,

there still is a long way to go to let tourism alone generate significant revenue for the

country.

We need to capitalise on India as a destination where the royal Bengal tiger, a common

labourer, a few millionaires, religious dichotomies, exotic culinary treasures and some of

the most expensive spas of the world co-exist. That is the real challenge.


-17-

UNIT 5 HISTORY OF TOURISM IN INDIA

Contents

1. Introduction

2. History of World Tourism

3. History of Tourism in India

4. Tourism Statistics

5. Summary

1. INTRODUCTION

Tourism is important, and in some cases, vital for many countries. It was recognised in the

Manila Declaration on World Tourism of 1980 as “an activity essential to the life of nations

because of its direct effects on the social, cultural, educational and economic sectors of

national societies and on their international relations.”1 Tourism brings in large amounts of

income in payment for goods and services available, accounting for 30 per cent of the

world’s exports of services, and 6 per cent of overall exports of goods and services.2 It also

creates opportunities for employment in the service sector of the economy, associated with

tourism.

These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and

taxicabs; hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts; and

entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, music venues

and theatres.

Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. In 2011, there were over 983 million

international tourist arrivals worldwide, representing a growth of 4.6 per cent when compared

to 940 million in 2010. In 2011, international travel demand continued to recover from the

losses resulting from the late-2000s recession, where tourism suffered a strong slowdown

from the second half of 2008 through the end of 2009. After a 5 per cent increase in the first

half of 2008, growth in international tourist arrivals moved into negative territory in the

second half of 2008, and ended up only 2 per cent for the year, compared to a 7 per cent

1 “Manila Declaration on World Tourism”, World Tourism Conference, Manila, Philippines, 10 October 1980.2 UNWTO Report, June 2012.3 “International tourism challenged by deteriorating global economy”, UNWTO World Tourism Barometer

(World Tourism Organisation), January 2009.


-18-

increase in 2007.3 The negative trend intensified during 2009, exacerbated in some countries

due to the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus, resulting in a worldwide decline of 4.2 per

cent in 2009 to 880 million international tourists arrivals, and a 5.7 per cent decline in

international tourism receipts.4

2. HISTORY OF WORLD TOURISM

Tourism can be recognised as long as people have travelled; the narrative of Marco Polo in

the 13th century; the “grand tour” of the British aristocracy to Europe in the 18th century;

and the journeys of David Livingstone through Africa in the 19th century are all examples

of early tourism.

The history of tourism was for a long time the history of European tourism, the assumption

being that tourism was most developed in Europe. However, there emerged a school of

historians which integrated economics, statistics, scientific methodology, anthropology and

sociology to develop an interdisciplinary approach to the history of tourism. Yet, their

methodology was limited in time as the statistical study of tourism is of recent origin.

However, they have identified sources that can be used to reconstruct the history of a period

for which the statistical basis may not exist. As a result we can apply this method to develop

the history of tourism on a global as well as national scale.

In early history we have archaeological evidence of inns, hotels, villas and transport but

such information is fragmentary and often covering periods of thousands of years. Moreover,

inter-disciplinary information was not always available in all periods and in all countries.

For example, the French pioneered the history of tourism but looked only at the holiday

pattern of the aristocracy. The British looked at key events and factors like standard of

living, free time, cheap transport, spas and sea-side resorts and linked them to growth of

industry, labour force, social legislation and local customs. But today we look at tourism as

a system. In this the physical, economic, technical, environmental, socio-political and cultural

factors are studied to understand the links between the past and the present.

The history of tourism has made an important breakthrough in two areas:

1) Identification of sources of data.

2) Use of both written and oral history.

4 “UNWTO World Tourism Barometer Interim Update”, UNWTO World Tourism Barometer (World Tourism

Organisation), August 2010.


-19-

Based on several sources, Thomas Cook is popularly regarded as the founder of inclusive

tours with his use of a chartered train in 1841 to transport tourists from Loughborough to

Leicester. Before the 1950s, tourism in Europe was mainly a domestic activity with some

international travel between countries, mainly within continental Europe.

In the period of recovery following World War II, a combination of circumstances provided

an impetus to international travel. Among the important contributing factors were the growing

number of people in employment, the increase in real disposable incomes and available

leisure time, and changing social attitudes towards leisure and work. These factors combined

to stimulate the latent demand for foreign travel and holidays.

The emergence of specialist tour operators who organised inclusive holidays by purchasing

transport, accommodation, and related services and selling these at a single price, brought

foreign holidays within the price-range of a new and growing group of consumers. The

“package” or “inclusive” tour democratised travel in Europe; foreign holidays were no

longer the preserve of the affluent and socially elite classes.

With the passage of time the class of people involved in tourism have changed. As tourism

becomes more democratised the nature of the facilities also become more standardised if

not universal. Using the concept of the emergence of the Leisure class, to distinguish tourism

from other forms of travel, we can establish six periods in the history of tourism.

1) Ancient Era

2) Imperial Era

3) Pilgrimage

4) The Grand Tour Era

5) The Transition Era

6) The Modem Era

Travel is the result of human curiosity. It has emerged due to human value of new experience

and the transformation of travel from survival to an improvement in the quality of life. This

includes:

a) Curiosity - moving from the known to the unknown.

b) Anticipation - What you hope to find, see and do. To look for something and evaluate

every new experience.

c) Leaving a mark for Posterity - What the world offers and why you have experienced.


-20-

The word ‘holiday’ has two sources:

a) Religious – Religious tours or pilgrimage has been an essential tradition of Indian

culture. In Europe, a day was set aside, at the end of a work cycle, for religious rituals

and this day was called a Holy day. In time, saints days and certain other observances

were added to the number of holidays when no work was done and everyone celebrated.

b) Secular - The secular tradition was a part of the Imperial system when the state granted

public holidays to celebrate Imperial glory. On these holidays no work was done and

the people participated in feasting and fun. Public games and spectator sports were the

highlights on such occasions.

In time, the religious and secular combined and the day of rest became a part of all societies.

Travel for trade was another important feature since the beginning of civilisation. The port

at Lothal was an important centre of trade between the Indus valley civilisation and the

Sumerian civilisation.

600 BC and thereafter

The earliest form of leisure tourism can be traced as far back as the Babylonian and Egyptian

empires. A museum of historic antiquities was open to the public in Babylon. The Egyptians

held many religious festivals that attracted the devout and many people who thronged to

cities to see famous works of arts and buildings.

In India, as elsewhere, kings travelled for empire building. The Brahmins and the common

people travelled for religious purposes. Thousands of Brahmins and the common folk

thronged Sarnath and Sravasti to be greeted by the inscrutable smile of the Enlightened

One- the Buddha.

500 BC, the Greek civilisation

The Greek tourists travelled to sites of healing gods. The Greeks also enjoyed their religious

festivals that increasingly became a pursuit of pleasure, and in particular, sport. Athens had

become an important site for travellers visiting the major sights such as the Parthenon. Inns

were established in large towns and seaports to provide for travellers’ needs. Courtesans

were the principal entertainment offered.

This era also saw the birth of travel writing. Herodotus was the worlds’ first travel writer.

Guidebooks also made their appearance in the fourth century covering destinations such as

Athens, Sparta and Troy. Advertisements in the way of signs directing people to inns are

also known in this period.

History of Tourism in India

-21-

The Roman Empire

With no foreign borders between England and Syria, and with safe seas from piracy due to

Roman patrols, the conditions favouring travel had arrived. First class roads coupled with

staging inns (precursors of modern motels) promoted the growth of travel. Romans travelled

to Sicily, Greece, Rhodes, Troy and Egypt. From 300 AD travel to the Holy Land also

became very popular. The Romans introduced their guidebooks (itineraria), listing hotels

with symbols to identify quality.

Second homes were built by the rich near Rome, occupied primarily during springtime

social season. The most fashionable resorts were found around Bay of Naples. Naples

attracted the retired and the intellectuals, Cumae attracted the fashionable while Baiae

attracted the down market tourist, becoming noted for its rowdiness, drunkenness and all-

night singing.

Travel and Tourism were to never attain a similar status until the modern times.

In the Middle Ages

Travel became difficult and dangerous as people travelled for business or for a sense of

obligation and duty.

Adventurers sought fame and fortune through travel. The Europeans tried to discover a sea

route to India for trade purposes and in this fashion discovered America and explored parts

of Africa. Strolling players and minstrels made their living by performing as they travelled.

Missionaries, saints, etc. travelled to spread the sacred word.

The Grand Tour

From the early seventeenth century, a new form of tourism was developed as a direct outcome

of the Renaissance. Under the reign of Elizabeth 1, young men seeking positions at court

were encouraged to travel to continent to finish their education. Later, it became customary

for education of gentleman to be completed by a ‘Grand Tour’ accompanied by a tutor and

lasting for three or more years. While ostensibly educational, the pleasure seeking men

travelled to enjoy life and culture of Paris, Venice or Florence. By the end of eighteenth

century, the custom had become institutionalised in the gentry. Gradually pleasure travel

displaced educational travel. The advent of Napoleonic wars inhibited travel for around 30

years and led to the decline of the custom of the Grand Tour.

The Development of the Spas

The spas grew in popularity in the seventeenth century in Britain and a little later in the

European Continent as awareness about the therapeutic qualities of mineral water increased.


-22-

Taking the cure in the spa rapidly acquired the nature of a status symbol. The resorts changed

in character as pleasure became the motivation of visits. They became an important centre

of social life for the high society.

In the nineteenth century they were gradually replaced by the seaside resort.

The Sun, Sand and Sea Resorts

The sea water became associated with health benefits. The earliest visitors therefore drank

it and did not bathe in it. By the early eighteenth century, small fishing resorts sprung up in

England for visitors who drank and immersed themselves in sea water. With the overcrowding

of inland spas, the new seaside resorts grew in popularity. The introduction of steamboat

services in 19th century introduced more resorts in the circuit. The seaside resort gradually

became a social meeting point.

Role of the Industrial Revolution in Promoting Travel in the West

The rapid urbanisation due to industrialisation led to mass immigration in cities. These

people were lured into travel to escape their environment to places of natural beauty, often

to the countryside they had come from change of routine from a physically and

psychologically stressful jobs to a leisurely pace in countryside.

Highlights of Travel in the Nineteenth Century

• Advent of railway initially catalysed business travel and later leisure travel. Gradually

special trains were chartered to only take leisure travel to their destinations.

• Package tours organised by entrepreneurs such as Thomas Cook.

• The European countries indulged in a lot of business travel often to their colonies to

buy raw material and sell finished goods.

• The invention of photography acted as a status-enhancing tool and promoted overseas

travel.

• The formation of first hotel chains; pioneered by the railway companies who established

great railway terminus hotels.

• Seaside resorts began to develop different images as for day-trippers, elite, for gambling.

• Other types of destinations-ski resorts, hill stations, mountaineering spots etc.

• The technological development in steamships promoted travel between North America

and Europe.

• The Suez Canal opened direct sea routes to India and the Far East.

• The cult of the guidebook followed the development of photography.


-23-

Tourism in the Twentieth Century

The First World War gave first hand experience of countries and aroused a sense of curiosity

about international travel among less well off sector for the first time. The large scale of

migration to the US meant a lot of travel across the Atlantic. Private motoring began to

encourage domestic travel in Europe and the west. The seaside resort became annual family

holiday destination in Britain and increased in popularity in other countries of the west.

Hotels proliferated in these destinations.

The Birth of Air Travel and After

The wars increased interest in international travel. This interest was given the shape of

mass tourism by the aviation industry. The surplus of aircraft and growth of private airlines

aided the expansion of air travel. The aircraft had become comfortable, faster and steadily

cheaper for overseas travel. With the introduction of Boeing 707 Jet in 1958, the age of air

travel for the masses had arrived. The beginning of chartered flights boosted the package

tour market and led to the establishment of organised mass tourism. The Boeing 747, a 400

seat craft, brought the cost of travel down sharply. The seaside resorts in the Mediterranean,

North Africa and the Caribbean were the initial hot spots of mass tourism.

A corresponding growth in hotel industry led to the establishment of world-wide chains.

Tourism also began to diversify as people began to flock alternative destinations in the 70s.

Nepal and India received a throng of tourists lured by Hare Krishna movement and

transcendental meditation. The beginning of individual travel in a significant volume only

occurred in the 80s. Air travel also led to a continuous growth in business travel especially

with the emergence of the MNCs.

3. HISTORY OF TOURISM IN INDIA

‘Charaibate’ is a Sanskrit word used in Upanishads, that means to go on moving and this

more than any other thing explains that tourism is deep rooted in the Indian system.

During Chandragupta Maurya’s time we hear of tourists like Megasthenes, Hieun Tsang or

later Iban Batuta undertaking long tours of Buddhist pilgrimage centers or visiting places

like Nalanda University in Takshila.

In the early days pilgrimages or pilgrim travel assumed great importance. Ashoka the Great,

travelled a great deal in his eagerness to spread the doctrines of Buddha. Throughout his

travels, from Pataliputra to Lumbini and finally to Gaya, Emperor Ashoka had special

memorials set up at each spot as well as rest houses where travellers could rest.


-24-

Since ancient times, rest houses, water pumps and free food stoppages were built for travellers

which was sponsered by the state itself. Trees were planted along the roads so that the

traveller was protected from the harsh sun. Temples used to provide food water and shade

to all travellers. In medieval India, number of monasteries were also built for the pilgrims.

This shows that travel facilities were very good and travel was not a cumbersome experience.

At this time the Buddhist Saga established the tradition of pilgrimage, where monks went

from village to village preaching the value of the middle path.

Some of the first foreign visitors to India were perhaps the Persians. There is evidence of

caravans of the Persians coming to India, in the inscriptions dating back to the rein of the

Persian king, Darius. There is also reference to trade, commerce and cultural exchanges

between Persia and India. One of the most important developments of this era, owing to the

emergence of trade and commerce, was the emergence of communication and

accommodation. When Alexander the Great reached India, it is said that he found good

roads which were well-maintained and covered with shady trees.

The Arthashastra also reveals the importance of the travel infrastructure for the state,

classification of routes and types of vehicles. This is an indication that there was a well-

developed mode of travel in India, for the military, the commercial traveller as well as the

civilian. All this was under state protection.

Travelling for pleasure on the rivers and to the hills was a tradition started by the royal

courts. However such movements attracted all those who had business at the court to move

with it. During the rule of the Mughals, the emperors travelled extensively and contributed

to the development of the resorts.

Leisure travel in India was introduced by the Mughals. The Mughal kings built luxurious

palaces and enchanting gardens at places of natural and scenic beauty for example, Jehangir

travelled to Kashmir drawn by its beauty. Travel for empire building and pilgrimage was a

regular feature.

With the fall of the great empires, there was a setback in trade and commerce. This reduced

the mobility of the people with the exception of the pilgrims. The seaside resorts, hill stations

and spas which were then centers of recreation and pleasure, were hardly ever used by the

early medieval period.

Over the years, however the scenario changed and the complex character of tourism emerged.

The growth of modern technology, rising incomes and improved facilities contributed to

the emergence of modern tourism.


-25-

4. TOURISM STATISTICS

In 2011, there were 983 million international tourist arrivals, with a growth of 4.6 per cent

as compared to 2010.

The World Tourism Organization reports the following ten countries as the most visited in

terms of the number of international travellers. The below table represents maximum number

of international tourists in different countries.

Table 1: Top 10 Countries with Maximum International Tourist Arrival5

Rank Country UNWTO International International Change

Region Tourist Tourist 2010

Arrivals Arrivals to 2011

(2011) (2010)

1 France Europe 79.5 million 77.1 million +3.0%

2 United States North 62.3 million 59.8 million +4.2%

America

3 China Asia 57.6 million 55.7 million +3.4%

4 Spain Europe 56.7 million 52.7 million +7.6%

5 Italy Europe 46.1 million 43.6 million +5.7%

6 Turkey Europe 29.3 million 27.0 million +8.7%

7 United Kingdom Europe 29.2 million 28.3 million +3.2%

8 Germany Europe 28.4 million 26.9 million +5.5%

9 Malaysia Asia 24.7 million 24.6 million +0.6%

10 Mexico North 23.4 million 23.3 million +0.5%

America

In terms of international revenue receipts earned from tourism, the fore-runner is United

States. International tourism receipts grew to US$1.03 trillion in 2011, corresponding to an

increase in real terms of 3.8 per cent from 2010. The World Tourism Organisation reports

the following countries as the top ten tourism earners for the year 2011, with the United

States by far the top earner.

5 ‘UNWTO Tourism Highlights, 2012 Edition’, UNWTO Report, June 2012, p 4.


-26-

Table 2: Top 10 Tourism Earners6

Rank Country UNWTO International

Region Tourism Receipts (2011)

1 United States North America $116.3 billion

2 Spain Europe $59.9 billion

3 France Europe $53.8 billion

4 China Asia $48.5 billion

5 Italy Europe $43.0 billion

6 Germany Europe $38.8 billion

7 United Kingdom Europe $35.9 billion

8 Australia Oceania $31.4 billion

9 India Asia $27.8 billion

10 Hong Kong (China) Asia $27.2 billion

The World Tourism Organisation reports the following countries as the top ten biggest

spenders on international tourism for the year 2011.

Table 3: Top 10 Tourism Spenders7

Rank Country UNWTO International Tourism

Region Expenditure (2011)

1 Germany Europe $84.3 billion

2 United States North America $79.1 billion

3 China Asia $72.6 billion

4 United Kingdom Europe $50.6 billion

5 France Europe $41.7 billion

6 Canada North America $33.0 billion

7 Russia Europe $32.5 billion

8 Italy Europe $28.7 billion

9 Japan Asia $27.2 billion

10 Australia Oceania $26.9 billion




-27-

5. SUMMARY

Leisure travel was associated with the Industrial Revolution in the United Kingdom – the

first European country to promote leisure time to the increasing industrial population. Initially,

this applied to the owners of the machinery of production, the economic oligarchy, the

factory owners and the traders. These comprised the new middle class. Cox & Kings was

the first official travel company to be formed in 1758.

The British origin of this new industry is reflected in many place names. In Nice, France,

one of the first and best-established holiday resorts on the French Riviera, the long esplanade

along the seafront is known to this day as the Promenade des Anglais; in many other historic

resorts in continental Europe, old, well-established palace hotels have names like the Hotel

Bristol, the Hotel Carlton or the Hotel Majestic – reflecting the dominance of English

customers.

Many leisure-oriented tourists travel to the tropics, both in the summer and winter. Places

of such nature often visited are: Bali in Indonesia, Colombia, Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican

Republic, Malaysia, Mexico the various Polynesian tropical islands, Queensland in Australia,

Thailand, Saint-Tropez and Cannes in France, Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico in the United

States, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St.Lucia

Saint Maarten, St. Martin’s Island in Bangladesh, Saint Kitts and Nevis, The Bahamas,

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda.

There has been an up-trend in tourism over the last few decades, especially in Europe,

where international travel for short breaks is common. Tourists have a wide range of budgets

and tastes, and a wide variety of resorts and hotels have developed to cater for them. For

example, some people prefer simple beach vacations, while others want more specialised

holidays, quieter resorts, family-oriented holidays or niche market-targeted destination hotels.

The developments in technology and transport infrastructure, such as jumbo jets, low-cost

airlines and more accessible airports have made many types of tourism more affordable.


-28-

UNIT 6 LEGAL DEFINITIONS OF TOURISM IN INDIA

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Meaning of Tourism

3. Definition of Tourism as per Manila Declaration

4. Accepted Legal Definitions of Tourism

5. Objectives of Definitions

1. INTRODUCTION

Earlier travel was essentially to seek food or to escape danger. Travel was also undertaken

for trade. Growth of cities along fertile river banks like Nile etc encouraged water travel.

Ancient empires like the Romans helped shape modern travel.

The Egyptians and Indus valley civilisations were at their peak the travel for business and

pleasure in ancient era. Travel to outlining cities was necessary. Various amenities were

offered to travellers. They travelled for pleasure and festivals were held every year. People

used to travel to attend these festivals.

The Persians started travel initially for military use. Later facilties earlier used for military

were transformed to facilitate travel. Roads were built, markers were established to indicate

distances. Safety of travellers was given importance. Modes of transport like wagons,

donkeys/mules were introduced.

Greeks were the first, who shaped the modern day travel. Pleasure travel was popular.

Travel was advanced by two developments: Currency exchange: Greek cities accepted foreign

currency, making it easier for travellers. The Greek empire covered the entire Mediterrenian

thus the language was widely understood. They provided all the ammenities required.

Romans were also indulgent in travel. The prosperity of the roman empire was reflected in

the development of travel. The Romans included a large group of middle class who had

money and time to travel. They built excellent roads, transportation and communication

systems. They also built rest houses.

Perhaps the most interesting link in the East/West movement of people was the Silk Route.

This began in 2000 B.C. and transformed overtime as modemisation and natural causes

dictated. The Silk Route is evidence of the fact that in Inter-continental travel inconveniences

Legal Definitions of Tourism in India

-29-

disregarded by travellers. The Silk Route is reported in travel records, annals and chronicles

written for courts and kings, and in the accounts of pilgrims.

Meeting to exchange silk, muslin, fine glass, tea, rice and spices, the participants in the

emporium trade also exchanged ideas and transplanted production processess in different

parts of the world.

Intellectual capital of Europe gave rise to the Grand Tour during the Renessence period. It

ment, a tour to the principal cities and places of interest in Europe, formerly said to be an

essential part of the education of the young man of ‘good birth’ and ‘fortune’. Main travellers

were diplomats, business people, and scholars Mainly for career, education, culture, literary,

health, scientific, business, and economic reasons.

Thomas Cook, the Father of modern travel and tourism, was the first to introduce organised

trip which was ‘from Leicester to Loughborough ’ in 1841. It covered a distance of 22 km

for 570 members. He acted as an agent by buying tickets in bulk and selling it to others on

a non profit basis. This gave him an idea to package tours in a profitable manner.

He organised the travel arrangements, accommodations, transport at the destinations and

return to the homeland. He organised the first ‘inclusive tour’ to Paris Exhibition in 1855.

‘Hotel voucher’ was introduced by Thomas Cook in 1867 and ‘Circular Note’ in 1873

which made travel easier. First ‘Round the world tour’ in 1872.

A history of tourism developed mainly through indirect sources in the early period. It was

only with the onset of 20th century that statistics and information on tourism began to be

directly collected. Trade and pilgrimage played an important role in tourism traffic in the

pre-modern times. However, the growth of modem technology, raising incomes and modem

entrepreneurships contributed to the emergence of modem tourism.

2. MEANING OF TOURISM

Etymologically, the word tour is derived from the Latin, ‘tornare’ and the Greek, ‘tornos’,

meaning ‘a lathe or circle’; the movement around a central point or axis. This meaning

changed in modern English to represent ‘one’s turn’. The suffix –ism is defined as ‘an

action or process; typical behaviour or quality’, while the suffix, –ist denotes ‘one that

performs a given action’. When the word tour and the suffixes –ism and –ist are combined,

they suggest the action of movement around a circle. One can argue that a circle represents

a starting point, which ultimately returns back to its beginning. Therefore, like a circle, a

tour represents a journey in that it is a round-trip, i.e., the act of leaving and then returning


-30-

to the original starting point, and therefore, one who takes such a journey can be called a

tourist1.

In 1941, Hunziker and Krapf defined tourism as people who travel “the sum of the phenomena

and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, insofar as they do not

lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity.” In 1976, the

Tourism Society of England’s definition was: “Tourism is the temporary, short-term

movement of people to destination outside the places where they normally live and work

and their activities during the stay at each destination. It includes movements for all purposes.”

In 1981, the International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism defined tourism in

terms of particular activities selected by choice and undertaken outside the home.

The World Tourism conference which was held at Manila, Philippines in October 1980,

considered the nature of tourism phenomenon in all its aspects. The role tourism is bound to

play in a dynamic and vastly changing world was also identified. Convened by the World

Tourism Organization the conference also considered the responsibility of various states

for the development and enhancement as more than a purely economic activity of nations

and peoples. The significance of tourism was discussed in detail during the conference. The

participants in the World Tourism Conference attached particular importance to its effects

on the developing countries. It stated its conviction that the world tourism can contribute to

the establishment of a new international economic order that will help to eliminate the

widening economic gap between developed and developing countries and ensure the steady

acceleration of economic and social development and progress in particular of the developing

countries.

3. DEFINITION OF TOURISM AS PER MANILA DECLARATION

Manila Declaration on World Tourism considered almost all the aspects of the tourism

phenomenon. Besides the economic aspects, social, cultural, spiritual aspects also were

considered. The conference was also convinced that world tourism can be a vital force for

world peace and can provide the moral and intellectual basis for international understanding

and interdependence. The Declaration states

i) Tourism is considered an activity essential to the life of nations because of its direct

effects on the social, cultural, educational and economic sectors of national societies

and their international relations. Its development is linked to the social and economic

1 Theobald, William F., Global Tourism (2nd ed.), Oxford [England]: Butterworth–Heinemann, pp. 6–7, 1998.


-31-

development of a nation and can only be possible if man has access to creative rest and

holidays and enjoys the freedom to travel, within the framework of free time and

leisure.

ii) On the threshold of the twenty-first century and in view of the problems facing mankind,

it seems timely and necessary to analyse the phenomenon of tourism, fundamentally

in relation to the dimensions it has assumed since the granting to workers of the right

to annual paid holidays. This has moved tourism from a restricted elitist activity to a

wider activity integrated into social and economic life.

iii) States have recognised that modern tourism had come to play an important role within

the range of human activities. A great majority of them have entrusted the World Tourism

Organisation with the task of ensuring the harmonious and sustained development of

tourism, in cooperation, in appropriate cases, with the Specialised Agencies of the

United Nations and the other international organisations concerned.

iv) The right to use of leisure, and in particular, the right of access to holidays and to the

freedom of travel and tourism, a natural consequence of the right to work, is recognised

as an aspect of the fulfillment of the human needs by the Universal Declaration of

Human Rights as well as by the legislation of many States. It entails for society the

duty of providing for its citizens the best practical, effective and nondiscriminatory

access to this type of activity. Such an effort must be in harmony with the priorities,

institutions and traditions of each individual country.

v) There are many constrains on the development of tourism, and groups of nations should

determine and study those constrains, and adopt measures aimed at removing their

negative influence.

vi) The share tourism represents in national economies and in international trade makes it

a significant factor in world development. It consistent major role in national economic

activity, in international transactions and in securing balance of payments equilibrium

makes it one of the main activities of the world economy.

vii) Within each country, domestic tourism contributes to an improved balance of the

national economy through a redistribution of the national income. Domestic tourism

also heightens the awareness of common interest and contributes to the development

of activities favourable to the general economy of the country. Thus, the development

of tourism from abroad should be accompanied by a similar effort to expand domestic

tourism.


-32-

viii) The economic returns of tourism, however real and significant they may be, do not and

cannot constitute the only criterion for the decision by States to encourage this activity.

The right to holidays, the opportunity for the citizen to get to know his own environment,

a deeper awareness of his national identity and of the solidarity that links him to his

compatriots and the sense of belonging to a culture and to a people are all major

reasons for stimulating the individual’s participation in domestic and international

tourism through access to holidays and travel.

ix) The importance that millions of our contemporaries attach to tourism in the use of

their free time and in their concept of the quality of life makes it a need that governments

should take into account and support.

x) Social tourism is an objective which society must pursue in the interest of those citizens

who are least privileged in the exercise of their rights to rest.

xi) Through its effects on the physical and mental health of individuals practicing it, tourism

is a factor that favours social stability, improves the working capacity of communities

and promotes individual as well as collective well-being.

xii) Through the wide range of services needed to satisfy its requirements, tourism creates

new activities of considerable importance which are a source of new employment. In

this respect, tourism constitutes a positive element for social development in all the

countries where it is practiced, irrespective of their level of development.

xiii) With respect to International relations and the search for peace, based on justice and

respect of individual and national aspirations, tourism stands out as a positive and

ever-present factor in promoting mutual knowledge and understanding and as a basis

for reaching a greater level of respect and confidence among all the peoples of the

world.

xiv) Modern tourism results from the adoption of a social policy which led to the workers’

gaining annual paid holidays and represents the recognition of a fundamental right of

the human being to rest and leisure. It has become a factor contributing to social stability,

mutual understanding among individuals and peoples and individual betterment. In

addition to its wellknown economic aspects, it has acquired a cultural and moral

dimension which must be fostered and protected against the harmful distortions which

can be brought about by economic factors. Public authorities and the travel trade should

accordingly participate in development of tourism by formulating guidelines aimed at

encouraging appropriate investments.


-33-

xv) Youth tourism requires the most active attention since young people have less adequate

income than others for travelling or taking holidays. A positive policy should provide

youth with the utmost encouragement and facilities. The same attention should be

provided for the elderly and handicapped.

xvi) In the universal efforts to establish a new international economic order, tourism can

under appropriate conditions, play a positive role in furthering equilibrium, cooperation,

mutual understanding and solidarity among all countries.

xvii)Nations should promote and improve conditions of employment for workers engaged

in tourism and confirm and protect their right to establish professional trade unions

and collective bargaining.

xviii) Tourism resources available in various countries consist at the same time of space,

facilities and values. These are resources whose use cannot be left uncontrolled without

running the risk of their deterioration, or even their destruction. The satisfaction of

tourism requirements must not be prejudicial to the economic interests of the population

in tourist areas, to the environment or above all, to natural resources, which are the

fundamental attractions of tourism, and historical and cultural sites. All tourism

resources are part of the heritage of mankind. National communities and the entire

international community must take the necessary steps to ensure their preservation.

The conservation of historical, cultural and religious sites represents at all times, and

notably in time of conflict, one of the fundamental responsibilities of states.

xix) International cooperation in the field of tourism is an endeavour in which the

characteristics of people and basic interests of individual Sates must be respected. In

this field, the central and decisive role of the World Tourism Organisation as a concept-

utilising and harmonising body is obvious.

xx) Bilateral and multilateral technical and financial cooperation cannot be looked upon

as an act of assistance since it constitutes the pooling of the means necessary for the

utilisation of resources for the benefit of all parties.

xxi) In the practice of tourism, spiritual elements must take precedence over technical and

material elements.

The spiritual elements are essentially as follows:

a) the total fulfillment of the human being;

b) a constantly increasing contribution to education;


-34-

c) equality of destiny of nations;

d) the liberation of man in a spirit of respect for his identity and dignity.

e) the affirmation of the originality of cultures and respect for the moral heritage of

peoples.

xxii)Preparation for tourism should be integrated with the training of the citizen for his

civic responsibilities. In this respect, governments should mobilise the means of

education and information at their disposal and should facilitate the work of individuals

and bodies involved in this endeavour. Preparation for tourism, for holidays and for

travel could usefully form part of the process of youth education and training. For

these reasons, the integration of tourism into youth education constitutes a basic element

favourable to the permanent strengthening of peace.

xxiii) Any long-term analysis of mankind’s social, cultural and economic development should

take due account of national and international tourist and recreational activities. These

activities now form an integral part of the life of modern national and international

societies. Bearing in mind the acknowledged values of tourism which are inseparable

from it, the authorities will have to give increased attention to the development of

national and international tourist and recreational activities, based on an even wider

participation of peoples in holidays and travel as well as the movement of persons for

numerous other purposes, with a view to ensuring the orderly growth of tourism in a

manner consistent with the other basic needs of society.

xxiv) The States and other participants in the Conference, together with the World Tourism

Organisation, are strongly urged to take into account the guidelines, viewpoints and

recommendations emanating from the Conference so that they can contribute, on the

basis of their experience and in the context of their day to day activities, to the practical

implementation of the objectives set with a view to broadening the process of

development of world tourism and breathing new life into it.

xxv) The Conference urged the World Tourism Organisation to take all necessary measures,

through its own international machinery and, where appropriate, in cooperation with

other international, inter-government and non-governmental bodies, so as to permit

the global implementation of the principles, concepts and guidelines contained in this

final document.


-35-

4. ACCEPTED LEGAL DEFINITIONS OF TOURISM

The Definition of Tourism varies source by source, person by person. There is no consensus

concerning the definition of tourism. Nearly every each institution define “Tourism”

differently.

The first definition of tourism was made by Guyer Feuler in 1905. It was not however, a

holistic definition and was hence not accepted by many scholars. The first accepted definition

of tourism was given by Macintosh and Goeldner. According to their definition tourism

is :“The sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the interaction of tourists,

business suppliers, host goverments and host communities in the process of attracting and

hosting these tourists and other visitors”.

When it comes to explain it with the basic terms, we can sum it up as follows; “Tourism is

a collection of activities, services and industries which deliver a travel experience comprising

transportation, accommodation, eating and drinking establishments, retail shops,

entertainment businesses and othe hospitality services provided for individuals or groups

traveling away from home”.

UNWTO Definition of Tourism

In order to prevent the disaccords to define “Tourism”, UNWTO defined it as indicated

below; “Tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places

outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business

and other purposes”.

Travel and Tourism: Tourism is different from travel. In order for tourism to happen,

there must be a displacement: an individual has to travel, using any type of means of

transportation (he might even travel on foot: nowadays, it is often the case for poorer

societies, and happens even in more developed ones, and concerns pilgrims, hikers

…). But all travel is not tourism.

Three criteria are used simultaneously in order to characterise a trip as belonging to

tourism. They are:

a) Displacement: displacement must be such that it involves a movement outside

the usual environment;

b) Type of purpose: the travel must occur for any purpose different from being

remunerated from within the place visited: the previous limits, where tourism was

restricted to recreation and visiting family and friends are now expanded to include

a vast array of purposes;


-36-

c) Duration: only a maximal duration is mentioned, not a minimal. Tourism

displacement can be with or without an overnight stay. We shall discuss the

particularity of in transit visits, from a conceptual and statistical point of view.

Currently, with the tremendous boost in travel, world over, it has been realised, not only by

the individual governments, particularly of the developing nations but also by the International

organisations that World belongs to man and everyone has a right to know and enjoy the

world not just around him but also beyond him.

To emphasis the significance of the above statement it will be appropriate here to quote the

extract from the United Nation’s Conference on International Travel and Tourism held in

1963, which underlined the need for a National Tourism Administrative (NTA) using the

following words:

The Conference considers that it is incumbent on governments to stimulate and coordinate

national tourism activities and is convinced that this task can, in the main, be carried out

through the medium of National Tourist Organisations.

Therefore the planning process in tourism should outline the optimum objectives to be

attained in a given period of time. This planning should be treated as an integral part of the

country’s general economic and social planning. The key phases in tourism planning are as

follows:

Assessment of tourism demand and a scientific planned approach to the supply of such

demands.

Tourism objectives should cover the overall development of a nation. Tourism site planning

should be done by totally avoiding damage to natural and cultural assets. Focus should be

on development of basic infrastructure which would be needed by any tourist.

Financial planning should be done involving public, private agencies and foreign investment.

Appropriate man-power planning must be done, especially because tourism is a service

industry. There is also a need for efficient Administrative planning. Focus to be placed also

on tourism marketing, promotional strategies within and outside the country. Lastly,

monitoring and evaluation must be done on a consistent basis.

5. OBJECTIVES OF DEFINITIONS

One of thge most important question that comes to one’s mind is that why is it necessary to

define tourism? Most governments subscribe to the view that tourism is good for their


-37-

people and should be supported. However, not many have developed policies which are

mandated by their legislature and implemented effectively. Hence, by way of defining tourism

and its aspects, a legal accent to the term is provided that makes it easy to develop an

organised mandate or policy for promotion, healthy sustenance and evolution the industry.

More successful tourist countries have National Tourism Policies mandated by their

parliaments; among them are Canada, U.K., Ireland, France, Japan, Spain and U.S.A. All of

them have similar goals.

To support growth of domestic and international tourism, contribute to international

friendship, development of economy and reduction in regional economic and social

differences.

The International as well as domestic organisations are set up with a view to encourage

tourism. In India, the National Tourism Organisation is the Department of Tourism (DOT),

which works under the over all control of the Ministry of Tourism – which deals only with

tourism matters. We have tourism and civil aviation which have separate identities, although

they may be under the same minister. Accordingly ITDC is a public sector organisation

which works under the ministry of tourism.

Some of the international organisations set up are as follows:

i) France Hispano Portuguese Federation of Tourist Association- The first international

Tourist organisation set up by the collaborative effort of Spain, France and Portugal.

ii) The International Union of National Tourist Propaganda Organisation (IUNTPO) –

Set up in 1925 which was discontinued after world War II.

iii) World Tourism Organisation (WTO) – has been discussed in the lesson.

iv) Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) – set up in 1951.

v) Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA) – set up in 1966 is the

highest and largest world body representing the interests of the travel agents world

wide.

vi) International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) – set up in December 1922 in Paris.

Besides these there are several other bodies such as the FHRAI, IATO etc. which serve

as the trade body of inbound tour operators. With the help of all the international

agencies and the domestic bodies, the tourism industry is streamlined and the policy

makers also strongly believe that through the capacity of its tourism resources and

untapped market potential, India has considerable scope for expansion and development

leading to an overall national development programme.


-38-

In the year 1996, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi set up National Committee on Tourism

(NCT) which unanimously recommended establishment of an autonomous tourism authority

to replace DOT. However the two year long labour went waste due to government apathy

and ignorance. Although some steps have been taken in developing tourism but there is still

huge scope and potential in this rapidly growing industry.

Ministry of Tourism is taking very progrssive steps in promoting tourism trend in India.

Their slogan “Atithi Devo Bhava” - Lets welcome tourists as guests and send them back as

friends, highlights that how tourism can be made a part of not just a progressing industry

but our culture. Using Information Technology, this message, is being sent out for Tourists,

Tour operators, Travel agents, public at large for the following two basic purposes.

i) To create a sense of security amongst Tourists.

ii) To change the attitude towards Tourists in India.

BLOCK 2 : INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM AND ECOTOURISM: …Introduction to Tourism and Ecotourism: Indian...

Documents

Transcript of BLOCK 2 : INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM AND ECOTOURISM: …Introduction to Tourism and Ecotourism: Indian...