CH. 2 About Raj. Tourism & RTDC - Information and...

CHAPTER 2

ABOUT RAJASTHAN TOURISM &

RAJASTHAN TOURISM

DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Ltd.

(A Govt. of Rajasthan Undertaking)

CHAPTER 2 ABOUT RAJASTHAN TOURISM & RTDC

81

CHAPTER 2

ABOUT RAJASTHAN TOURISM &

RAJASTHAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Ltd.

(A Govt. of Rajasthan Undertaking)

INDEX

Sr. No. Particulars Page No.

2.1 Introduction 83-87

2.2 Tourism in Rajasthan 88-92

2.3 Tourism Products in Rajasthan 93-107

2.4 Types of Tourism in Rajasthan 108-112

2.5 Tourism Policy of Rajasthan 113-117

2.6 Types of Tourism Services 118-121

2.7 Awards & Appreciation Won by Rajasthan for Tourism 122-123

2.8 Statistics for Tourism in Rajasthan 124-128

2.9 About RTDC - Introduction 130-131

2.10 Objectives & Functions of RTDC 132-133

2.11 Organization Structure of RTDC 134-135

2.12 Services Provided by RTDC 136-140

2.13 Marketing Agents of RTDC 141-143

2.14 References 144-145


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RAJASTHAN TOURISM

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Rajasthan - 'The Land of Kings, Palaces, Valor and Sacrifices'. Rajasthan

derives its name from “Rajah” “Sthana”, which literally means home of Kings.1

Rajasthan being situated in the Northwest part of India, is a land of majestic

Aravali Hills, crowned with sand dunes of Jaisalmer and Bikaner, Scenic and

serene beauty and warrior princes – the land of regal creatures bird watcher

and many more. The formation of Rajasthan in its present form has come in

gradual states after the independence of the country. The present state of

Rajasthan is effectively a union of 22 former princely states. Rajasthan has a

total area of 0.342 Sq. Kms, making it geographically the largest state in the

country. The state shares its geographical boundaries with the states of

Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat in India and

also has a long 1070-Kms west boundary with India’s neighboring country

Pakistan. The topography of Rajasthan mainly comprises of three regions,

namely, the Aravali hills range, the Great Indian Thar Desert and the Eastern

part of the state. The population of the state is around 56.5 Million according

to the 2001 census which constitutes nearly 5.5% of the nation’s population.

The principal language of the state is Rajasthani, the four important dialects

being Marwari in the West, Jaipuri in the East, Malwi in South-east and

Mewati in North-east. Hindi is widely spoken and is rapidly replacing

Rajasthani language.

Rajasthan is a land of great beauty and diversity. From the Thar Desert in the

west to the fertile Southeastern plains, Rajasthan's topography too shares in

this diversity. The state is home of brave Rajput warriors, is popular for its

culture, from the lively folk dances to the many schools of Indian classical

music. The main cities in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Mount Abu,

1 Ashok Aima, Jaya Bhasin and Rachna Gupta, Research Paper on “Heritage

Tourism in Rajasthan: Study of Leadership Styles” in Colombo Conference of

India Tourism Congress, 14th June 2011.


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Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Chittor, Bharatpur and Alwar which enjoying benefit of

tourists attraction. The customs and traditions, fairs and festivals, handicrafts,

art and music reflect the very broad spectrum of the Rajasthani culture where

much of the Rajasthani thought, philosophy and culture is being reflected all

over the state.2

Rajasthan accounts a major contributor to the country’s production of gypsum,

silver ore, asbestos, feldspar and mica and has rich salt deposits at Sambhar

and copper mines at Khetri and Dariba. The state is also famous for

production of building stones like sandstone, marble, kotastone and granite in

different colors and in large quantities. Rajasthan also has an emerging

industry sector, the main industries being textiles, manufacture of rugs and

woollen goods, vegetable oils and dyes. Traditional handicrafts such as

jewellery, marble work, embossed brass, block printing, embroidery, pottery

and decorative paintings are good foreign exchange earners for the state. The

state includes heavy industries such as railway rolling stock, copper and zinc

smelting. The chemical industry produces caustic soda, calcium carbides,

fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides. The principal industrial clusters in the

state are at Jaipur, Kota, Alwar, Udaipur and Bhilwara. Another sector that

has always played an important role in the state economy, particularly during

the last few decades is tourism. Rajasthan tourism industry has seen a strong

growth in both the domestic and international tourist arrivals over the

decades.

Tourism industry in Rajasthan is a vital breath in the economic activity.

Tourism has direct and indirect impact on financial, social and cultural life of

people. This industry is considered as leisure industry with many economic

benefits like foreign exchange earnings, regional development, promotion of

local handicrafts and artisans, infrastructure development and increasing

standard of living. The state government has already realized the potentials of

2 Chaman Lal Raina & Abhinav Kumar Raina, “Fundamentals of Tourism and

Indian Religion – Principles and Practices”, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors,

New Delhi, 1st Edition, 2005, Pg.182.


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this industry for the economic development in the state and has adopted vital

measures to promote tourism in the state adopting schemes like “Padharo

Mhare Desh” means “Rajasthan Invites You”.3 The former president of

USA, Bill Clinton’s visit to Rajasthan helped to turn the world’s spotlight on

this popular tourist destination and the state is already witnessing an

increasing tourist traffic ever since. No doubt officials of Rajasthan tourism are

very enthusiastic about this welcome development and pitching with their

efforts to make Rajasthan a most preferred destination in the world. There are

good reasons to believe why tourism in Rajasthan is being accorded the

priority it deserves? The Chief Minister of Rajasthan has declared tourism as

one of the key area of economic development and termed this sector as the

“Hope Sector” for Rajasthan.

No wonder that Rajasthan has been called the “Designer State” as far as

tourism is concerned because of its people, culture, cuisine, costumes,

clothes and its numberless art forms. In the end it can be said that tourism is

poised to become a people’s industry in Rajasthan by 2010. Really for

Rajasthan Tourism sky is not the limit”. Tourism in Rajasthan is a major

source of revenue earnings and it contributes about 15% of the economy of

Rajasthan. Rajasthan contributes about 11.2 per cent and 3.3 per cent share

in India's foreign and domestic tourist arrivals respectively. To enhance the

role of tourism in the state the Rajasthan government has brought down the

luxury tax from 10% to 8% to boost the tourism industry in the state. Hence

the state Rajasthan has all potential to attract more number of tourists by

providing various types of tourism facilities which play an important role for

growth of the economy.

3 A.K. Raina & Neelu Jain, “Dynamics of Tourism – Concepts, Philosophy and

Strategies”, Kanishka Publishers, Distributors, New Delhi, 1st Edition, 2004,

Pg. 39.


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[www.mapsofindia.com]


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88

2.2 TOURISM IN RAJASTHAN



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Rajasthan is a popular tourist spot in North India and emerged as one of the

popular tourist destinations in India for both domestic and foreign tourists. The

royal land dotted with numerous tourist attraction sites. The rich tourist

attractions of Rajasthan includes numerous forts and palaces, monuments

and structures, lakes and mountains, sand dunes and desert beauty, national

parks and wildlife destinations. Even the cities and towns of Rajasthan are

worth exploring. The state is known for its diversity in terms of natural

resources, cultural heritage, historical as well as archaeological wonders and

rare wild life. The forts and palaces, heritage hotels, colourful fairs and

festivals, local art and handicrafts has been a unique selling proposition for

tourists coming to the state. The desert environment in the Western parts of

the state is also a major attraction for visitors, particularly for foreign tourist.

Rajasthan has emerged as one of the leading state in India and Rajasthan

was the third preference of tourist after Goa and Kerala as travel destination

in India.4

However four decades ago tourism in Rajasthan was small industry that was

largely confined to the selected foreign tourists and domestic pilgrim traffic.

Tourist arrivals were restricted to a few thousand annually and were primarily

recorded in select places such as Jaipur, the state capital, Udaipur and

Jodhpur for foreign tourists and the pilgrim centers of Ajmer, Pushkar and

Nathdwara for domestic tourists. The employment in the sector and the

sector’s contribution to the state economy were limited. However, over the last

few decades, due to the focused efforts of Rajasthan Tourism, various state

government agencies and selected entrepreneurs, tourism has grown from an

elite and pilgrim phenomenon to a mass phenomenon putting Rajasthan firmly

on the foreign and domestic tourist map. Also, as compared to the past,

where the tourism in the state meant only for desert tourism, heritage tourism

and pilgrim tourism, today the tourists have a wide canvas of places,



Pg. 164.


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attractions and activities to choose from the state, which enhances the overall

tourism experience. Thus, Rajasthan recognized the potential attractions of

tourism and it takes various efforts to enhance tourism in the state.

The government of Rajasthan has granted the status of industry to tourism

sector in the year 1989 and all the facilities and concession available to

industries in the state would also be available to tourism units in the state as

per rules in force. The government of Rajasthan takes many measures to

enhance the role of tourism such as efforts will be made to arrange special

tourist trains such as Palace-On-Wheels which has been launched in the year

1996-97 and it has proved to be extremely popular for International tourists

and NRIs, special Intra-state and Inter-state package tours would be

encouraged through private tour operators and travel agents, the state also

encourage air taxi service and helicopter service by air taxi operators within

the state so that tourists visiting the state can visit many places within the

available time and establishing modern well equipped Tourist Reception

Centers (TRC) at important tourists’ destinations which provides important

information like package tours, fairs and festivals and paying guest

accommodation. In order to facilitate dissemination of information to the

tourists from foreign and domestic market, the state will origin such literature,

films, videos and other published material. The special efforts identified in

major areas such as overseas publicity about Rajasthan as a tourist

destination, private marketing and publicity linkages would be established with

the help of travel agents and tour operators to promote tourism in Rajasthan

in the world tourism market. The state also encourage private investment in

developing ancient buildings and heritage properties as tourist resorts,

government and various NGOs operate many fairs and festivals especially

Desert Festival and Pushkar Cattle Festival to attract more number of tourists.

To enhance the role of human resource development in tourism sector, the

state select and train appropriate number of tourists guides at all destinations

and tourist circuits within the state, so that they provide their unique facilities

to tourists.


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Tourism in Rajasthan is an important economic activity which has vital impact

on financial, social and cultural life of people. This industry gives the benefits

of infrastructure development, increasing standard of living, earning foreign

exchange and development of local handicrafts and culture. The tourism

potential and future promise of Rajasthan is very well known and well

documented all over the world. Each and every corner of Rajasthan is an

enjoyable experience in its own way and there are many of tourist attractions

in the state which can offers to tourists. Different cultures, customs and

traditions, fairs and festivals, heritage and pilgrimage places, forts and

palaces and the most hospitable local people can make Rajasthan as the

most peaceful and safest tourist destination of India as well as in South Asia.

The state government of Rajasthan introduces many new tourism products

such as eco-tourism, a canal cruise in river Chamble, camel and horse

safaris, camp tourism, new package tours at reasonable rates, special tax

rebates and exemptions for the tourism sector.

Tourism has a significant multiplier effect on the state economy. It increases

employment opportunities, generating revenue, developing infrastructure,

increasing investment opportunities and revival of traditions and heritage

conservation and management5. It is estimated that every rupee spent by a

tourist changes hands 13 times and that every hotel room generates direct

employment to three persons and indirect employment to eight persons. In

Rajasthan, tourism is the third largest employer after agriculture and textiles

sector. Today the tourism industry in Rajasthan employs many people directly

and indirectly. Its contribution to the State economy is estimated to be over Rs

2000 Crores.

No doubt tourism industry in Rajasthan suffer some social and environmental

problems such as increase in begging, prostitution, cheating and pressure on

local community by influencing their customs and traditions, deforestation,



Pg. 95.


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unplanned or unregulated management of tourism programmes, damage to

heritage and pilgrimage places, environment pollution, lack of connectivity and

shopping malpractices. Though it is true that state made many efforts to

increase tourism in the state and to provide tourist facilities government of

Rajasthan establish Department of Tourism (DoT), Rajasthan Tourism

Development Corporation Ltd. (RTDC), Rajasthan Institute of Travel and

Tourism Management (RITTMAN) and many other organizations which play a

vital role for increasing tourism in the state. Also the government of Rajasthan

has undertaken many steps for the improvement and development of tourism

trade in the state yet there is a room to think, to plan and to implement new

and attractive way to give a further boost to this trade. In connection to this

the major new dimensions for the advancements of tourism suggested are

improvement in transportation network by rail, road and air connectivity,

adequate fund allocation to tourism sector and free loans to tourism projects,

human resource development, increasing private sector participation,

preservation of rich heritage palaces, and encouraging new area of tourism

such as MICE tourism, rural tourism, adventure tourism.


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2.3 TOURISM PRODUCTS IN RAJASTHAN

Tourism in Rajasthan is one of the fast growing industry which gives higher

contribution in state by increasing revenue, increasing standard of living,

providing platform to local artisans and culture and developing infrastructure.

There are many tourism products in the state which attracts tourists such as

forts and palaces, shopping, safari tours, wildlife sanctuary parks, heritage

and pilgrimage places, lakes in Rajasthan and many more.

�� Forts and Palaces in Rajasthan:

Amer (Amber) Fort in Jaipur City Palace in Jaipur

The Royal state of Rajasthan offers many grand forts and palaces, which are

part of the heritage of India and attract a large number of tourists from all over

the world. The capital city Jaipur and other cities such as Jaisalmer, Udaipur,

Chittorgarh and Jodhpur are major popular cities for their historical forts and

palaces in the state. The Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort,

Nahargarh Fort and Jantar Mantar are most visited forts and palaces in the

pink city Jaipur. The city of Jaisalmer is also dotted with many significant

golden fortresses, historical carved havelies.6 Jaisalmer (Sonar) Fort in

Jaisalmer is one of the major attractions for domestic and foreign tourists in

Jaisalmer. The majestic Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhavan Palace

represent the city of Jodhpur which is known for its magnificent palaces.

6 Prakash Talwar, “Travel and Tourism Management – Volume 2”, Isha

Books, Delhi, 2006 Edition, Pg. 34.


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Similarly Juangarh Fort in Bikaner, City Palace and Lake Palace in Udaipur

are the major attractions for tourists to enjoy heritage of Rajasthan. As all

these forts and palaces in Rajasthan attract more and more tourists in the

state which gives knowledge about history and royal life of king’s who ruled in

the state.

�� Rajasthan Safari Tours:

Camel Safari in Rajasthan

The state of Rajasthan in western India is a treasure trove of natural beauty,

historic monuments and an amazing wildlife. Rajasthan tourism is one of the

best organized tourism in India and the results of its efficiency, the authorities

have handled tourism which can be seen in the rise in the number of tourists

every single year. Rajasthan has a varied landscape that comprises

magnificent golden sand dunes, majestic hills and good-natured lakes. The

best way to explore this vast land is organized by safaris. The Rajasthan

safari tours offer a different way to explore various tourist destinations in the

state. There are many famous forts and palaces in the state which attract a

large number of tourists from all over the world. The Rajasthan safari tours

are fast becoming the preferred options for most tourists, especially the


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adventurous. The most popular safaris are camel safari, horse safari,

elephant ride and jeep safari.7

The camel safari provides tours to certain places in Rajasthan on camel back,

accompanied by the trainers of the animals and tourist guides. The camel

safaris are very popular in the regions of Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer.

Camel safaris can be quite an experience in Thar Desert which is a part of

Rajasthan.8 Similarly Jeep safaris are quite popular among the tourists owing

to the speed and maneuverability of the vehicles. They can be used to go to

places where the normal tourist vehicles cannot access and where horses

and camels will take a lot of time to reach. Jeeps are particularly useful in

exploring the wildlife in Rajasthan. Jeep safari tours throughout Rajasthan is

an all together new concept which is born to give immense excitement as it is

unique in its kind. Jeep safaris are one of the fastest ways for visit of colorful

Thar Desert. Some of the most popular jeep safari routes in Rajasthan are

Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.

Rajasthan and horses are like the two sides of the same coin. The Rajputs on

horseback, with swords symbolize the royalty of the place. Horse safaris in

this kind of a land are the most innovative, exciting and adventurous way of

leaving behind marks of enjoyment across the sands of Rajasthan. Horse

safaris are relatively a recent addition to the safari tours of Rajasthan. In

Rajasthan, region around Jodhpur, Bikaner and Udaipur are covered by most

horse safaris. In recent times horse safari is organized by some private tour

operators also. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation organizes a

safari on request which starts from Jaipur and the duration of the safari is four

days. The places which could be visited are Anokhi, Shikarbadi, Aodhi and

Ghanerao. The horse safaris during Pushkar fair take the tourist trotting long

the cultural present and reminiscent past of Rajasthan. Elephant ride was



Pg. 42.




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usually arranged by the archaeological department of the state in the past

years at Amer, but since last few years it is operated by the tourism

department on rotation system and is very popular among the tourists.9

�� Wildlife Sanctuary Parks:

Sariska Tiger Reserve Keoladeo Ghana National Park

Rajasthan has one of the most varied forms of landscapes and natural

attractions that offer to the tourist. On one side, it has dry Great Indian Thar

Desert while on the other side it has one of the oldest mountain ranges in the

world - the Aravalis. It has also over 25 sanctuaries parks, which can offer a

different tourism experience. The forests of Rajasthan cover an approximately

9.3% of the total geographical area of the state. These forests are spread

unequally in northern, southern, eastern and southeastern parts of the state.

Rajasthan has 4 National Parks and 25 Wildlife Sanctuaries identified by the

State Forest Department. The total area of National Parks and Sanctuaries is

9,161.21 sq. km., which is roughly 2.8% of the geographic area of the state or

30.2% of the forest areas in the state. Although the state has over 25

sanctuaries parks, out of them the National Parks at Bharatpur, Ranthambhor

and Sariska are amongst the popular tourist attractions in the state.10 The

Rajasthan wildlife tourism is the ideal way to systematically explore this



Pg. 42.

10 Jagdish Verma, “Dynamics of Indian Tourism – Issues and Challenges”,

Cyber Tech Publications, New Delhi, 1st Edition, 2007, Pg. 106 - 108.


97

fascinating aspect of tourism in Rajasthan. The species that can expect to

spot on the Rajasthan wildlife sanctuary parks include tigers, leopards, jungle

cat, civet, mongoose, hyena, wild boar, sloth bear, sambhar, four horned

antelope, spotted deer, nilgai, gaur, langur and the rhesus macaque. The

black bucks and the great Indian bustard are among the severely threatened

species that are found in Rajasthan.

The major wildlife national parks in the state are Keoladeo Ghana National

Park, Ranthambore National Park and Desert National Park are protected

sanctuary having nearly more than 375 species of birds, Tiger, Elusive jungle

cat, Stealthy leopard, Panther, Neelgai Hyena and Sambhar are major

animals finds in this park which offer good opportunity for tourists who

interested in natural wealth.

�� Pilgrimage Places:

Dargah Sharif in Ajmer Brahma Temple in Pushkar

Rajasthan is undoubtedly the most charming and colorful state of the country

acknowledged for its lively and colorful traditions, arts, heritage and culture. At

the same time, Rajasthan is home to a number of religious communities that

reside in peace and harmony here. People of various faiths including Hindus,

Muslims, Jains and Christians have lived in perfect communal harmony for

many centuries. This has consequently given rise to a number of religious

sites around the state. The Rajasthan Pilgrimage places can be found spotted

all over the town and are visited by a large number of religious devotees not

only from Rajasthan but from all over the country. Some of the famous

pilgrimage sites in Rajasthan are Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, Dilwara temple in


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Mount Abu, Jain temples in Ranakpur, Karnimata temple in Deshnoke,

Eklingji temple in Udaipur, Shrinathji temple at Nathdwara, Brahma temple in

Pushkar and Govind Devji temple at Jaipur.11 This pilgrimage places in

Rajasthan are easily connected with transport network and right kind of

accommodation are also available. Many tour operators also arrange a

special tour packages for visit of these pilgrimage places which are mostly

visited by tourists.

�� Shopping in Rajasthan:

The state has something for every traveler, presenting a vast range of arts

and crafts, which is a treat for the visuals and are ready to be picked. The

bazaars spill with products and there is a magnificent glow of colors all over.

Intricate work carved on handicrafts and the wonders of gems and stones and

even more. For instance, the colors dancing on the textiles and fabrics with

silver or gold thread settings and complimented with variety of silk-threads,

beads, gota, zari, zardosi and banarasi are designed by the age old families

of skilled artisans. The major shopping paradise cities of Rajasthan are

Jaisalmer, Kota, Udaipur, Bikaner, Pushkar, Jodhpur and Jaipur. The major

shopping products are vibrant embroideries, wool carpets and blankets, light

cotton quilts and brilliantly dyed cotton fabrics, embroidered fabrics, silver

jewellery, wooden toys, leather goods, paintings, weave cotton sarees, camel


Books, Delhi, 2006 Edition, Pg. 88 - 90.


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saddles, blankets, shawls, beads, bangles and many more. Here in Rajasthan

tourists attracts to purchase colorful, handmade cultural products which are

available at many places of Rajasthan at reasonable prices.

�� Luxury Trains in Rajasthan:

There are numerous ways to explore the majestic state of Rajasthan in

Western India; the most fascinating is the tour in the famous Rajasthan luxury

trains. These trains are not only luxurious but also they take back to the age

of the Maharajas of Rajasthan who used to travel in these grand coaches

within their estates. These trains are the most important attractions of tourism

in Rajasthan. The luxury trains of Rajasthan, India have been formed by

bringing together the coaches and components of the lavish personal trains

used by the erstwhile rulers of wealthy states of Rajasthan and other parts of

India. The Nizam of Hyderabad, the rulers of Rajputana and the viceroy of

India used to travel in these trains. After independence, these coaches were

pulled out of service as they could not be incorporated in the regular trains,

being excessively lavish for such purposes.

At present, most famous Rajasthan luxury trains include the Palace on

Wheels, the Fairy Queen, the Royal Orient and the Royal Rajasthan on

Wheels. Out of all these trains the Palace on Wheels train is the most

celebrated of the four. It is a world famous train, known for its royal splendor.

The coaches of this train have come from the erstwhile estates of Rajasthan

and bear the names of the states they belong to. The train has achieved the


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most fame among the luxury trains of India. This train won the "Readers

Travel Award" by Conde Nast Traveller where Palace on Wheels rated No. 4

Luxury Train in the World. The trip aboard the Palace on Wheels includes

visits to some of the best known destinations in Rajasthan.

The Fairy Queen is yet another among the famous Rajasthan luxury trains.

The train derives its name from the locomotive that draws the two air

conditioned coaches. The Fairy Queen is the world’s oldest running

locomotive. It started its service in 1855 and was taken off service in East

India railway in 1908. The tour covers the cities of Delhi and Alwar and a visit

to the Sariska tiger reserve. The Royal Orient train also gives fascinating

experience of Rajasthan. The train starts from Delhi and travels across the

desert of Rajasthan before moving over to the state of Gujarat. The

destinations covered by the Royal Orient include Chittorgrarh, Udaipur,

Dilwara, Junagarh, Sasangir, Palitana, Jaipur, New Delhi and Ahmedabad. As

considering the success of the “Palace of Wheels” train a new luxury train

“Royal Rajasthan on Wheels” has been introduced by RTDC which also gives

a royal touch of Rajasthan. The ‘Royal Rajasthan on Wheels’ is a joint venture

of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India and Rajasthan Tourism

Development Corporation Ltd., supported by the Department of Tourism,

Government of India. The Rajasthan luxury trains are special trains operated

jointly by the tourism authorities of India and the Indian railways and covering

the many important tourism sectors in India.

� Folk Dances of Rajasthan:

Terahtali Folk Dance Chart Fork Dance


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Folk dances of Rajasthan derived from various folk art cultures. They have

their own significance and importance. A medieval history includes the

existence of princely states, which provided patronage to these art forms and

their artists. The major cultural things in Rajasthan include dancing, singing,

drama, devotional music shows and other community festivities which

transform their performance into folk dance. The most famous styles of folk

dance in Rajasthan are Ghoomar Dance, Gait Ghoomar, Gair, Chart Dance,

Terahtali Dance, Kathputli Dance, Kachhi Ghodi and fire dance.12 The

Ghoomar Dance which is basically a community dance for women and

performed on auspicious occasions. The word Ghoomar derived from the

word ghoomna, piroutte, this is a very simple dance where the ladies move

gently, gracefully in circles. Gait Ghoomar is one of the dance form of the Bhil

tribals performed during Holi festival, this is among a few performances where

both men and women dance together. Gair is also another type of fork dance

of Rajasthan which is performs on festival Holi. This dance form known with

different names such as Dandia Gair in Jodhpur and Geendad in Shekhawati.

This magnificent dance is performed by both men and women. This dance

has two versions being the the Dandi Gair of the Marwar region and the

Geendad belonging to the Shekhawati region.

Chart Dance is popular in the Kisherigarh region and involves dancing with a

chari or pot, on one’s head. A lighted lamp is then placed on the pot. Kachhi

Ghodi is a dance performed on dummy horses. Men in elaborate costumes

ride the equally well decorated dummy horses. This is also one of the

remarkable folk dances of Rajasthan and its origins in Shekhawati region. The

primary motive of this dance performance is the amusement of the

bridegroom's party. The performers are dressed in elaborate costumes and

dance as if riding on a dummy horse. Terahtali Dance form is also performed

by women and it is considered as a devotional form of dance. In this folk

dance Manjeeras are tied on the wrists, elbows, waists and arms of the

performers. The women with dexterous and fine movements dance at a




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strong rhythm on beats of ‘Manjeeras’, whereas, the male partners sing songs

and play Tandoora.

Fire Dance is the Jasnathis of Bikaner and Chum are renowned for their

tantric powers and this dance is in keeping with their lifestyle. A large ground

is prepared with live wood and charcoal where the Jasnathi men and boys

jump on to the fire to the accompaniment of drum beats. Kathputli Dance

means the dances of puppets. It is a traditional dance of Indian state of

Rajasthan. Through the puppet shows all the real stories of great heros have

been told from village to another. In all these folk dances male and female

dancers wear colourful, embroidered and mirror worked costumes and use

variety of musical instruments such as sarangi, ghunroos, dhol, kartal,

shahenai and ektara to bring out sweetest melody which is one of the major

tourist attraction of Rajasthan for domestic and foreign tourists.

�� Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan:

Marwar Festival Teej Festival


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Gangaur Festival

In Rajasthan, Department of Tourism, RTDC and other tourism organizations,

organize number of fairs and festivals with fun, frolic excitements and rituals

which are observed throughout the year in the state. The major fairs

organized by these organizations are Desert Triangle, Golden Triangle,

Rajasthan Package, Wildlife Package and Mewar Tour which provides a

unique opportunity to tourists to visits various historical and pilgrimage places

of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is a vibrant, exotic state in India where tradition and

royal beauty meet in a riot of colors against the vast backdrop of sand and

desert. In Rajasthan there is a celebration for every religious occasion almost

round the year. The major celebrations of festivals are Desert Festival,

Gangaur Festival, Pushkar Festival, Marwar Festival, Teej Festival, Nagaur

Fair, Urs Ajmer Sharif, Summer Festival and Baneshwar Fair.

In the all well-known festivals of Rajasthan, the Pushkar Festival is one of the

famous festivals in Rajasthan which is celebrated in the month of Kartik of

each year. An incredible number of camels travel their way across the golden

sands of Rajasthan to collect at Pushkar for the week-long fair devoted to

them. Pushkar is an important pilgrimage in the state and play a role of

important venue of cattle fair. In Pushkar the only temple dedicated to Lord

Brahma (the creator) is located. The Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 flights

of steps called ghats. Pushkar is among the five principal places of Hindu

pilgrimage. The highlight of the Pushkar fair is the trading in camels. Desert

Festival in Jaisalmer is one of the most popular among the festivals of

Rajasthan, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is a journey into the heart of the


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Rajasthan desert. Folk performers like musicians, ballad singers, snake

charmers and puppeteers exhibit their traditional skills. There are exciting

camel dances, camel acrobatics, camel races and camel polo, competitions

for the best decorated camel, tug-of-war between musclemen and a turban

tying competition. The Jaisalmer fort provides a delicate backdrop to the

annual desert festival. The Rajasthan State Tourism Corporation sponsored

this festival which is a joyful celebration of the traditional performing arts and

creative crafts of Rajasthan.

The Gangaur Festival is the most important local festival of Rajasthan which

is observed throughout the state with great fervor and devotion by womenfolk

who worship Gauri, the partner of Lord Shiva. It is time for young girls to dress

up in their finery and pray for grooms of their choice while the married women

pray for the well-being of their husbands. This Gangaur Festival celebrated

among the all over the Rajasthan and people prepare many sweets, wear

colorful cultural clothes and celebrate this mythological festival. The Marwar

Festival in Jodhpur devoted mainly to the music and dance of the Marwar

region. This is a festival that allows visitor to understand and enjoy the folk

traditions of the state. This festival is organized by the Department of Tourism

and Government of Rajasthan. The Marwar Festival was originally known as

the Maand Festival. Maand is a classical style of folk music centered on the

romantic life style of Rajasthan's rulers and Maand Raag recreates the old

world charm and graceful dances of the desert. Teej Festival in Jaipur is

essentially a women's festival, it is interesting to watch them enjoying in

groups and at various bazaars where they turn up to shop in all their finery.

Song & dance mark the fun of the Teej Festival celebrated in Jaipur. Teej is

held every year during the Hindu Month of Shravan and marks the advent of

the monsoons. Nagaur Fair in Nagaur essentially an animal fair, it provides an

opportunity to participate in some of the local sports. Nagaur is situated half

way between Bikaner and Jodhpur with the thronging of cattle, horses and

camels accompanied by their colorfully turbaned owners. Games, tug-of-war

contests, camel races and strains of ballads create a joyful atmosphere with

the setting sun in the background. The Nagaur Fair is the second largest fair

in Rajasthan and it is held every year during the Hindu month of Magh. The


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fair is renowned for the trading of cows, bullocks, camels and horses. Their

owners are seen with wearing colorful turbans and flaunting long mustaches.

The Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer held in the memory of the honored Sufi Saint

Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti. It is an occasion for thousands of believers to

congregate at the memorial and offer their prayers. All of Ajmer seems to take

on a festive air and several programmes are organised to mark the festival.

The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer is the place where the Saints mortal remains lay

covered and is the site of the largest Muslim Fair in India. There are

thousands of devotees offering Chadar; Ghilaph and Neema to the tomb of

Sufi Saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti to fulfill their wishes.

The Summer Festival, Mount Abu organised at hill station of Rajasthan, this is

the coldest place in the state. Folk dances and a general atmosphere of

gaiety prevail in this tiny hill resort and the tourist has ample time to relax and

enjoy himself. Baneshwar Fair, Baneshwar a religious festival with simple and

traditional rituals. This fair is the centre of attraction of a large number of tribal

from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who join their

brethren from Rajasthan in offering prayers to Lord Shiva. The Baneshwar fair

is predominantly a tribal fair with more than half of the worshippers consisting

of Bhils. Hence all these colorful fairs and festivals create a picture of culture

of Rajasthan and attract many tourists to visit the state and to get experience

the vibrant fairs and festivals of Rajasthan during their royal journey.

�� Heritage Properties in Rajasthan:

Bhanwar Niwas, Bikaner Bissau Palace, Jaipur


106

The state Rajasthan famous for its history and culture, there are many

heritage properties exist in the state since the time of kings who ruled on the

state which gives experience of their royal lifestyles and knowledge of their

culture. As the government of Rajasthan declares tourism as a brand “Atithi

Devo Bhava” which provides tradition of hospitality which is instant and

spontaneous to visitors, guests and even strangers, continues undiluted since

the days of kings and princes. The post independence democratic India

witnessed the integration of the princely states, abolition of 'jagirs', land

reforms and finally the withdrawal of the special privileges from the royal

families. Consequently the noble families lost their traditional means of

livelihood. In order to tide over the prospect of financial hardship, large

palaces of the Maharajas set the trend by becoming five star hotels. Now

some of the ancestral homes transfer in the new lease of life - as heritage

hotels. Each of these heritage hotels or ancestral homes are different and

having their own history and tradition. In fact one can replicate the experience

of living like a king in a heritage hotel. There are more than 85 heritage

properties in Rajasthan at different cities in such as Jodhpur, Jaipur,

Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Bharatpur and many more. The major heritage properties

are Laxmi Vilas Palace, Bharatpur, Bhanwar Niwas, Bikaner, Bissau Palace,

Jaipur, Ajit Bhawan, Jodhpur, Connaught House, Mount Abu, Basant Vihar

Palace, Bikaner and Balsamand Lake Palace, Jodhpur.

�� Lakes in Rajasthan:

There are number of lakes in Rajasthan which are popular for their pilgrimage

place and tourist place for its natural surroundings and beauty which attracts

tourists to visits these lakes. The famous lakes in Rajasthan are Pushkar

Lake, Pichola Lake, Lake Fetch Sagar, Rajasamand Lake at Udaipur and

Nakki Lake at Mount Abu. One of the famous lakes situated in the middle of

Nag Pahad Hills of the Aravali range, right on the edge of desert, the only one

temple for Brahma the deity in the country is Pushkar Lake. The Lake Pichola

is another lake situated at the back of the city palaces of Maharana. It was

constructed by a Banjara in the 15th century. This lake is fringed by hills,

shrines and ghats on its southern and western periphery. One of the great

attractions of Udaipur is Lake Fetch Sagar which is an artificial lake created


107

by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 and reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh.

The Rajasamand Lake also known as Raj Sagar Lake was founded by

Maharana Raj Singh in the late 17th century which 64 kms from Udaipur.

There is also one of the famous lakes in the state Rajasthan is Nakki Talab

which is an artificial lake which was dug by the nails (nakki) of the gods and

therefore it is known as Nakki Lake. The main attraction of this lake is

surroundings hills. The beautiful lake that has never been known to become

dry is surrounded by rocks, parks and temples.13

13 Jagdish Verma, “Dynamics of Indian Tourism – Issues and Challenges”,

Cyber Tech Publications, New Delhi, 1st Edition, 2007, Pg. 267 - 269.


108

2.4 TYPES OF TOURISM IN RAJASTHAN

Figure 2.1

Types of Tourism in Rajasthan

�� Heritage Tourism:

The state Rajasthan has been always famous for its rich heritage and ancient

cultural diversity with glorious past which attracts millions of tourists in each

year. Rajasthan’s rich heritage is adequately reflected in the various temples,

palaces, monuments and forts that can be found everywhere in the state. The

state abounds with some of the best forts and palaces in the country spread

throughout the state. The state government will encourage the preservation,

conservation and upkeep of such heritage properties and selectively open

some of them for being developed into hotels and tourist complex.

The state Rajasthan occupies unique place in heritage tourism because of

various forts, palaces and monuments at various cities of Rajasthan such as

Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mount Abu (Hill station) and Udaipur which attract domestic

TYPES

OF

TOURISM

IN RAJASTHAN

Heritage Tourism

Spiritual Tourism

Cultural Tourism

Wildlife & Eco -

Tourism

Desert Tourism

MICE Tourism

Adventure Tourism


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and foreign tourist every time. Rajasthan is also famous for Mandawa castle.

The government also invited corporate sector to join hands for conservation of

historical heritage and monuments in the state.

�� Spiritual Tourism:

India is one of the most spiritually enriched places on the earth with gift of

structure of spirituality. India is the spiritual capital of the world because of the

land of the vedas and temples. India, its people, its infrastructure and in fact,

it’s very soil, encourage and foster spiritualism, allowing religions to succeed,

flourish and prosper. Spiritual tours of Rajasthan take one on tours to several

spiritual destinations of the state which are much renowned for their religious

and spiritual significance. The major spiritual places visited in the state are

Khwaja Saheb Dargah (Ajmer), Eklingji temple in Udaipur, Govind Devji

temple at Jaipur, Dilwara temples in Mount Abu and Jain temples in Ranakpur

where tourist receives the peace of mind, refresh their essence, body and

mind.

�� Cultural Tourism:

India is known for its rich cultural heritage and an element of mysticism, which

is why tourists come to India to experience it for themselves. One can see the

influence of various cultures in dance, music, festivities, architecture,

traditional customs, food and languages. This richness in culture goes a long

way in projecting India as the ultimate cultural tourism destination. Among the

various states for cultural tourism in India, Rajasthan is the most popular state

for its cultural tourism. Rajasthan is famous for its rich cultural heritage and

renowned for many magnificent palaces and forts which showcase the rich

cultural heritage of Rajasthan. The various folk songs and music also reflect

the cultural heritage of Rajasthan. A large number of fairs and festivals held in

Rajasthan such as the Camel festival, Marwar festival and Pushkar festival

which shows image of Rajasthan culture. All these fairs and festivals attract

many tourists to Rajasthan so that they get to see the rich culture of the state.


110

�� Wild life & Eco-Tourism:

Wild life and Eco- tourism involves personal growth and learning new ways to

live on the planet and enjoying company of nature without harming it. The

conceptual experience of eco-tourism is for the travelers who research and

understand the environmental phenomena around them. Rajasthan is a hot

destination for eco tours. Rajasthan is proud for being a responsible eco-

tourism place and it includes programs to minimize the negative aspects of

traditional tourism on the environment and gives immense possibilities to

relate with the local people. Hence, in addition to environmental and cultural

features, eco-tourism in Rajasthan is also a promotion of recycling, energy

efficiency, water conservation and creation of economic opportunities for the

local communities. Tourist will see solar panels for hot water provision, bio-

gas and solar for cooking purpose. The clean ambiance, bio degradable

utensils like leaf plates, glass bottles are some of the characteristics of

Rajasthan eco-tours. The numbers of eco parks are here for attraction of

tourists and they also preserve and restore the endangered wildlife. The wild

life parks provide a natural habitat to a plentiful species of wild animals, birds,

reptiles and floral kingdom. The most notable wild life parks in Rajasthan are

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Sariska Tiger

Reserve and Keoladeo Ghana National Park which gives an immense picture

of wildlife tourism.

�� Desert Tourism:

The Thar Desert in Rajasthan also known as the Great Indian Desert, the

Thar Desert extends into two states of North West India (Rajasthan and

Gujarat) and in the Eastern region of the neighboring country, Pakistan. The

desert environment in the western parts of the state is a major attraction for

visitors, particularly the foreign tourist. Rajasthan receives a great gift in the

form of Thar Desert where various desert festivals are celebrated to attract

tourists to visit this colorful festival. The major desert cities in Rajasthan are

Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur where Tourism Development Corporation

arranges many desert festivals.


111

The golden city of Jaisalmer, which lies courageously as the western guard of

India, is a place worth visiting. The Jaisalmer fort provides a delicate backdrop

to the annual desert festival. This festival is sponsored by the Rajasthan State

Tourism Corporation, which is a joyful celebration of the traditional performing

arts and creative crafts of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is the place where this desert

festival is celebrated with great passion and enthusiasm. The grand part of

this festival is to enjoy pleasure of a camel ride.14

�� MICE Tourism:

India is a perfect destination for hosting Meetings, Incentives, Conferences

and Exhibitions. This makes MICE tours India very exciting. India offers

excellent business opportunities for business houses such as IT, Medical,

Telecommunications, Tourism, Textiles, Media, Banking, Insurance, Oil and

Petroleum, Sporting and Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture and Food

Products.

With an impressive combination of accommodation and other conference

support amenities, Rajasthan is a perfect venue to hold successful

conferences and business meetings. The state offers a lot of groundwork that

is involved while executing the conferences and business trips successfully.

The hotels and resorts of Rajasthan are good in terms of budget,

accommodation and other basic facilities that make a business trip

successful. The five star hotels, heritage hotels, village resorts and other

venues are equipped with all modern facilities to provide the businessmen

high quality service. Dotted with business hotels and resorts, Rajasthan is

proud for its MICE infrastructure. Some of the Services offered for MICE tours

in Rajasthan include Reception, Hotel Accommodation, Land and Air

Transport, Information and Hospitality and Technical Visits.


Books, Delhi, 2006 Edition, Pg, 231.


112

�� Adventure Tourism:

As a kind of tourism, Adventure Tourism in India is endless because the

country has a rich diversity in terms of climate and topography. The various

kinds of adventure tourism in India are Rock climbing, Skiing, Camel safari,

Para gliding, Mountaineering, Rafting in white water and Trekking. The

various places in India where tourists can go for adventure tourism are

Badami, Kanheri Caves, Manori Rocks and Kabbal for rock climbing. The

state Rajasthan provides a great attraction to foreign and domestic tourists for

adventure tourism in the state. Most of the tourist shows their preference for

adventure activities like Trekking, Horse and Camel Safaris, Polo and Golf.

Apart from the Desert, there are numerous lakes in all over the state where

water sports would be developed in a phased manner. The major water sport

activities are Yachting, Canoeing, Kayaking and Water Sports would be

launched in collaboration with the Department of Sports.

River cruises would be launched in perpetual rivers like Chambal and

possibilities of launching Canal Safaris and Canal Cruises in the Indira Gandhi

Canal would be explored in consultation with authorities of Indira Gandhi

Nahar Project (IGNP). The efforts also made to procure houseboats from the

states of Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala and secure them in big lakes of

Rajasthan under the brand name of Palace-On-Waves. These Houseboats

would have facades in typically Rajasthan style. These activities will not only

provide recreation to the tourists but also help in extending the period of stay

inside the state and would generate a lot of employment opportunities for the

local residents.


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2.5 TOURISM POLICY OF RAJASTHAN

The mission behind formulation of tourism policy in Rajasthan is to ensure

optimum utilization of rich tourism resources of the state, to generate

employment specially in rural areas, to develop market for the rich and varied

handicrafts, to preserve and to accelerate contribution of tourism industry

in socio-economic development of the state by making tourism a truly

People's Industry in Rajasthan. The primary agenda of tourism policy for

government is to promote tourism as a means to ensure sustainable

economic development and positive social change through development of

tourism while preserving and protecting the environment and heritage.

� Rajasthan Tourism Policy 2002:

The State Tourism Policy was released on 27th September, 2001. The main

objectives of this policy is to increase employment opportunities, especially in

rural areas for unemployed rural youth, optimum utilization of rich tourist

resources of the state in order to attract the maximum number of domestic

and international tourists, to facilitate the growth of tourism in the state and

further involving the private sector in the development of tourism in the state,

preservation of rich natural habitat and bio-diversity, historical, architectural

and cultural heritage of Rajasthan, a special emphasis given on conservation

of historical monuments in Rajasthan and to develop a ready market for the

rich and varied handicrafts and cottage industries of Rajasthan.

The main objective of the government, to make tourism a "People's Industry"

in the state is to minimize the negative impacts of tourism and promote

sustainable tourism, to open new areas in tourism like Adventure tourism,

Eco-tourism, Camel/Horse safaris, River and Canal cruise, House boats in

Rajasthan (Palace-On-Waves), Educational Tourism, Caravan Tourism and

Village Tourism.


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The major measures of this tourism policy taken by the government are:

� To develop various areas of tourism infrastructure,

� To increase accommodation facilities and encouraging private

investment in hotel industry,

� To develop Nazool Properties of Heritage Value where these

properties transferred to Department of Tourism for developing them as

tourist museums, complexes and resorts,

� To prepare projects for utilizing land for creating Dharamshalas/ Yatri

Niwas/ Tourist Complexes for promotion of pilgrimage and cultural

tourism,

� To facilitate flow of institutional finance for increasing hotel and tourism

units in Rajasthan,

� To formulate joint ventures between public and private sector for

maintenance and development of valuable properties in many cities of

the state,

� To arrange special Intra-state and Inter-state package tours which

would encourage private tour operators and travel agents,

� To encourage air taxi service and helicopter service by air taxi

operators within the state so that the tourists visiting the state can see

many places within the available time,

� To develop modern well equipped TRC at important entry points and

destinations, for looking the large tourist traffic of domestic and

international tourists,

� To facilitate dissemination of information to the tourists from foreign

and domestic market, the state will produce literature, films, videos and

other materials which is published in many foreign languages such as

French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Arabic and English,

� Make efforts to develop local artisans by advance marketing efforts,

� The government encourage such fairs and festivals which are not

presently popular but have a potential for attracting tourists,

� The effort of the state to select and train appropriate number of guides

at all destinations and tourist circuits within the state,


115

� A State Tourism Advisory Board has been constituted under the

Chairmanship of Chief Minister of Rajasthan to provide policy

guidelines for the development of tourism in the state,

� To redress the grievances of inter-departmental nature a standing

committee under the chairmanship of Secretary Tourism is developed

and

� To encourage many incentives for Hotel Industry in Rajasthan such as

remission in stamp duty, remission in land building tax, exemption in

luxury tax, extension of loans which is received already, interest

subsidy on loans, relief in income tax and many more.

� Rajasthan Tourism Unit Policy 2007:

In the year 2006, the Tourism Department had announced a New Hotel Policy

of Rajasthan. This policy is proposed to be replaced by Rajasthan Tourism

Unit Policy 2007. Rajasthan is one of the leading tourism states of India and

magnificent heritage and colorful culture of the state is a special attraction for

foreign tourists. During the last few years heritage assets used for

development of tourism in all over the state. There has been tremendous

increase in the number of tourists to the state. However Rajasthan is suffering

a keen problem of the infrastructural facilities which have not kept pace.

Presently there are 36,000 rooms available for tourists and by year 2012 an

additional 20,000 hotel rooms would be required for tourists in the state. For

this objective, the state government had announced a New Hotel Policy

proposing in 2006 with several concessions. The concessions in the Hotel

Policy 2006 were to be extended to the star category of hotels only, whereas

several other categories of hotels, heritage hotels and other tourism units

such as camping sites, holiday resorts and restaurants are also providing

accommodation for tourists.

In this regard, Tourism Unit as defined in Rule 1AA of Rajasthan Land

Revenue (Industrial Area Allotment) Rules, 1959, and Rule 2 (r) of Rajasthan

Land Revenue (Conversion of Agricultural Land for Non-Agricultural purpose

in rural areas), Rule, 2007, includes all types of hotels, heritage hotel, holiday


116

resorts etc. In view of the new definition of Tourism Unit, it has become

essential for tourism development not only to include classified hotels in the

Hotel Policy but also include all other category of hotels, heritage hotels and

other tourism units in the New Policy. With this objective Rajasthan New

Tourism Unit Policy 2007 is being announced. The following concessions and

facilities have been made applicable for all types of Tourism Units:

� In Rule 2(r) (d) of Rajasthan Land Revenue (Conversion of Agricultural

Land for Non-Agricultural purposes in Rural areas), Rule, 2007, a

restaurant having investment of Rs. 10.00 Lacs or more, has been

included and investment will be increased to Rs. 1 Crore.

� Considering the new developments taking place in the tourism sector

and the possible need for inclusion of new definitions in the policy to

avail of the benefits, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Principal

Secretary, Urban Governance would define and recommend to the

concerned departments to include such activities as Tourism Units in

applicable rules.

� Health Spa or other medical health related activities such as Yoga and

Meditation attached with Tourism Units, Golf Academy, Golf Course

and other sports related activity would be included in the definition of

Tourism Units in applicable rules.

As per the above definition and interpretation with regard to the Tourism Unit,

the concerned departments would amend their respective rules, sub-rules and

notifications accordingly. The various measures under this tourism policy are:

� Allotment of land for hotels and other Tourism Units,

� Conversion of agricultural land in urban areas,

� Conversion of residential land and heritage properties into hotels and

other tourism units,

� New hotels and tourism units will be fully exempted from land

conversion charges and

� For infrastructural development of all tourism units, Tourism

Department shall work as Nodal Department.


117

The main focus of this tourism policy is on Hotel industries for tourism

because to provide appropriate accommodation and hospitality is the main

source of increasing tourism for the state and increasing revenue from

tourism.


118

2.6 TYPES OF TOURISM SERVICES

The government of Rajasthan has granted status of the industry to tourism

sector in the year 1989 and all the facilities and concession available to

industries in the state would also be available to tourism units in the state as

per rules in force. For the purpose of enhancement of tourism in the state and

providing various benefits to tourists the Government of Rajasthan provides

various services like transportation, tourist information centers and publicity.

Figure 2.2

Types of Tourism Services

Transport services Tourist Reception Centers Tourist

Information & Publicity

Rail Transport Road Transport Air Services

� Transport Service

� Tourist Transport (Rail):

In Rajasthan major destinations are already on the rail map. With conversion

of Meter gauge to Broad gauge connectivity with major tourist entry points has

been greatly enlarged. Efforts will be made to arrange special tourist trains,

with convenient timings to facilitate tourist travel by rail. Broad gauge train

Palace-On-Wheels has already been launched in the year 1996-97 and this

train has proved extremely popular with International tourists and NRIs.

Efforts would be made to launch an economy version of luxurious Palace-On-

Wheels for budget tourists. At present, there are many famous trains run by

Indian Railway with joint effort of RTDC to provide easy and cheapest

convenience by rail to domestic and foreign tourists. The major luxury trains

which attract tourists are the Palace on Wheels, the Fairy Queen, the Royal

Orient and the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.


119

� Road Transport:

Due to inadequate air and rail links, surface transport assumes added

importance in the context of Rajasthan. To upgrade essential road links

external assistance would be sought to augment state plan resources. Air-

conditioned tourist coaches, tourist cars and specially designed non-air-

conditioned sightseeing coaches, as recognized and approved by the

Department of Tourism would be encouraged to work. Special intra-state and

inter-state package tours would be encouraged through private tour operators

and travel agents. On nationalized roots RTDC would enter into joint venture

with interested parties to manage tours and local sightseeing. RTDC would

offer local conducted sightseeing tours at important tourist places in the State.

The government will initiate steps to ensure charging of standard fares by all

surface transport operators from the domestic and international tourists.

Prepaid taxi services would be encouraged in the state. There is a need to

improve the quality of local transport at various tourist destinations. Car taxies

for transportation of tourists will be encouraged. Three wheelers will be

metered and point to point fixed fare will be introduced to reduce over-

charging and harassment of tourists.

� Air Services:

For easy conveyance of tourist the state will encourage air taxi service and

helicopter service by air taxi operators within the state. There are large

number of airstrips and helipads available in all over the state. The RTDC in

collaboration with the State Department of Civil Aviation and District

Collectors would take steps to make use of these air strips and helipads and

would motivate Air Taxi Operators (ATO) to undertake special air tours.

Private sector investment would be encouraged in setting up airports in

Rajasthan. Air Taxi operators (ATOs) would be encouraged to operate civil

aviation services for tourists as feeder/ regional airlines. The RTDC also

explore the feasibility of collaboration with ATOs to promote travel by air.


120

Jaipur Air Port would be developed as an International airport and Ministry of

Tourism and Civil Aviation would be requested to allow special tourist charter

flights to Jaipur. In order to increase volume of high spending foreign tourist

special charter flights would be encouraged. For the purpose of tourist

promotion, collaboration also attempted with tourist promotion boards of

countries like Singapore for setting up an "Air Bridge".

� Tourist Reception Centers (TRC)

Looking to the large tourist traffic of domestic and international tourists, it

becomes increasingly necessary to have modern well equipped TRC at

important entry points and destinations. Apart from TRCs within the state, at

present TRCs are functioning at Delhi, Calcutta and Chennai. New TRCs

would be started at Mumbai and Bangalore and present TRCs at Delhi,

Calcutta and Chennai would be further strengthened and linked by Computer

Network.

Apart from offering tourist information, these TRCs would also make available

confirmed reservation for RTDC hotels and even for private sector hotels

situated within Rajasthan. Information on other details like package tours, fairs

and festivals, paying guest accommodation would also be made available at

this TRCs. Private Commission Agents will be appointed in other cities to

promote tourism from other states. Joint ventures would also be sought with

other Tourist Corporations for opening TRCs outside Rajasthan. Joint sector

ventures like inter-state packages for tourists will also be attempted with other

States and Central Public Sector Corporations, including the Railways,

involved in the tourism trade. These TRCs, especially during the tourist

season, would be operational for 24 hours in the important tourist places like

Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Mount Abu.

� Tourist Information and Publicity

In order to facilitate dissemination of information to the tourists from foreign

and domestic market, the state will origin such literature, films, videos and


121

other material published and produced as is necessary. A multipronged

strategy will be evolved to make optimal use of the media for promoting

Rajasthan as an attraction for tourists. Sufficient literature will also be

distributed to important Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Air-lines and Hotel

groups for discrimination among important people connected with tourism

industry. High quality tourist literature would be published in foreign languages

like French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Arabic and of course

English.

Special efforts would be made for overseas publicity about Rajasthan as a

tourist destination. Private marketing and publicity linkages would be

established with the help of travel agents and tour operators to promote

tourism in Rajasthan in the world tourism market. Special drive would be

launched to publicise tourism highlights of Rajasthan in electronic media with

the help of e-mail, internet and latest means of communication available for e-

commerce. Efforts would be made to device interactive tourism information

packages, online reservation facilities for goods and services in tourism sector

would be made available in public and private sector.


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2.7 AWARDS & APPRECIATION WON BY RAJASTHAN FOR

TOURISM

Rajasthan is emerging as a premier tourism destination in worldwide. It is

emerged as one of the popular tourist destinations in India for both domestic

and foreign tourists. The tourism products offered by Rajasthan are in varied

nature such as Heritage Tourism, Spiritual Tourism, Wild Life & Eco-Tourism,

Cultural Tourism, Film Tourism, MICE Tourism and Desert Tourism. Tourism

occupies a significant place in the state economy as a major source for

revenue and employment. Realizing the importance of tourism in the

economic development, the state government has taken various policy

measures for establishing tourism as an industry. The state government has

been constantly endeavoring towards maximizing benefit of tourism sector.

Rajasthan occupies unique place for tourism in India and various measures

has been taken by Ministry of Tourism and Government of Rajasthan to

improve tourism in state and due to various measures for tourism in state,

Rajasthan won various National awards for tourism.

Table 2.1

National Tourism Awards

Types of Awards Nature of Awards Year

National Tourism

Awards

Best State/UT (Tourism related

programmes) Rest of India 2007-08

National Tourism

Awards

Best State/UT (Tourism related

programmes) Rest of India 2008-09

National Tourism

Awards Best State – Rest of India – Third Prize 2009-10

National Tourism

Awards15

Best Tourism Promotion Publicity

Material (States and UTs) – Joint winner 2009-10

15 Ministry of Tourism, National Tourism Awards.


123

Table 2.2

There are various Awards won by the Department of Rajasthan for Best

Tourism Literature and Excellent Exhibition:

Event Date Prize

TTF, Kolkata 14 - 17 Aug, 2003 Best Pavilion

ITTM, Bangalore 19 - 21 July, 2003 Runner up for Best Pavilion

ITTM, New Delhi 26 - 28, September, 2003 Group Participation

Appreciation and awards given by different special

personals/institutions for departmental activities and schemes:

� Ministry of Tourism, GOI awarded Rajasthan State in "Best State"

category for award of "Excellence in National Tourism Award".

� Department has won ''Best Decorative Stall'' award for Travel and

Tourism Fair - 2009 organized at Ahmadabad between 31st July to 2nd

August, 2009.

� "Best Decorative Stall" award was given in the Travel and Tourism Fair

held at Surat from 7 - 9 August, 2009.

� The Department begged the award for "Best Poster (Teej Festival

Poster)" in the Annual Convention of Indian Association of Tour

Operators held at Bangalore from 3 - 6 September, 2009.

� Ministry of Tourism, GOI awarded Rajasthan State in "Best State"

category in first week of March, 2010 for award of "Excellence in

National Tourism Award" for the year 2008 - 09.

� Department "Rajasthan Tourism" has won "Favorite Indian State

Award" in “Conde Nast Readers Travel Award - 2010" function

organized on 28th April, 2010 in Mumbai.

� "Best Tourism Destination Awareness Award" was given in the India

Travel Mart - 2010 held at New Delhi from 26 - 27 August, 2010.

CHAPTER 2

2.8 STATISTICS FOR TOURISM IN RAJASTHAN

� Arrival of Domestic Tourists in Rajasthan from 2001 to 2010

Year

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

[Source: www.rajasthantourism.gov.in

The Table 2.3 shows figures

year 2001 to 2010. As above table shows that from the year 2001 to 2003

arrival of domestic tou

0

5000000

10000000

15000000

20000000

25000000

30000000

Arr

iva

l o

f D

om

es

tic

To

uri

sts

in

Ra

jas

tha

n

Arrival of Domestic Tourists in Rajasthan

ABOUT RAJASTHAN TOURISM & RTDC

124

STATISTICS FOR TOURISM IN RAJASTHAN

Table 2.3

Arrival of Domestic Tourists in Rajasthan from 2001 to 2010

Arrival of Domestic

Tourists in Rajasthan

Percentage

Over The Year

7757217

8300190 6.99

12545135 51.14

16033896 27.81

18787298 17.17

23483287 25.00

25920529 10.38

28358918 9.41

25558691 -9.87

25543877 -0.06

www.rajasthantourism.gov.in]

Graph 2.1

The Table 2.3 shows figures of domestic tourists arrival in Rajasthan from the


arrival of domestic tourists is increasing from 77.57 Lacs to 125.45 L

0

5000000

10000000

15000000

20000000

25000000

30000000

77.57 83.00125.45

160.34187.87

234.83259.20

283.59

Year



Arrival of Domestic Tourists in Rajasthan from 2001 to 2010

Percentage (%) Changes

Over The Year

-

6.99

51.14

27.81

17.17

25.00

10.38

9.41

9.87

0.06

of domestic tourists arrival in Rajasthan from the


rists is increasing from 77.57 Lacs to 125.45 Lacs. As

283.59255.58 255.44



125

this statistical data shows that in this year more number of domestic tourists

visits the state Rajasthan because of heritage and pilgrimage tourism in the

state. But from the year 2004 to 2010 these statistics shows decreasing

trends and reaches to negative from 27.81 per cent to -0.06 per cent because

of high infrastructure cost, less safety at tourists places, lack of tourists

facilities at tourists places and lack of governmental and local people support

to enhance domestic tourism. Hence above statistical shows that the state

governments needs to take effective measures so that domestic tourists traffic

increase which increase revenue for government, increase employability rate

for local people and increase standard of living.

Table 2.4

� Arrival of Foreign Tourists in Rajasthan from 2001 to 2010

Year Arrival of Foreign

Tourists in Rajasthan

Percentage (%)

Changes Over The Year

2001 608283 -

2002 428437 -29.57

2003 628560 46.71

2004 971772 54.60

2005 1131164 16.40

2006 1220164 7.87

2007 1401042 14.82

2008 1477646 5.47

2009 1073414 -27.36

2010 1278523 19.11

[Source: www.rajasthantourism.gov.in]

CHAPTER 2

The Table 2.4 shows statistics of foreign tourists arrival in the state which

shows fluctuating trends from the year 2001 to 2010. As many years of above

statistics shows high rate of foreign tourists arrival in the state because of

various types of tourism

spiritual tourism, desert tourism and rural tourism. Most of foreign tourists are

attracted to the state Rajasthan because of its culture, tradition,

traditions, fairs and festivals, handicrafts, art and

foreign tourists figures shows that due to

lack of safety at tourists places, poor infrastructure and lack of publicity gives

adverse effects to tourists arrival which result in decreasing ra

employability for local tourists guide and tour operators, decrease in foreign

exchange earnings from tourism and less development of local traditional

handicrafts and business. Hence it is keen requirement for government and

private bodies to take i

foreign tourists arrival goes high.

200000400000600000800000

1000000120000014000001600000

Arr

iva

l o

f F

ore

ign

To

uri

sts

in

R

aja

sth

an

Arrival of Foreign Tourists in Rajasthan


126

Graph 2.2

2.4 shows statistics of foreign tourists arrival in the state which



various types of tourism offered by Rajasthan such as heritage tourism,


attracted to the state Rajasthan because of its culture, tradition,

traditions, fairs and festivals, handicrafts, art and music. As declining trends of

foreign tourists figures shows that due to Increase in shopping malpractices,


adverse effects to tourists arrival which result in decreasing ra




private bodies to take initiatives to enhance tourism in the state so that rate of

foreign tourists arrival goes high.

0200000400000600000800000

1000000120000014000001600000

6.084.28

6.28

9.7211.3112.20

14.0114.78

Year

Arrival of Foreign Tourists in Rajasthan


2.4 shows statistics of foreign tourists arrival in the state which



such as heritage tourism,


attracted to the state Rajasthan because of its culture, tradition, customs and

music. As declining trends of

in shopping malpractices,


adverse effects to tourists arrival which result in decreasing rate of




nitiatives to enhance tourism in the state so that rate of

14.78

10.7312.78


127

Table 2.5

City Wise Domestic Tourists Arrival in Rajasthan from 2001 to 2010

Places 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Mount Abu 1282940 1072879 1302980 1467618 1414672 1535984 646524 1779135 2067327 1916836

Udaipur 662826 471576 440702 460774 566076 582504 578643 572415 547102 582297 Jaipur 655715 589414 640130 968123 198000 1278603 1287072 1138859 995996 1133543

Pushkar 865000 1161859 937850 1065703 1523600 1762700 1749240 1820090 1745040 1965382 Jodhpur 383479 335700 403548 469626 385109 429497 453775 493717 427532 445271

Ajmer 1269309 1334557 970255 1125421 1515960 1701000 1985600 2067475 1977605 2585110

Jaisalmer 103319 96642 132881 182292 177238 204776 211928 228859 248712 274885 Nathdwara 319159 312200 316001 352197 573447 605650 633537 599338 546700 567485 Chittorgarh 120390 230200 147829 261895 254988 289531 334901 324996 404075 393970 Bhartpur 101181 61361 70336 73691 87427 70140 63253 42902 41689 46962

Bikaner 185645 165407 181654 177898 197275 214716 224089 235206 244547 275191

Ranakpur 61535 244436 175811 270687 224668 225277 848184 675837 590115 614023 Kota 62438 77120 78988 86478 90946 98319 104059 100227 107358 97971

S.Madhopur 50598 48632 41688 93960 123685 250390 261325 321500 230397 59700

Jhunjhunun 76446 83874 84085 90666 92680 104487 102091 101139 111117 115577 Banswara 115101 108916 126538 107677 115664 112492 116675 117480 106682 96964

Alwar 100995 119456 176209 196132 220225 281078 227528 71849 54765 53313 Sariska 11817 11277 7331 7495 9770 11255 12787 13977 13383 19752

Rishabhdeo 8200 22930 94695 126114 209050 279352 120045 145907 2881 3830 Bundi 20911 11811 17041 14296 21582 24332 34781 50406 55150 53867

Sikar 6382 33717 36200 40237 41991 44275 44600 46870 47949 48804 Siliserh 1843 1669 1540 1684 2039 1758 1663 1609 1710 2090

Baharor 3799 4202 4957 5550 7507 9486 10148 10170 13047 7653

Jhalawar 174262 156652 96941 113202 125361 132091 184987 133337 95818 96012

Other Spots 1113927 1543703 6058945 8274480 9608338 13233594 14683094 17265618 14881994 14087389

Total 7757217 8300190 12545135 16033896 18787298 23483287 25920529 28358918 25558691 25543877


128

Table 2.6

City Wise Foreign Tourists Arrival in Rajasthan from 2001 to 2010

Places 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Mount Abu 13752 8483 9460 11213 14377 14590 14483 14210 15565 13607

Udaipur 56760 101303 15692 198556 173804 188026 160627 185261 165210 173016

Jaipur 172950 81451 105161 206272 387295 441910 464841 456165 283423 368512

Pushkar 46182 28413 31190 43980 63312 73573 76956 86030 75155 79682

Jodhpur 69812 38565 64928 100161 90201 93847 123056 123942 73080 108073

Ajmer 54040 51230 5422 11415 15139 16494 17513 25796 22517 25731

Jaisalmer 46914 25862 50768 81208 99439 117740 128675 135329 98652 113520 Nathdwara 562 3440 623 5468 629 147 115 70 71 115 Chittorgarh 7552 5312 7607 9827 12868 23663 25595 25789 42787 33719

Bhartpur 9553 5181 8949 33525 24052 20145 17355 18816 23052 30360 Bikaner 31441 17060 28081 48712 61123 65347 74961 77068 59857 74508

Ranakpur 24144 13296 10261 17612 19102 16464 120527 58272 81758 107950

Kota 1991 1352 1671 2594 4205 3994 4440 4550 2732 3450

S.Madhopur 10064 6185 6965 17413 29098 26895 40958 47380 39810 41400 Jhunjhunun 33751 17401 26528 42963 50604 44904 44685 45943 45121 54911

Banswara 273 227 3842 3778 210 214 60 99 51 44 Alwar 3334 3659 7553 9854 14621 13089 16693 20311 15957 14322

Sariska 12351 3633 1090 1497 5372 4241 5535 5610 3212 4737 Rishabhdeo 60 1690 3297 991 4 2 0 0 0 0

Bundi 4334 4000 6916 5516 7866 9072 10665 13244 13695 16188 Sikar 295 198 239 221 356 236 202 193 171 193

Siliserh 120 69 61 62 115 69 47 81 45 30

Baharor 36 7 7 3 50 97 597 117 24 42 Jhalawar 72 103 51 89 108 136 168 209 141 215

Other Spots 7940 10317 85346 118842 57214 45269 52293 33161 11328 14198 Total 608283 428437 628560 971772 1131164 1220164 1401042 1477646

1073414 1244919


129

RAJASTHAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Ltd.

(A Government of Rajasthan Undertakings)


130

2.9 INTRODUCTION

The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (RTDC) is a

company registered under Companies Act 1956 with its head quarter at

Jaipur. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (RTDC) was

incorporated on 24th November, 1978 as a wholly owned Government

Company to promote tourism in the state of Rajasthan and to cater incoming

foreign and domestic tourists by way of providing accommodation, catering,

transport, package tour and bar facilities.

The state Government has initiated the development of hotel infrastructure by

establishing RTDC hotels at all the major tourist centers in Rajasthan. In order

to cater the needs and requirements of incoming tourists, the state

government has provided financial support to the developmental activities of

RTDC. The Central Government also provides financial assistance for the

tourism development projects under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

Since the inception of RTDC, the tourism industry in the state got a forward

motion. The tourism sector in the state has progressed well with the diverse

products, launched by the Tourism Department. RTDC has tried to achieve its

objectives by establishing a network of tourist accommodation in all the

important tourist centers, providing the midway, cafeterias and yatrikas

facilities along the important national highways and the major link roads.

RTDC is also a player of foreign exchange earnings through operating various

heritage trains such as Palace on Wheels (POW) and Royal Rajasthan on

Wheels (RROW) in the state. RTDC portrays role of a developer, facilitator

and catalyst in the development of tourism industry of the state. The RTDC

works with major motive of R – Respect, T – Trustworthiness D – Dedication

and C – Care in the state.

RTDC acts as a catalyst to establish, develop and executes project and

scheme that accelerate tourism in the state by managing numerous

restaurants, cafeterias, motels and bars. To enhance the experience of the

tourists the corporation also organizes package tours, fairs, festivals and


131

entertainment, shopping and transport services. RTDC through its well

established marketing network in India and abroad plays a vital role in

promoting the tourism in impact services markets at domestic and

international level. RTDC has successful history of Public Private Partnership

(PPP) in Jal Mahal Tourism Project with 100 acres of land at the threshold of

Jaipur City in which a multi component tourism product having hotels,

convention centre for above 1500 people with food courts, craft bazaar and

recreational centre are in course of implementation. Yet another successful

PPP is done for Tijara Fort, a Nazool Property of Government of Rajasthan.

RTDC gives the opportunity to experience the charm of the most exotic

destination of Rajasthan in most refined lodging and cuisine at budgeted

price.


132

2.10 OBJECTIVES & FUNCTIONS OF RTDC

The main duty of the Corporation is to develop tourism in Rajasthan and

provide better facilities and infrastructure to tourists of inland as well as

international.

(A) Main objectives of RTDC behind incorporation are:

� To establish, develop, promote, execute, operate and otherwise carry

on projects, schemes, business activities, which in the opinion of the

corporation are likely to facilitate or accelerate the development of

tourism in the state of Rajasthan both internal as well as international.

� To construct, run and maintain Tourist Information Bureau and Centers

in the state of Rajasthan and outside both within and outside the

country.

� To acquire and take over from the Government of Rajasthan all assets

belonging to it and situate at any place within or outside the state of

Rajasthan and which were being or are being or can be used in any

manner whatsoever in connection with any activity or enterprise

relating to tourism together with the liabilities, if any, thereof in

particular to take over all tourist homes, tourist bungalows, holiday

camps, travelers bungalows, State Guest Houses, Motels, Dak

Bungalows, Circuit Houses Camping and caravanning sites, pavilions

and dormitories, together with the catering establishments attached

thereto.

� To acquire by purchase, lease or otherwise howsoever, maintain and

develop all places of tourist interest like wild life sanctuaries, parks,

beauty and recreational spots in the state of Rajasthan.

� To establish and manage transport units, travel and transport counters,

import, purchase, lease, sell and run or otherwise operate cars, cabs,

buses, coaches, trucks, launches, rope-ways, air-crafts, helicopters

and other modes of transport.

� To provide entertainment by way of cultural shows, dances, music

concerts, film shows, sports and games and other forms of

entertainment.


133

� To promote tourism by all ways and means and to adopt such methods

and devices desirable and necessary to attract tourists both Indian and

foreign in large numbers.

(B) The other ancillary objects incidental to the attainment of the main

objects of RTDC are:

� To plan and execute schemes for Development of Tourist Complex and

tourist resorts and promote and operate anywhere schemes for

development of tourism and for the purpose, to operate and get

prepared reports, blue prints statistics and other information.

� To start, operate and promote establishments, undertaking, enterprises

and activities of any description whatsoever which in the opinion of the

company are likely to facilitate or accelerate the development of

tourism.

� To act as travel agents for airlines, railways, shipping companies and

road transport operators.

� To acquire by purchase or lease land for the purpose of development

and sell or otherwise dispose of the same to agencies connected with

development of tourism.

� To enter in to agreements and contracts with Indian or foreign

individuals, companies or other organizations for technical, financial

and other assistance for carrying out all or any of the objects of the

Corporation.

� To establish and administer Hotel Development Fund for the purpose

of rendering financial and other assistance to persons establishing

hotels, motels, travelers and lodges in Tourist Centers.


134

2.11 ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE OF RTDC

Table 2.7

Board of Directors of RTDC

1 Smt. Usha

Sharma

Chairman and Managing Director,

Rajasthan Tourism Development

Corporation Ltd.

Chairman and

Managing

Director

2 Smt. Usha

Sharma

Principal Secretary &

Commissioner, Tourism

Department, Rajasthan, Jaipur.

Director

3 Kiran Soni

Gupta

Principal Secretary to Government, of

Rajasthan, Department of General

Administration, Jaipur.

Director

4 Dr. Manjeet

Singh

Managing Director, Rajasthan State

Road Transport Corporation, Jaipur. Director

5 Shri Y.S.

Mathur

Secretary to Government of Rajasthan

Finance Department (Budget),

Jaipur.

Director

6 Shri R.N.

Mehrotra

Principal Chief Conservator of

Forest, Government of Rajastjan,

Jaipur.

Director

[Source: Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Manual of

Information, 2010, (Under Right to Information Act, 2005), 2010 Edition,

Pg.10]

Chart 2.1

ORGANIZATION CHART OF RTDC


135


136

2.12 SERVICES PROVIDED BY RTDC

In Rajasthan, RTDC provides various types of services to facilitate all

domestic and foreign tourists so that corporation can enhance its role in

tourism sector and increase revenue for corporation and government. The

major services provided by RTDC are:

� RTDC Chain of Hotels and Motels,

� Package Tours - Rajasthan Bhraman,

� Pink - city by Night tour (Jaipur),

� City Sight Seeing,

� Boating,

� Luxury Trains - Palace on Wheel & Royal Rajasthan on Wheels,

� Fairs & Festivals,

� Sound & Light Show and

� Camping in Fairs.

� Hotels Under RTDC:

Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (RTDC) is a well

established brand name in tourism industry, operating 33 hotels, 10 motels

and 1 restaurant in Rajasthan. RTDC also set up Tourist Villages during

important fairs and festivals to provide cultural tourism experience. RTDC has

classified its properties in various categories such as:

* Heritage * Classic * Comfort * Motels * Wildlife Resorts * Tourist Villages.

The hotels of RTDC are strategically situated with its praise presence in the

state. Motels offer a refreshing break on the important state and National

Highways. Hotels and motels provide an experience of Rajasthan with safety

and security to the traveler. Variety of rooms such as suite, AC and non-AC,

standard and tents provide rests to traveler. These hotels serve variety of

North and South Indian dishes, Continental and Chinese cuisine along with

traditional Rajasthani dishes. The RTDC hotels and motels are recently

renovated and upgraded to provide better facilities and services such as new

furnishings, furniture and linen to the guests. The hotels and motels are


137

standardized for categorization in three to one star and heritage category.

These hotels provide facilities of travel counters, shopping arcades, indoors

and out door games for children and city sight seeing tours which make the

stay in RTDC hotel a complete experience. The various hotels under RTDC in

different cities are as follows:

Table 2.8

Hotels, Motels and Midways under RTDC in Different Cities

District Place Hotels

Ajmer Ajmer Hotel Khadim, Near Savitri College, Civil Lines,

Ajmer

Pushkar Hotel Sarovar, Near Pushkar Lake, Pushkar, Ajmer

Pushkar Pushkar Hotel Tourist Village, Gonehara-Nagaur

Road, Pushkar, Ajmer

Alwar Alwar Hotel Meenal, Near Circuit House, Topsingh Circle,

Alwar

Sariska Hotel Tiger Den, Near Forest Rest House, Sariska,

Alwar

Siliserh Hotel Lake Palace, Silisherh Circle, Silisherh, Alwar

Behror Motel Behror, Jaipur-Delhi NH 8, Behror

Barmer Barmer Hotel Khartal, Near Circuit House, Barmer

Bharatpur Bharatpur Hotel Saras, Saras Choraha, Agra Road, Bharatpur

Mahuwa Jaipur-Agra NH 11, Mahuwa

Bhilwara Gulabpura Motel Gulabpura, Gulabpura (On lease)

Menal Cafeteria RTDC, Menal (On lease)

Bikaner Bikaner Hotel Dhola Maru, Nr. Puran Singh Circle, Bikaner.

Bundi Bundi Hotel Vrindawati, Doblana Road, Opp. Jait Sagar,

Bundi

Chittorgarh Chittorgarh Hotel Panna, Pratap Nagar Road, Near Railway

Station, Chittorgarh

Churu Churu Hotel Chirmi, Near Housing Board Colony, Churu

Ratangarh Motel, Jaipur-Bikaner NH 11, Ratangarh


138

Dausa Dausa Motel RTDC, Jaipur-Agra NH 11, Dausa

Mahuwa Motel RTDC, Jaipur-Agra NH 11, Mahuwa

Dholpur Dholpur Motel Dholpur, Agra-Gwalior NH, Dholpur

Dungarpur Ratanpur Motel, Udaipur-Ahmedabad NH 8, Ratanpur

Jaipur Jaipur

Hotel Swagatam, Opp. Railway Station, Jaipur

Hotel Teej, Opp. Moti Mahal Cinema, Bani-park,

Jaipur

Hotel Gangaur, Near Khasa Kothi, M.I. Road,

Jaipur

Tourist Hotel, Opp. G.P.O., M.I. Road Jaipur

Nahargarh Nahargarh Hotel Durg Café, Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur

Ramgarh Hotel Jheel Tourist Village, Near Lake Ramgarh,

Jaipur

Shahpura Motel RTDC, Jaipur-Delhi NH 8, Shahpura

Jaisalmer Jaisalmer Hotel Moomal, Sam Road, Jaisalmer

Sam Hotel Sam Dhani, Sam, Jaisalmer

Pokaran Motel Pokaran, Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Road, Pokaran

Jhalawar Jhalawar

Hotel Chandrawati, Patan Road, N.H. No. 12,

Jhalawar

Hotel Gabri Talab, Dak Bunglow, Bhawani Mandi

Road, Jhalawar.

Jhunjhunu Jhunjhunu RTDC Hotel, Mandawa Circle, Jhunjhunu

Jodhpur Jodhpur Hotel Ghoomar, High Court Road, Jodhpur

Kota Kota Hotel Chambal, Near Chatravilas Park, Nayapura,

Kota

Nagaur Nagaur Hotel Kurja, Nagaur

Merta Motel RTDC, Merta (closed)

Pali Pali Hotel Panihari, NH-14, Sumer Road, Pali

Ranakpur Hotel Shilpi, Near Jain Temple, Ranakpur

Barr Motel RTDC, Ajmer-Jodhpur Road, Barr

Rajsamand Nathdwara Hotel Gokul, Near Lal bagh, Nathdwara

Hotel Yatrika, Nathuvas, Nathdwara

Devgarh Motel RTDC, Rajsamand-Ajmer Road, Devgarh


139

� Package Tours:

RTDC acts as an apex body for tourism in the state which establish, develop

and execute project and scheme that accelerate tourism in the state. The

RTDC arrange and manage numerous package tours, fairs, festivals and

entertainment, shopping and transport services to tourist for entertainment.

RTDC through its well established marketing network in India and abroad

plays a vital role in promoting the tourism which gives positive impact to

services markets at domestic and International level. RTDC provides various

types of tours like Religious Tours, Rajasthan Darshan, Pearls of Rajasthan,

Best of Wild life Packages, Rajasthan Packages, Desert Circuits, Best of

Rajasthan, Exotic Rajasthan, Desert Package, Aravali Packages, Rajasthan

Exclusive with Pushkar, Best of Rajasthan II, Wild life Packages and wild life

Packages II. RTDC also provides various packages for students at a

reasonable charge.

� Luxury Trains – Palace on Wheel & Royal Rajasthan on Wheels:

�� Palace on Wheels:

Under the joint venture between RTDC, Indian Railways, Department of

Tourism, Government of India and Rajasthan, a train named Palace on

Wheels was started in 1982 and then in September, 1995 new Broad Gauge

POW was introduced. Now the same train is running in joint collaboration of

Indian Railways and RTDC with revenue sharing of 56:44 respectively.

Sawai

Madhopur

Sawai

Madhopur

Hotel Jhoomar Baori, Ranthambhor Road, Sawai

Madhopur

Hotel Vinayak, Sawai Madhopur

Fatehpur Hotel Haveli, NH-11, Near SDM Court, Fatehpur

Uaipur Udaipur Hotel Kajri, Shastri Circle, Udaipur

Rishabdev Hotel Gavri, Udaipur-Ahmedabad Road,Reshabdev


140

�� Royal Rajasthan on Wheels:

Building on the success of the “Palace of Wheels”, a new luxury Train “Royal

Rajasthan on Wheels” has been introduced by RTDC. Total capacity of the

Train will be 82. The ‘Royal Rajasthan on Wheels’ is a joint venture of the

Ministry of Railways, Government of India and Rajasthan Tourism

Development Corporation Ltd., supported by the Department of Tourism,

Government of India.

� Fairs & Festivals:

Festivals hold an unusual experience for the people of Rajasthan and they

find many numbers of reasons to celebrate these festivals. Some of these

occasions for celebrations have been recently introduced by the Rajasthan

Tourism Department Corporation Ltd. to showcase the heritage of the region.

While traveling in the state, tourists will come across a number of local fairs

and festivals in which they can participate. However, some of the larger and

more important celebrations are listed below:

� Pushkar Fair,

� Chandrabhaga Fair,

� Teej Mahotsav,

� Desert Festival,

� Nagaur Fair,

� Kotal Dussehra Festival and

� Gangaur Festival.


141

2.13 MARKETING AGENTS OF RTDC

RTDC working successfully through its well establish network in India and in

abroad. There are many marketing agents of RTDC who are engage with

corporation and they provide their valuable services to domestic and foreign

tourist in the state and also in India at reasonable charges. The major

marketing agents of RTDC are as follows:

Table 2.9

Marketing Agents of RTDC

Ahmadabad

Dangari Desert Safari Holiday

Ground floor Hemkoot Complex,

Opp. Capital Commercial Centre,

Ashram Road, Ahmadabad.

Hyderabad

Dharani Travel Service

3-6-369 Sanatana Ecstasy, 4th Floor,

Near TTD Street No. 1, Liberty,

Hyderabad - 500029

Aurangabad

Heramb Travels

7, Age Arcade (1st Floor), Near

Eknath Rang Mandir, Osamnpur,

Aurangabad-431005

Thane-Maharastra

Sudarshana Travels

201, Taskar House, Ram Murti Road,

Naupada,

Thane (W) Maharastra - 400602

Bangalore

Jagdish Air Travels Pvt. Ltd.

# 11 Sankey Road,

Bangalore - 560020

Pune

Aumkar Tours & Travels

Nadan Pride,opp. Carve Statue Shop

No. 1

Karve Road, Kothrud, Pune - 400029

Chennai

Travel Times (India) Pvt. Ltd.

11, Club House Road, Anna Salai,

Chennai - 600002

Pune

Simas Travels

Painter Bedekar Building Vijay

Talkies Chowk, Near Pankaj Music

House, Laxmi Road, Pune - 411030

Chennai

M/s Travel House

Tarapor House,

Kolkata

Khaitan Air Travels

Chitrakoot Building, 230A, A.J.C.


142

826, Anna Salai

Chennai - 600 003

Bose Road, 6th Floor, Room # 62-63,

Kolkata - 700020

Chennai

M/s Sugal Tourism Development (P)

Ltd.

#26-27, Poonamallee High Road,

Ground Floor, +*/Next to Royal

Regency Hotel, Periamet,

Chennai - 600 003

Kolkata

Himal Chura Travels & Tours

P-263, C.I.T. Road, Scheme IV-M,

Kolkata - 700010

Chennai

M/s Sugal Tourism Development (P)

Ltd.

#26-27, Poonamallee High Road,

Ground Floor, +*/Next to Royal

Regency Hotel, Periamet,

Chennai - 600 003

Kolkata

Daimond Tours and Travels

155 Lenin sarani Nigam Cinter 2nd

Floor,

Suite No, 2-F Kolkata - 700013

Delhi

Lakshya Tours & Travels

20, D/3/1A Opp. Govind Gali,

Babarpur, Shadara, Delhi-110032

Marketing office: C-3/ 341, Yamuna

Vihar, Delhi - 110053

Kolkata

Parjatakguru Tours & Travels (P) Ltd.

P-899, Lake Town,

Block "A" 1st Floor,

Kolkata - 700089

New Delhi

Viva Holidays Tours & Travels Pvt.

Ltd.

G-36, DDA Commercial Complex,

(Triveni), Shekh Sarai, Phase Ist,

New Delhi - 110017

Kolkata

Link India Tours & Travels

8/2, B.B.D. Bagh (East) Ground Floor,

Kolkata - 700001.

Delhi

M/s Hamara Holiday Pvt. Ltd.

143- Gagan Vihar Extension,

Delhi - 110051

Kolkata

Poorva Travels

183/2, Lenin Sarini 1st Floor,

Kolkata - 700017

Delhi Mumbai


143

M/s Rajender Tourist

24/47, 100 Ft. Road, Near Shiv

Mandir,

Chhajjupur, Shahdra,

Delhi - 110032

Suyash Tours

L.J. Business Center, 364, N.C.

Kelkar Road

Behind Lazaree & PNB Bank, Dadar

(W) Mumbai - 28

Mumbai

DDS Holidays

48/50, Mint Road

Above R.K. Chemist

Sunder Bhai Niwas, 1st Floor

Room No. 2 Fort (Mumbai) - 400001

Mumbai

Lohana's Tours & Travels

Brahma Krupa, Kamla Nehru Cross

Road No. 2, Near fire Brigade

Kandivli (W)

Mumbai - 400067

Mumbai

Travelers Paradise,

D-137, Govthan,

Near Jain Temple Chembur,

Mumbai - 400 071

Pune

Shiva Datta Travels

15, Murli Dhar Kunj, Lane No. 10,

Dahanukar Colony, Kothrud,

Pune - 411038

Mumbai

Marwar Travels

Shop no. 1, Padmavati Tower, Balaji

Nagar, Station Road, Bhayandar (W),

District Thane, Maharashtra - 401101


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2.14 REFERENCES

1. A. K. Raina, Dr. S. K. Agarwal, “The Essence of Tourism Development:

Dynamics, Philosophy, and Strategies”, Sarup & Sons Publications,

New Delhi, 2004.

2. Akshay Kumar, “Tourism Management”, Commonwealth Publishers,

New Delhi, 1997.

3. A. Satish Babu, “Tourism Development in India: A Case Study”, A.P.H.

Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, 2008.

4. Asif Iqbal Fazili, S Husain Ashra, “Tourism in India: Planning and

Development”, Sarup & Sons Publications, New Delhi, 2006.

5. Bijender K. Punia, “Tourism Management: Problems and Prospectus”,

A P H Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, 2008.

6. Jagdish Verma, “Dynamics of Indian Tourism – Issues and

Challenges”, Cyber Tech Publications, New Delhi, 1st Edition, 2007.

7. K.K. Sharma, “Tourism and Economic Development”, Sarup & Son’s

Publications, New Delhi, 1st Edition, 2004.

8. K.K. Sharma, “Tourism and Hospitality”, Sarup & Sons Publications,

New Delhi, 1st Edition, 2003.

9. Lambert M Surhone, Mariam T Tennoe, Susan F Henssonow,

“Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation”, VDM Verlag Dr.

Mueller AG & Co. Kg Publications, 2010.

10. L.K. Singh, “Fundamentals of Tourism and Travel”, Isha Books

Publication, Delhi, 2008.

11. Prakash Talwar, “Travel and Tourism Management – Volume 2”, Isha

Books, Delhi, 2006.

12. Rabondra Seth and Om Gupta, “Tourism in India – An Overview”,

Volume – 1, Kalpaz Publications, New Delhi, 2005.

13. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Manual of

Information, (Under Right to Information Act, 2005), 2010.

14. R.K. Goswami, “Tourism and Environment”, Cyber Tech Publications,

New Delhi, 1st Edition, 2007.


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15. R.K. Malhotra, “Nature and Tourism”, Cyber Tech Publications, New

Delhi, 1st Edition, 2006.

16. Sagar Singh, “Studies in Tourism – Key Issue for Effective

Management”, APH Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, 1st Edition,

1999.

17. Sanchey Maviya, “Tourism Leisure and Recreation”, Isha Books

Publications, Delhi, 2005.

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