Unit – 1 Tourism : i) Purpose and Scope

ii) Place of tourism in modern life

Unit – 2 Importance of tourism : Economic, Social, Educational,

Cultural and Political importanc

Tourism_ -------- Tourism is the travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes or, Tourism is the activity of a person or persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one conductive year.

Purpose --------- Why do you have tourism ? we need tourism so that it helps the country to develop it by means of earning money and also by developing our infra structure for our future tourism.

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Tourism of India

Tourism of India has armed the country with immense potential of development, recognition, and livelihood. After Independence, the focus of Indian government was solely on industrial and economic development. However, in the 20th century, India became a popular name on the world map with the recognition of amazing locations to explore. The second half of 20th century saw the country scaling to great heights in terms of tourism activities. International tourists have well recognized the potential of Indian tourism industry. The rich culture and tradition of India contributed in making the country a prominent name among global places of visit. With the Asian subcontinent displaying much variation in landscape, religion, and traditions, India has become a lively place of visit.

Tourism of India has armed the country with immense potential of development, recognition, and livelihood. After Independence, the focus of Indian government was solely on industrial and economic development. However, in the 20th century, India became a popular name on the world map with the recognition of amazing locations to explore. The second half of 20th century saw the country scaling to great heights in terms of tourism activities. International tourists have well recognized the potential of Indian tourism industry. The rich culture and tradition of India contributed in making the country a prominent name among global places of visit. With the Asian subcontinent displaying much variation in landscape, religion, and traditions, India has become a lively place of visit.

The urban and cosmopolitan cities of Kolkata, Chennai, New Delhi, and Mumbai features distinct landmarks, clubs,

discotheques, and other centers of entertainment. New Delhi is the capital city and invites leisure and business

tourists throughout the year. Important city landmarks in Delhi include Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhavan,

Parliament House, Lotus Temple, and India Gate.

Pilgrimage is another important aspect of tourism in India. With tourisminindia.com, explore the various pilgrimage

centers, temples, churches, mosques, and other religious institutions. Similarly, you can plan India travel to places of

religious importance. Undertake Buddhist tours to Sikkim, Darjeeling, Himachal Pradesh, Tibet, and Nepal.

It is hard to understand the geographical richness of the country until you are going for a beach holiday or

honeymoon to the hill stations. The prominent hill stations of India are great places of tourist activities. Himachal

Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Darjeeling, Leh and Ladakh have wonderful resorts, opportunities for adventure sports, and

trekking experiences. The first thought of beach tourism in India takes you to Goa. Goa has at least 18 beaches

featuring beach parties, sports, food, and fun.

Being part of the festivals in India is another reason why tourism in India is flourishing in the states. Every small town

and village has some distinct celebrations reserved for the community residing there. Shimla and Manali have

Dusshera celebrated with spirits. Check out the calendar events in India on Indian Holiday before making your plan to

travel India.

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With a civilization that is over 5000 years old, India's cultural heritage is diverse, rich and unique. What is unusual is that it has absorbed, adopted, adapted, and yet maintained its unique identity. India has always attracted visitors, be it invaders or traders. Over the years, each have left behind their unique traditions which are reflected in every aspect of Indian culture, be it art, dance, drama, music, architecture, language, cuisine or religion. The West coast was visited by the Persians and the Europeans, who came to trade in spices and textiles. In the North, rulers from Central Asia plundered India for her wealth and stayed back to savour her many pleasures and beauty. The Mughals came as invaders, later the British came as traders. Both stayed on to rule for many years and left a lasting impact on Indian culture and traditions.The many influences reflect in the mix of races and religions found in the country. The birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, India has gracefully embraced Islam, Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Judaism. The influence of each religion and race is reflected in the sculpture, architecture, monuments, art, and languages (over 100 dialects) of the sub-continent.Today modernisation and tradition co-exist, making Indian culture opulent, complex, magical and truly cosmopolitan. The country has seen a revival of the arts. Age-old crafts are being resurrected. In dance and music the ancient guru-shisya concept - whereby students live with and serve the teacher - is still followed. Indian festivals, associated with mythology and the seasons, are moments of gaiety, fun and celebration. In architecture and crafts, trained Indian designers are seeking out old masters to recreate old techniques to revive traditions that have been losing out because of the use of modern materials. Indians are rediscovering the quality and sensibilities of local art forms which are best suited to its climate. Also seeing a revival is India's rich medical heritage. Yoga and Ayurveda - both ancient sciences are today acknowledged as beneficial forms of alternative medicines.To enjoy India's rich and diverse culture take a heritage tour. You could visit the temple towns of Kanchipuram, Tanjore, and Madurai in South India, which are also famous for their dance heritage. You could admire the splendor of Buddhist architecture in Sanchi, or the magnificent forts and palaces of Rajasthan. Or you could simply soak in the gracious confluence of Mughal and Indian craftsmanship, best exemplified by the Taj Mahal.Experiencing the rich Indian heritage also means enjoying classical music from gharanas all over the country, finding peace in the spirituality of the many faiths, celebrating the many festivals and melas, including the magnificient Kumbh Mela, relaxing in the lush and gentle backwaters of Kerala also known for its ancient Ayurvedic spas, or delighting in the fascinating textile heritage.

Tourism industry in Indiahttp://www.iloveindia.com/economy-of-india/tourism-industry.htmlTourism industry in India is on a great boom at the moment. India has tremendous potential to become a major global tourist destination and Indian tourism industry is exploiting this potential to the hilt. Travel and tourism industry is the second highest foreign exchange earner for India, and the government has given travel & tourism organizations export house status.

The buoyancy in the Indian tourism industry can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the tremendous growth of Indian economy has resulted in more disposable income in the hands of middle class, thereby prompting increasingly large number of people to spend money on vacations abroad or at home. Secondly, India is a booming IT hub and more and more people are coming to India on business trips. Thirdly, aggressive advertising campaign "Incredible India" by Tourism Ministry has played a major role in changing the image of India from that of the land of snake charmers to a hot and happening place and has sparked renewed interest among foreign travelers. 

Travel & tourism industry's contribution to Indian industry is immense. Tourism is one of the main foreign exchange earners and contributes to the economy indirectly through its linkages with other sectors like horticulture, agriculture, poultry, handicrafts and construction. Tourism industry also provides employment to millions of people in India both directly and indirectly through its linkage with other sectors of the economy. According to an estimate total direct employment in the tourism sector is around 20 million. Travel & tourism industry in India is marked by considerable government presence. Each state has a tourism corporation, which runs a chain of hotels/ rest houses and operates package tours, while the central government runs

the India Tourism Development Corporation.In the year 2002, the Government of India announced a New Tourism Policy to give boost to the tourism sector. The policy is built around the 7-S Mantra of Swaagat (welcome), Soochanaa (information), Suvidhaa (facilitation), Surakshaa (security), Sahyog (cooperation), Sanrachnaa (infrastructure) and Safaai (cleanliness).Some of the salient features of the Tourism Policy are:

The policy proposes the inclusion of tourism in the concurrent list of the Constitution to enable both the

central and state governments to participate in the development of the sector.

No approval required for foreign equity of up to 51 per cent in tourism projects. NRI investment up to 100%

allowed.

Automatic approval for Technology agreements in the hotel industry, subject to the fulfillment of certain

specified parameters.

Concession rates on customs duty of 25% for goods that are required for initial setting up, or for substantial

expansion of hotels.

50% of profits derived by hotels, travel agents and tour operators in foreign exchange are exempt from

income tax. The remaining profits are also exempt if reinvested in a tourism related project.

Apart from this, government has taken several other measures for the promotion of tourism. A multi-pronged approach has been adopted, which includes new mechanism for speedy implementation of tourism projects, development of integrated tourism circuits and rural destinations, special capacity building in the unorganized hospitality sector and new marketing strategy.

The outlook for travel industry in India looks extremely bright. India as a tourism destination is the toast of the world at the moment. Conde Nast ranked India amongst the top 10 tourist destinations. JBIC ranked her as the fifth most attractive investment destination. Besides, India is probably the only country that offers various categories of tourism. These include history tourism, adventure tourism, medical tourism (ayurveda and other forms of Indian medications), eco tourism, cultural tourism, rural tourism, religious/pilgrimage tourism, spiritual tourism, and beach tourism etc.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Growth-of-Tourism-in-India-and-Future-of-India-Tourism-Industry&id=4993851Tourism in India is expanding every year. According to the estimates of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the projected figures for the foreign tourist visiting India during the year 2010 will increase to 10 millions. India is one of the most prospective markets for tourism in the world. There are so many India travel packages offered by India Tourism for foreigners all over India.In addition many private operators also offer many package deals. Tourists can travel to the places of historical and religious importance, explore cultural heritage, natural beauty and enjoy many outdoor sports activities like skiing in snow or mountaineering etc., in natural settings. The local state departments of tourism in India and many private organizations also offer several India travel packages package to places worth visiting.

India is a charming place for its various destinations with numerous captivating natural scenes and culture. Latest

trends of tourism in India show India as fast emerging and highly ranked tourist place of South East Asia.

There has been a tremendous growth in tourism in India because of the policies of the government and support from

all levels. There are recently many events that have taken place or coming up in the futures, which are a big catalyst

for prompting tourism in India. The international sports events like 20/20 IPL Cricket matches, upcoming

Commonwealth Games are also helping the tourism industry in India and it will prosper to great heights and

standards in the near future.

The remarkable growth in Indian Tourism market, which has identically benefited many support industries like

aviation, transport, medical tourism, hotel and sports. The year 2008 had witnessed an enormous increase in the eco

tourism in India In addition the government has come up with a new idea of India tourism named as "Rural Tourism",

which is very successful in promoting tourism by offering exclusive India travel packages for rural tourism.India had

hosted Asian Games long back that had brought many developments in India and, upgraded the quality of tourism in

India and attracted many tourists to India from all over the world. Common Wealth Games 2010, being organized in

Delhi, capital of India, will give a pioneer opportunity to tourism in India. The industry can gain a lot of business by

coming up with various travel packages for attraction and benefit of tourists. In 2010, it a estimated that over 3.5

million tourist will be visiting India to witness the Common wealth Games scheduled in Oct 2010 at Delhi. It is the very

important event and Indian tourism industry has to plan, organize and cater to the needs of such a big rush of foreign

tourists that will depend on the fights, transport, hotel bookings and for their travel itineraries, visas and other

facilities. Many agencies are preparing to handle this tourist rush so that visitors and players feel it homely,

comfortably and safe.

There are indications that the growth of tourism in India will be very steep in the next couple of years. The Indian

share of tourist will augment about 1.5 % in 2010. India tourism industry is going to earn maximum business from

tourist visiting Agra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerela, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan where maximum numbers of tourists are

expected.

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Some factors affecting Indian tourism are as follows:

Poor transportation, Lack of basic hygienic amenities at halting points, Non-standardization of rates and fares, Lack of sound marketing and promotion strategies, Poor maintenance of heritages, Issues regarding security and harassment, Lack of passionate and trained professionals .

There is a general lack of easy and tourist-friendly information at any tourist place. Our 'tourist information centre' at most of the railway stations or airports are either not manned at all or are occupied by people who are hardly visible when needed. There should be some staff at such places who can guide the tourists once they arrive at a new place. Once they settle down they can easily take care of themselves. What they need is the initial help,even which we are not able to provide.

Transportation-There are so many corrupt auto and taxi drivers who are waiting to take them for a ride and charging them too high and the transportation facility is so bad except few cities, you know them much better than anybody, so when they come to know such things and travelers avoid such places...with such minor things a value of a place is lost, so government should take care of these things and improve transportation facility at major tourist destinations

Failure to assure on traveler safety and security on services and product. Confusing information dissemination in content and method. Absence of regulator. Poor infrastructure and cohesive support. Poor plan policies and lack of focus. Almost nil coordination within various agencies in all levels. Weak on discipline: Operator, industry bodies and regulator.

Everyone wants better results from tourism yet no none from policy makers to regulator to operators wants to follow their respective roles with sincerity and honesty.India requires better infrastructure, channels to hone resources and continually work to better, address Safety & Security issues seriously and develop own competencies of management rather than trying to ape other countries models. 

Types of Tourism in India

 All types of tourism in India have registered phenomenal growth in the last decade ever since the Indian government decided to boost revenues from the tourism sector by projecting India as the ultimate tourist spot. The reason why India has been doing well in all types of tourism in India is that India has always been known for its hospitality, uniqueness, and charm – attributes that have been attracting foreign travelers to India in hordes. The Indian government, in order to boost tourism of various kinds in India, has set up the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. This ministry recently launched a campaign called ‘Incredible India!’ in order to encourage different types of tourism in India. 

The result was that in 2004, foreign tourists spent around US$ 15.4 billion during their trips to India. Being a country with tremendous diversity, India has a lot to offer in terms of tourism and related activities. The diversity that India is famous for, ensures that there is something to do for all tourists in India, no matter what their interests. 

Mass tourism

- tourism involving large numbers of people

High rise hotels such as these in Benidorm, Spain, were built across Southern Europe in the 1960s and 1970s to accommodate mass tourism from Northern Europe.

Mass tourism could only have developed with the improvements in technology, allowing the transport of large numbers of people in a short space of time to places of leisure interest, so that greater numbers of people could begin to enjoy the benefits of leisure time.

Wildlife tourism

India has a rich forest cover which has some beautiful and exotic species of wildlife – some of which that are even endangered and very rare. This has boosted wildlife tourism in India. The places where a foreign tourist can go for wildlife tourism in India are the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, and Corbett National Park. 

Wildlife tourism can be an eco and animal friendly tourism, usually showing animals in their natural habitat. Wildlife tourism, in its simplest sense, is watching wild animals in their natural habitat. Wildlife tourism is an important part of the tourism industries in many countries including many African and South American countries, Australia, India, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia and Maldives among many. It has experienced a dramatic and rapid growth in recent years world wide and is closely aligned to eco-tourism and sustainable-tourism.Wildlife tourism is also a multi-million dollar industry offering customized tour packages and safaris.

India : India is home to a rich diversity of wildlife supplemented by an equally rich variety of flora and fauna. The sight and sounds of a majestic elephant, a peacock’s dance, the stride of a camel, the roar of a tiger are unparalleled

experiences in themselves. Watching birds and animals in their natural habitats is an experience in itself. 

The country offers immense opportunities for wildlife tourism. The immense heritage of wildlife in India comprises of more than 70 national parks and about 400 wildlife sanctuaries including the bird sanctuaries. 

A paradise for the nature lovers, these forest areas are also crucial for the conversation of the endangered species like the Leopard, Lion, Asiatic Elephant, the Bengal tiger and Siberian Crane. Spread across the length and breadth of India, these reserves and forest areas, right from the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan to the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar, from the foothills of Himalayas, the Jim Corbett National Park to six national parks in Andaman; the Indian Wildlife circuit is an Incredible treat, unmatched by any other experience. 

Elephant, Deer, Panther, Wild buffalo, Wild ass, the one horned Rhinoceros, Porcupine, Snow leopards etc are some of the animals you can sport in The Himalayan region. 

India harbours eighty percent of the entire population of the one horned rhinoceros in the world. The Kaziranga Game Sanctuary is an ideal habitat for the rhino and a popular destination with the naturalists and environmentalists as well as the wildlife traveller. 

The Great Indian Bustard and blackbuck of the Karera Sanctuary also attract a lot of tourists. The Madhav National Park originally called the Shivpuri National Park is another rich habitat for the wildlife in close proximity to the historical town of Gwalior and being close to a often visited cultural and heritage destination enjoys its fare share of tourism inflow. The Corbett National Park one of the most popular National Parks in the northern region for the wildlife enthusiast as well as the holiday makers is changing the way wildlife tourism. These National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are promoters of wildlife tourism in India.

Negative Impacts of Wildlife Tourism

Wildlife tourism can cause significant disturbances to animals in their natural habitats. The growing interest in traveling to developing countries has created a boom in resort and hotel construction, particularly on rain forest and mangrove forest lands. Wildlife viewing can scare away animals, disrupt their feeding and nesting sites, or acclimate them to the presence of people. In Kenya, for example, wildlife-observer disruption drives cheetahs off their reserves, increasing the risk of inbreeding and further endangering the species.

Direct Impacts

The effect that wildlife tourism will have on wildlife depend on the scale of tourist development and the behavior and resilience of wildlife to the presence of humans. When tourists activities occur during sensitive times of the life cycle (for example, during nesting season), and when they involve close approaches to wildlife for the purpose of identification or photography, the potential for disturbance is high. Not all species appear to be disturbed by tourists even within heavily visited areas.

Disturbing Breeding Patterns

The pressures of tourists searching out wildlife to photograph or hunt can adversely affect hunting and feeding patterns, and the breeding success of some species. Some may even have long-term implications for behavioral and ecological relationships. For example, an increase in boat traffic has disturbed the feeding of giant otters in Manu National Park, Peru. Further disturbance to wildlife occurs when tourist guides dig up turtle nests and chase swimming jaguars, tapirs and otters to give clients better viewing opportunities. On the shores of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, the number of tourist boats and the noise generated as disrupted the feeding and drinking patterns of elephants and the black rhinoceros - it is feared that further increases in boat traffic will affect their reproductive success.

Disturbing Feeding Patterns

Feeding of wildlife by tourists can have severe consequences for social behavior patterns. Artificial feeding by tourists caused a breakdown of the territorial breeding system of land iguanas on the South Plaza in the Galapogos Islands. Territories were abandoned in favor of sites where food could be begged from tourists, and this has had a negative effect on the breeding success of iguanas. Artificial feeding can also result in a complete loss of normal feeding behaviors. In the Galapagos Islands, overfeeding by tourists was so extreme that, when stopped, some animals were unable to locate their natural food sources. Similarly, until the early 1970s, the diet of some Grizzly bears in Yellow

Stone National Park (USA) consisted, to a large extent, of food wastes left by visitors at park refuse sites. When these sites were closed, the beats showed significant decreases in body size, reproductive rate and litter size.

Disruption of parent-offspring bonds

Wildlife tourism can also cause disruption to intra-specific relationships. Attendance by female harp seals to their pups declined when tourists were present inCanada's Gulf of St Lawrence, and those females remaining with their pups spent significantly less time nursing and more time watching the tourists. There is also a risk of the young not being recognized, and being more exposed to predator attacks. A similar concern has been expressed over whale watching, whale calves normally maintain constant body contact with their mothers but, when separated, can transfer their attachment to the side of the boat.

Increased vulnerability to predators and competitors

The viewing of certain species by wildlife tourists can make that species more vulnerable to predators. Evidence of this phenomenon has been recorded in birds, reptiles and mammals. Problems have occurred in breeding colonies of brown pelicans visited by tourists in Mexico. Breeding success decreased by 52-100% in visited sites compared to unvisited sites.

Medical tourism

Tourists from all over the world have been thronging India to avail themselves of cost-effective but superior quality healthcare in terms of surgical procedures and general medical attention. There are several medical institutes in the country that cater to foreign patients and impart top-quality healthcare at a fraction of what it would have cost in developed nations such as USA and UK. It is expected that medical tourism in India will hold a value around US$ 2 billion by 2012. The city of Chennai attracts around 45% of medical tourists from foreign countries.

India

India’s medical tourism sector is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 30%, making it a Rs. 9,500-crore industry by 2015.[79] Estimates of the value of medical tourism to India go as high as $2 billion a year by 2012.[80] Advantages for medical tourists include reduced costs, the availability of latest medical technologies and a growing compliance on international quality standards, as well as the fact that foreigners are not likely to face a language barrier in India. The Indian government is taking steps to address infrastructure issues that hinder the country's growth in medical tourism.

Most estimates claim treatment costs in India start at around a tenth of the price of comparable treatment in America or Britain.[7][81] The most popular treatments sought in India by medical tourists are alternative medicine, bone-marrow transplant, cardiac bypass surgery, eye surgery and orthopedic surgery. India is known in particular for heart surgery, hip resurfacing and other areas of advanced medicine.

Ministry of Tourism India(MoT) is planning to extend its Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme to cover Joint Commission International (JCI) and National Accreditation Board of Hospitals (NABH) certified hospitals. A policy announcement of this effect is likely soon.[82]

The South Indian city of Chennai is considered to be the healthcare capital of India as it is home to some of India's best medical centers.

Pilgrimage tourism

India is famous for its temples and that is the reason that among the different kinds of tourism in India, pilgrimage tourism is increasing most rapidly. The various places for tourists to visit in India for pilgrimage are Vaishno Devi, Golden temple, Char Dham, and Mathura Vrindavan. 

Eco tourism

Among the types of tourism in India, ecotourism have grown recently. Ecotourism entails the sustainable preservation of a naturally endowed area or region. This is becoming more and more significant for the ecological development of all regions that have tourist value. For ecotourism in India, tourists can go to places such as Kaziranga National Park, Gir National Park, and Kanha National Park. 

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. The various fairs and festivals that tourists can visit in India are the Pushkar fair, Taj Mahotsav, and Suraj Kund mela. 

The types of tourism in India have grown and this has boosted the Indian economy. That it continues to grow efforts must be taken by the Indian government, so that the tourism sector can contribute more substantially to the nation’s GDP. Adventure tourism

As a kind of tourism in India, adventure tourism has recently grown in India. This involves exploration of remote areas and exotic locales and engaging in various activities. For adventure tourism in India, tourists prefer to go for trekking to places like Ladakh, Sikkim, and Himalaya. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are popular for the skiing facilities they offer. Whitewater rafting is also catching on in India and tourists flock to places such as Uttranchal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh for this adrenalin-packed activity. 

Accessible tourism

There is a trend for developing tourism specifically for the disabled. Adventure travel for the disabled has become a $13 billion USD a year industry in North America.[4] Some adventure travel destinations offer diverse programs and job opportunities developed specifically for the disabled.[5]

Disaster tourism

Disaster tourism is the act of traveling to a disaster area as a matter of curiosity. The behavior can be a nuisance if it hinders rescue, relief, and recovery operations. If not done because of pure curiosity, it can be cataloged as disaster learning.

Ethno tourism

Ethno tourism refers to visiting a foreign location for the sake of observing the indigenous members of its society for the sake of non-scientific gain. Some extreme forms of this include attempting to make first contact with tribes that are protected from outside visitors.Two controversial issues associated with ethno tourism include bringing natives into contact with diseases they do not have immunities for, and the possible degradation or destruction of a unique culture and/or language.[6]

Jungle tourism

Jungle tourism is a rising subcategory of adventure travel defined by active multifaceted physical means of travel in the jungle regions of the earth. Although similar in many respects to adventure travel, jungle tourism pertains specifically to the context of region, culture and activity. According to the Glossary of Tourism Terms, jungle tours have become a major component of green tourism in tropical destinations and are a relatively recent phenomenon of Western international tourism.

Overland travel

Overland travel or overlanding refers to an "overland journey" - perhaps originating with Marco Polo's first overland expedition in the 13th century from Venice to the Mongolian court of Kublai Khan. Today overlanding is a form of extended adventure holiday, embarking on a long journey, often in a group. Overland companies provide a converted truck or a bus plus a tour leader, and the group travels together overland for a period of weeks or months.Since the 1960s overlanding has been a popular means of travel between destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia (particularly India), the Americas and Australia. The "Hippie trail" of the 60s and 70s saw thousands of young westerners travelling through the Middle East to India and Nepal.

Urban exploration

Urban exploration (often shortened as urbex or UE) is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of urban areas or industrial facilities. Urban exploration is also commonly referred to as infiltration, although some people consider infiltration to be more closely associated with the exploration of active or inhabited sites. It may also be referred to as "draining" (when exploring drains) "urban spelunking", "urban caving", or "building hacking".

The nature of this activity presents various risks, including both physical danger and the possibility of arrest and punishment. Many, but not all, of the activities associated with urban exploration could be considered trespassing or other violations of local or regional laws.

Adventure recreation Jungle tourism Mountain biking Mountaineering Intercontinental motorcycle touring Parachuting Paragliding Hang Gliding Rafting River trekking

Rock climbing Skiing Camel safari Para gliding Mountaineering Rafting in white water Trekking Adventure Tourism India

 Adventure tourism India has increased in recent years due to the efforts taken by the Indian government and the Ministry of Tourism. The scope for adventure tourism in India is endless because the country has a rich diversity in terms of climate and topography. 

Various kinds of adventure on water, land, and air can be enjoyed in India. The ministry of tourism and culture has, in recent years, launched a campaign called ‘Incredible India!’ and this has given a tremendous boost to adventure tourism in India. 

As a kind of adventure tourism in India, rock climbing is relatively new. Due to the presence of climbing rocks in large numbers throughout the country, rock climbing as a kind of adventure tourism in India is taking off in a big way. The various places in India where tourists can go for rock climbing are Badami, Kanheri Caves, Manori Rocks, and Kabbal. Skiing in India as a kind of adventure tourism has become popular in the last decade. The country has a large number of hill stations which have excellent skiing facilities. This has given rise to skiing adventure tourism in India. The places in India where tourists can go for skiing are Manali, Shimla, Nainital, and Mussoorie. 

Whitewater rafting in India is a relative newcomer in the domain of adventure tourism in India. This has been increasing due to the presence of a number of rivers, water falls, and rapids. The places where a tourist can go for whitewater rafting in India are Ganga, Alaknanda, and Bhagirathi rivers. Trekking as a part of adventure tourism India has grown recently. Many tourists are coming to India in order to go trekking in the various rugged mountains present in India. 

Camel safari in India has also become very popular due to the initiatives taken by the tourist boards of some Indian states. The most famous destinations in India for camel safaris are Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. Paragliding in India has developed recently and paragliding facilities are available in a lot of places in India. 

Mountaineering in India is also quite popular in the arena of adventure tourism. Tourists can go to Garhwal, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir for indulging in mountaineering. 

Adventure tourism India has registered a formidable growth in recent years. For this growth to continue, efforts must be taken by the government of India so that India ranks alongside international destinations for adventure tourism. 

Cultural Tourism IndiaCultural tourism India is the predominant factor behind India’s meteoric rise in the tourism segment in recent years, because from time immemorial, India has been considered the land of ancient history, heritage, and culture. 

The government of India has set up the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to boost cultural tourism in India. The ministry in recent years has launched the ‘Incredible India!’ campaign and this has led to the growth of culture tourism in India. 

India has had many rulers over the centuries and all of them made an impact on India's culture. One can see the influence of various cultures in dance, music, festivities, architecture, traditional customs, food, and languages. It is due to the influence of all these various cultures that the heritage and culture of India is exhaustive and vibrant. This richness in culture goes a long way in projecting India as the ultimate cultural tourism destination given boost to tourism in culture in India. The most popular states in India for cultural tourism are:

Rajasthan Tamil Nadu Uttar Pradesh Uttaranchal

Among the various states for cultural tourism in India, Rajasthan is the most popular. The reason for this is that Rajasthan is famous for its rich cultural heritage. The state is 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 festivals and fairs are held in Rajasthan such as the camel festival, Marwar festival, and Pushkar festival. All these attract many tourists to Rajasthan for they get to see the rich culture of the state. 

Tamil Nadu is also famous for cultural tourism in India, for it shows the Dravidian tradition and culture. It has many temples which mirror the rich cultural heritage of India. Uttar Pradesh has a lot of tourist places which also testify to the rich culture of the country. The most famous monument is theTaj Mahal in Agra. Cities like Varanasi, Allahabad, Vrindavan, and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh also attract a large number of tourists for they encapsulate beautiful vignettes of India. 

Uttaranchal is also famous for cultural tourism India. This state has the Himalaya mountains which are called the abode of the Gods. Many ancient temples are found in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of the state. 

Cultural tourism India has witnessed a lot of growth in recent years. For this growth to continue, the government of India needs to take further pro-active steps and measures. 

Ecotourism India Ecotourism India has developed recently, for the concept itself is a relatively new one. Ecotourism entails traveling to places that are renowned for their natural beauty and social culture, while making sure not to damage the ecological balance. 

Ecotourism pertains to a conscious and responsible effort to preserve the diversity of a naturally endowed region and sustaining its beauty and local culture. Indians have been known since ages to worship and conserve nature. So the growth of ecotourism in India is but natural. Also, the government of India has set up the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to promote ecotourism in India alongside other types of tourism.

Ecotourism in India has grown significantly in recent years in India since the country has a diverse geography which led to the development of many tourists destinations. These various destinations not only de-stress the tourists but also rejuvenate them. There are various ways in which tourists can enjoy nature in India. And this has given ecotourism in India a major boost. Places such as Kerala, Lakshdweep Islands, the Himalayan region, north-east India, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are some destinations in India where tourists can participate in ecotourism-related activities. In Kerala, Thenmala is a planned ecotourism spot and is the first of its kind in India. Great care has gone into the care and preservation of Thenmala so that it caters to nature lovers and eco- tourists. 

Eco-tourists have been thronging India in large numbers for it has a rich source of flora and fauna. A great number of endangered and rare species are also to be found in the various national parks in India. The major national parks in India for ecotourism are:

Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh Gir National Park and Sanctuary in Gujarat Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan

Ecotourism India has increased in the last few years. The government of India and Ministry of Tourism need to make concerted efforts to ensure that ecotourism in India is able to keep pace with ecotourism destinations across the world and making sustainable tourism a priority.

Heritage Tourism IndiaHeritage tourism India has registered an immense growth in the last few years, ever since additional initiatives were taken by the government of India to boost India’s image as a destination for heritage tourism. India has always been famous for its rich heritage and ancient culture. So the onset of heritage tourism in India was long anticipated. India’s glorious past and cultural diversity make a potent blend which attracts millions of tourists each year to its heritage tourist attractions. The government of India and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture encourage heritage tourism in India by offering several benefits to the Indian states that are particularly famous for attracting tourists. India's rich heritage is amply reflected in the various temples, palaces, monuments, and forts that can be found everywhere in the country. This has led to the increase in India's heritage tourism. The most popular heritage tourism destinations in India are: Taj Mahal in AgraMandawa castle in RajasthanMahabalipuram in Tamil NaduMadurai in Tamil NaduLucknow in Uttar PradeshDelhi, the Indian capital

The maximum number of tourists who come to India visit the Taj Mahal for it is one of the 7 wonders of the world. It is made of marble which has intricate inlay work done in an exquisite and meticulous style. The Mandawa castle in Rajasthan, built in 1775 reflects India's rich heritage and attracts thousands of tourists each year to Rajasthan which seems especially popular for its antique paintings, jade jewelry, palaces, and costumes. Mahabalipuram has sculptural and architectural sites which are considered the greatest in India. Mahabalipuram has cave temples that have been carved from granite blocks and belong to the 7th century. This is the primary reason why many heritage tourists in India visit this place. 

The tourism of heritage in India has also increased due to the interest of many foreigners in the temples of India. Madurai is known as the ‘temple city’ due to the presence of a large number of temples in the city. And for this reason, many tourists go and visit the place each year. The most important temple in Madurai is the Meenakshi temple. 

Heritage tourism India has also been popularized because a lot of tourists go to Delhi which is not only the capital of India but also has many heritage sites. The most famous heritage sites in Delhi are the Red fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun's tomb, and Tughlaqabad fort. 

Heritage tourism India has grown in recent years but there is scope for further development which can be attained only through combined efforts of the government of India and the tourism boards. 

http://www.economywatch.com/business-and-economy/tourism-industry.html

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

class, growth in high spending foreign tourists, and coordinated government campaigns to promote

‘Incredible India’.

The tourism industry in India is substantial and vibrant, and the country is fast becoming a major global destination.

India’s travel and tourism industry is one of them most profitable industries in the country, and also credited with

contributing a substantial amount of foreign exchange. This is illustrated by the fact that during 2006, four

million touristsvisited India and spent US $8.9 billion.

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

added millions annually to the ranks of India’s middle class, a group that is driving domestictourism growth.

Disposable income in India has grown by 10.11% annually from 2001-2006, and much of that is being spent on

travel.

Related to tourism ministry…..

Thanks in part to its booming IT and outsourcing industry a growing number of business trips are made by foreigners

to India, who will often add a weekend break or longer holiday to their trip. Foreign tourists spend more in India than

almost any other country worldwide. Tourist arrivals are projected to increase by over 22% per year through till 2010,

with a 33% increase in foreign exchange earnings recorded in 2004.

The Tourism Ministry has also played an important role in the development of the industry, initiating advertising campaigns such as the 'Incredible India' campaign, which promoted India’s culture and tourist attractions in a fresh and memorable way. The campaign helped create a colorful image of India in the minds of consumers all over the world, and has directly led to an increase in the interest among tourists.

The tourism industry has helped growth in other sectors as diverse as horticulture, handicrafts, agriculture, construction and even poultry.

Both directly and indirectly, increased tourism in India has created jobs in a variety of related sectors. The numbers tell the story: almost 20 million people are now working in the India’s tourism industry.

India’s governmental bodies have also made a significant impact in tourism by requiring that each and every state of India have a corporation to administer support issues related to tourism.

A new growth sector is medical tourism. It is currently growing at around 30% per annum. Medical tourist arrivals are expected to reach one million soon.

The tourism industry of India is based on certain core nationalistic ideals and standards which are: Swaagat or welcome, Sahyog or cooperation, Soochanaa or information, Sanrachanaa or infrastructure, Suvidha or facilitation, Safaai or cleanliness and Surakshaa or security.

The following table provides the major tourist attractions in India by state:Tourist AttractionStateCharminarHyderabad, Andhra PradeshKaziranga National ParkAssamQutub MinarDelhiMangueshi TempleGoaShimlaHimachal PradeshDal LakeJammu and KashmirJog FallsShimoga District, KarnatakaKovalam BeachKeralaAmarkantakMadhya PradeshAjantaMaharashtraPuriOrissaGolden TempleAmritsar, PunjabJaipurRajasthanChennaiTamil NaduBadrinath TempleUttarakhandVaranasiUttar PradeshVictoria MemorialKolkata, Bengal

http://www.tourismofindia.com/hi/ecotourism.htm

What is Ecotourism

Fundamentally, ecotourisim means making as little environmental impact as possible and helping to sustain the indigenous populace, thereby encouraging the preservation of wildlife and habitats when visiting a place. This is responsible form of tourism and tourism development, which encourages going back to natural products in every aspect of life. It is also the key to sustainable ecological development.

Aware of the Environment

Today the "Green Laws" of conservation are making people aware of how man and the environment can live symbiotically for more time to come and ecotourisim is the only way maximize the economic, environmental and social benefits of tourism. Everyone is a stakeholder in the process and we clearly need to avoid our past shortcomings and negative impact that they have had.In India too the movement is gathering momentum with more and more travel and travel related organisation's are addressing the needs of the eco-tourists and promoting eco-tourism in the country.

Adventure tourism

Blessed with snow-clad peaks, crystal glaciers, rolling meadows, beautiful valleys, meandering rivers, gushing waterfalls, thick forests, swampy deltas and magical moonscapes - India has something for everyone looking for adventure, however thrilling or risky it may be.Up North, the Himalayan ranges that stretch across the country are the most intimidating, enthralling and beautiful mountains in the world. They offer the ultimate challenge to any adventurer whatever their pursuit - mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking or white water rafting. For any mountaineer the Himalayas are a perennial challenge. And with their ever-changing terrain, there is something new to see in every season and every region, be it the gentle slopes of theGarhwal and Kumaon region, the sharp ragged gorges of Himachal Pradesh, the pristine untouched beauty of Sikkimor the fantastic moonscapes of Jammu and Kashmir. Climbing these mountains is a spiritual experience that will make you keep coming back for more.

TrekkingIf mountaineering is not your scene, but you still want to savour the beauty of these mighty mountains, try trekking. From the foothills to the higher ranges, mountain trails - many of them unexplored - are a great way to experience the Himalayas . Some of the best trekking routes on the mountain sides are in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttranchal, Chamba and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Zanskar and Spiti in Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and the virtually untouched north eastern states of India. Trekking is one of the best ways to enjoy the panoramic and magnificent sites of the awesome mountains- the rivers, flora and fauna. The best part is that virtually anyone can go on a trek.Of course, for the more energetic, the Himalayan mountain ranges offer other adventure opportunities like rock climbing, heli-skiing, hang gliding, mountain biking and even paragliding.

Water sportsIf you like water sports, again the Himalayas offer you some of the best river runs in the world. The foaming rapids on theGanges in Rishikesh, Uttaranchal, the Beas in Himachal Pradesh and Teetsa in Sikkim are some of the toughest and most exciting you can find anywhere.Further South you can enjoy the water adventures along both the west and the east coasts of India . The islands of Andaman and Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep in the Indian Ocean are virtually untouched and are some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling. The beaches of Goa and Kerala also offer other sporting opportunities like water skiing, wind surfing and sailing.SafarisAlso unique are India 's jungle and desert safaris. In fact one of the most magical ways to discover the sands of Rajasthan, especially the unending sand dunes of Jaisalmer and Bikaner, is on camel back. Today, many heritage resorts run by erstwhile royalty also give you the option of enjoying the countryside on horseback, by far the best way to explore the countryside, see its' remote forts and palaces, and interact with its people.Parks and SanctuariesSimilarly, exploring India 's many wildlife parks and sanctuaries on elephant back is a unique experience. Most tiger and rhino sanctuaries offer this option and it's a better way of viewing wildlife than using a noisy jeep safari.

Pilgrimage

India has always been considered the land of spirituality. Though Hinduism continues to be the oldest religion in the country, India has been the birthplace of various religions like Bhuddism, Jainism, Sikhism and Sufism, and has always embraced new religions that other cultures brought into the country.It is considered a milestone in a person's life and a char dhams yatra - a visit to the holy sites at cardinal points of the country - a necessity for the regeneration of the spirit. These points lie across the subcontinent. In the north they are the snow-capped mountains of Badrinath, Kedarnath and Amarnath. In central India , one of the holiest places to visit is Benares, Prayaga ( Allahabad ) where the Kumbh Mela is held, and Mathura - the birth place of Lord Krishna. In the East lies Puri in Orissa famous for its Jagannath Temple and its Rath Yatra. In the South is Rameswaram and Kanya Kumari and in the west is Dwaraka - the kingdom of Lord Krishna . But these aren't all the places that the Hindus take a pilgrimage to. Places like Tirupati, Vaishnodevi, Shirdi, Shabrimala, Tajore and Madurai towns are famous for their temples and shrines and very much on a must-visit list.Several famous temples across the country also have their own unique festivals and yatras. In fact India is home to the largest religious gathering which takes place every 12 years - the Kumbh Mela. Whether it is a spiritual experience you seek or want to understand the depth and diversity of religion - this is the land with the answers. http://www.ehow.com/about_5482206_role-tourism-india.htmlReasons for Growth

India's government, through its Tourism Ministry, developed a National Action Plan for Tourism to develop this portion of the economy. The plan sought to promote tourism as a way to boost socio-economic development, increase employment, preserve the nation's heritage and environment and promote international and domestic tourists to visit India as a way to increase its share of global tourism. Through this plan, the ministry began advertising campaigns at home and abroad. The successful campaign has brought more tourists--and their money--to the country and boosted employment in this sector to more than 20 million people by 2006.

Foreign Tourism to IndiaIn 2006, more than 4 million tourists visited India and spent the equivalent of $8.9 billion U.S. dollars, and this figure rose by about 22 percent each year from 2006 to 2009. Thanks again to its technology and service sectors, foreign business travelers are descending on India in large numbers. Many extend their trips, adding more tourist money to the economy. In fact, foreign tourists from all over the world spend more in India than almost any other country worldwide, according to Economy Watch. Tourists are attracted by India's cultural diversity, temples, scenery and festivals. Each region of India offers something for foreign visitors, from the Taj Mahal and New Delhi in the north, bustling Mumbai in the West to the religious center of Varanasi in central India and any number of its beaches and coastal cities.

Indian Travelers Abroad

Not only are foreign tourists traveling in India, its own citizens are taking more vacations, as well. The country's economic growth increased its middle-class population. This group is contributing the most to domestic travel thanks to an annual 10 percent increase in disposable income between 2001 and 2006.

The Role of Tourism in India

Among the various service industries, tourism in India is the largest and fastest-growing in the country. It has a vast impact on the national economy and plays a major role in other aspects of the country's growth and development, especially the creation of jobs.

National Economy

o The Ministry of Tourism in India reported in 2007 that tourism contributed 6.23 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Tourism was also responsible for 8.78 percent of the country's total employment. This translated to roughly 53 million jobs and recorded earnings of approximately $10.73 billion. These positive numbers contributed to a growth rate of 24.3 percent compared to previous years.

Sector Development

o India's booming tourism industry benefits specific sectors. Traditional crafts are being developed and promoted by the government because crafts are a key component of India's tourism. Artisans, who usually are from rural areas, get to distribute their crafts to a bigger market, hopefully fueling growth in the rural communities to which they belong. Another aspect of tourism is India's flora and fauna. The aim is better organization and administration of India's nature and wildlife sanctuaries. This bodes well for the country's efforts at sustainable development of ecological resources.

Medical Tourismo The country's medical and health care community is another beneficiary of tourism. People from all over the world

have discovered they can get the same quality of medical services in India at a lower cost than in other countries. Medical care in India costs 1/10 of what it is in the U.S. or UK, and the quality of service is similar. Tourists also go to India to learn about or benefit from alternative medicine. Non-Western healing techniques are still actively practiced in the country.Campaign

o The catch phrase of India's tourism campaign is 'Incredible India." Besides the typical heritage sites from India's past, the campaign defines other niche markets. Rural tourism focuses on the rich cultureto be found in the villages. Nature tourism centers on the country's wildlife and nature preserves. Wellness tourism promotes the various medical and healing systems that are practiced in the country. Adventure tourism pushes for development of outdoor recreational activities.Future Improvements

o As the industry grows, the Ministry of Tourism and its partners plan to explore other niche markets that can be developed. Efforts also are focusing on infrastructure development. Investments are funneled to road, airport and seaport construction and improvement. The hospitality sector and manpower training are also key targets for development.

Promotion of Tourism in India

In the past decade, tourism has become one of India's fastest growing markets, contributing to millions of service industry jobs. The Ministry of Tourism launched the Incredible India campaign in 2002, promoting India as a premier vacation spot. The campaign was successful, and now India is one of the top destinations for travelers from the U.S. and Canada. In August 2009 outbreaks of swine flu threatened India's late summer tourist season. Many travelers canceled trips rather than risk infection. Still, fears have now subsided and tourism seems to be growing steadily.

1. Incredible India Campaign

o The Indian Ministry of Tourism launched the Incredible India campaign in 2002 to encourage visitors from around the world to experience India. The concerted marketing effort included print, radio and television ads. The campaign also included road shows, which were planned for the UK, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The successful campaign received attention and praise from travel professionals and is credited with increasing the number of tourists to the nation within just a few years.

More Lodging Available

While the Incredible India campaign succeeded in bringing tourists to India, a lack of available lodging had to be addressed before the nation could handle a large increase in visitors. As one solution to the problem, the Ministry of Tourism has encouraged Indian entrepreneurs to start hosting tourists in bed and breakfast style guest lodging. These B&Bs offer visitors an authentic experience with Indian cuisine, culture and people, as well as an increase in the number of guest rooms available in metropolitan areas.

Transportation and Accessibility

o India's crumbling infrastructure is another hurdle to the successful growth of the tourism sector. The Indian government is allocating funds to improve the infrastructure of the nation, improving access to rural areas so they become attractive to visitors. One such improvement has been the installation of heliports, where visitors can easily travel from a major metropolitan area to a rural area by helicopter.

Heritage & Ecotourism

Many visit India seeking signs of the ancient culture founded there. A popular heritage sight is the Taj Mahal, which attracts millions of visitors each year. India's Ministry of Tourism attempts to implement sustainable practices, promoting the ideals of ecotourism to its partner sites and tour guides. The Ministry also is integrating the ideals of conservation and preservation of the local ecology and culture to the greatest extent possible. The Ministry is working to create unique tourist experiences in rural India that promote local culture and have a low impact on the environment.

Health and Wellness Tourismo As the birthplace of yoga and Ayurveda, India has a particular appeal to visitors who are searching for spiritual and

physical healing. Since the Beatles visited an Indian ashram in the late 1960s, the popularity of visiting these spiritual yoga centers has grown among Westerners. The Ministry uses that popularity to highlight these traditions in their campaigns.

http://www.iptv.org/exploremore/land/issues/iss_tour/tourism.cfmProblems connecting tourism..

Tourism is part of our culture and is often our chief connection to our natural surroundings. A landscape is like a canoe. It can hold only so many people before it sinks. So how can tourism be a part of a working landscape? To find an answer, the problems associated with tourism must be explored. Let's look at how tourism affects a landscape’s economic potential, ecological makeup, and social needs.

EconomicTourism can benefit a community financially. It provides business opportunities and jobs (camp grounds, hotels, restaurants, gas stations). Some of the money generated from tourism is used for environmental maintenance; however, maintenance of a landscape that attracts tourists can be expensive because it involves cleaning up after the visitors. That means dealing with air and water pollution, repairing animal habitat, and monitoring biodiversity. 

Economic Importance of Tourism in India

Tourism is an increasingly vital part of the Indian economy.Throughout the world, tourism brings money to cities and countries. Tourism also provides jobs for the local residents, further benefiting the destination. India has realized the profits available from this sector. Thanks to its growing economy and promoting itself as a culturally rich and diverse nation, India's tourism industry now brings billions of dollars into the economy each year.

EnvironmentalTourism can devastate the ecology of a landscape. There is a broad range of problems. First, consider why landscapes are tourist attractions. Some landscapes are scenic and special because people haven't interacted with them. Tourism brings human interaction, which may bring some negatives. Trash, disrupting animal habitats, feeding wild animals, and unattended campfires leading to forest fires are some of these negatives. Also, some scenic land must be sacrificed for roads, parking lots, and often billboards. Oil, gas run off roads and parking lots onto the land and into our water. Other vehicles, boats and buse, pose the same threats.

SocialTourism fulfills a social need to connect to nature. People enjoy a number of recreational activities. Some tourists hunt, fish, play sports, snowboard, surf, or ski. Jetskis, snowmobiles, and speedboats are also popular. Some people find shopping a social experience. There are others who prefer a more passive appreciation of nature, sometimes called ecotourism. Ecotourists try not to disturb nature—just observe it through camping, biking, hiking, photography, and bird watching. Whatever the way people choose to enjoy a landscape, the social experience may just promote enough interest in a landscape that people will be committed to solving some of the ecological problems caused by tourism. 

The BalanceTourism lets people make a living and fulfill our social need to connect with nature. But tourism can also have a hefty toll on a landscape’s ecology. The decisions we make about solving and avoiding environmental problems will determine whether tourism and landscapes share a working relationship. Attention to these problems will help to strike a balance between the economic, ecological, and social aspects that lead to a working landscape.

Economic

+I think this tourism will create more jobs and also gets in more money for the country and also India has a vast diversity and also whole lot of different cultures under one roof....and people would like to visit such places. So, interms of money pumping in through tourism industry will be more if properly handled

+Mass tourism will bring more revenue which will bring development and concern for the government to maintain that premise. Yes if its huge inflow then in long run it might harm the environment but that is happening currently due to illegal activities(mining, deforestation, etc) that prevail due to negligence of government. Thus in case of tourism boost atleast that area would develop with sustainable development and revenue for the nation plus job & increase in standard of living for locals.

+I think at this stage tourism can never be a threat to our country. Tourism brings with it lots of oppertunities of jobs and a more inflow of cash to our country. The value of rupee appreciates if we are having more inflow of foreign currency. Tourism will not only help economically but also will encourage the government to be concerned about keeping clean and develop some more places into tourism spot. Indeed it will be a hope for India.

Tourism has helped to create millions of jobs in developing countries. For example official estimates for 2002 suggest China has 51.1 million jobs associated to tourism and India 23.7 million jobs.

* Economic contribution - Some 21 million people are employed in tourism, its economic impact is expected to grow by 80% in next decade

Environmental

- All nations that rely on tourism to develop, experiencing uncontrolled pollution. Not to mention the impact on social and cultural norms of the country. Tourism can be the key of devellopment for some countries, provided that it is responsible.

*Coasts and seas - In coastal and marine areas, tourism pressures (along with increasing urbanisation, industrialization etc) have contributed to the

degradation of coastal areas, reduced water quality and increased pressures on marine resources

* Tourism pressures, industrialisation and urbanisation - are resulting in critical depletion of coastal resources.

* Waste - Litter and discarded waste in popular sites like Himalayas (Mt Everest) has been a major problem for a number of years. Parts of the

Himalayas recently underwent a clean-up campaign which has been a major suc cess for the area.

Political

Crime Free - tourists don't want to visit an area with high crime rates because they want to be safe. They want to be able to relax and feel safe without being on guard, constantly watching their belongings.

Political Stability - If there's a chance of war or anything like that then tourists will feel unsafe if things may happen to them and jeopardize their safety.

Healthy Environment - Toursits want a clean area, no litter, no diseases etc.

No one wants to go on holiday to a country where they are likely to get stabbed/robbed/catch a disease/get caught up in a war. Tourists want to relax. For countries trying to develop their tourism industry they have to make sure they are giving tourists what they want - a relaxing, enjoyable and safe holiday. If they cannot provide a safe area then no one will want to visit.

Positive & Negative Effects of Tourism

Due to the size, strength and impact of the tourism industry on local economies worldwide, the debate over the positive and negative effects of tourism is little more than a mentalexercise. But to develop sustainable tourism policies, a thoughtful consideration of these effects is necessary.

1. Economic Effects

o Tourism's primary benefit is the profit it brings the local and regional area. But the financial burden shouldered by a community to build and maintain a tourism industry is also a consideration. Tourism development also opens communities to encroachment by offshore corporations providing services to affluent tourists, funneling the biggest profits away from locals.

Environmental Effects

o Although tourism itself can disrupt or destroy ecosystems and environments, tourism can also be the very impetus for conserving an unspoiled landscape otherwise vulnerable to industrial development.

Cultural Effectso "Culture" is one of the chief consumables of tourism, and experiencing unusual cultures can be educational for the

visitor and highly profitable for the community. But tourism is a necessarily invasive process that thrusts traditional communities into the modern world, threatening their distinct lifestyles and cultural products.Social Effects

o Tourism employment brings new streams of income into a community but also inhibits individuals from performing traditional tasks, makingfamilies dependent on cash income from tourism and therefore less likely to participate in time-honored work and social activities.Political Effects

o Travel is touted as a means to close gaps between peoples, cultures and religions, but the extreme differences of wealth and lifestyle between locals and tourists in some areas can cause resentment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_India

Tourism by state

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh has a rich cultural heritage and a variety of tourist attractions. The state of Andhra Pradesh

comprises scenic hills, forests, beaches and temples. Also known as The City of Nizams and The City of

Pearls, Hyderabad is today one of the most developed cities in the country and a modern hub of information

technology, ITES, and biotechnology. Hyderabad is known for its rich history, culture and architecture representing its

unique character as a meeting point for North and South India, and also its multilingual culture,

Andhra Pradesh is the home of many religious pilgrim centres:

Tirupati, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the richest and most visited religious center (of any faith) in the

world.Srisailam, the abode of Sri Mallikarjuna, is one of twelve Jyothirlingalu in India. Amaravati's Siva temple is one

of the Pancharamams, Vemulavada temple, one of the old abodes of Lord Shiva, reputed as Dakshina Kashi -

Benaras of South India. Vemulavada temple is built by Chalukya Kings between AD 750 and 975. Yadagirigutta, the

abode of an avatara of Vishnu, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.

The Ramappa Temple and Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal are famous tourist spots and depict the finest taste

ofKakatiya dynasty for arts & culture and temple carvings. Warangal is also home to Medaram - the Asia's largest

tribal fair/festival called "Sammakka Saralamma Jatara".

Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basar is one of the only two Saraswati Temples in India.

The state has numerous Buddhist centres at Amaravati, Nagarjuna Konda, Bhattiprolu, Mangalagiri, Ghantasala,

Nelakondapalli, Dhulikatta, Bavikonda,Thotlakonda, Shalihundam, Pavuralakonda, Sankaram, Phanigiri and

Kolanpaka.

The golden beaches at Visakhapatnam, the one-million-year old limestone caves at Borra, picturesque Araku Valley,

hill resorts of Horsley Hills, river Godavari racing through a narrow gorge at Papi Kondalu, waterfalls at Ettipotala,

Kuntala and rich bio-diversity at Talakona, are some of the natural attractions of the state.Visakhapatnam is home to

many tourist attractions such as the INS Karasura Submarine museum, Yarada Beach, Araku Valley, VUDA Park,

Indira Gandhi Zoological Gardens. The weather in Andhra Pradesh is mostly tropical and the best time to visit is in

November through to January. The monsoon season commences in June and ends in September, so travel would

not be advisable during this period.

Delhi

Delhi is the capital city of India. A fine blend of old and new, ancient and modern, Delhi is a melting pot of cultures

and religions. Delhi has been the capital of numerous empires that ruled India, making it rich in history. The rulers left

behind their trademark architectural styles. Delhi currently has many renowned historic monuments and landmarks

such as theTughlaqabad fort, Qutub Minar, Purana Quila, Lodhi Gardens, Jama Masjid, Humayun's tomb, Red Fort,

and Safdarjung's Tomb. Modern monuments include Jantar Mantar, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Laxminarayan

Temple, Lotus templeand Akshardham Temple.

New Delhi is famous for its British colonial architecture, wide roads, and tree-lined boulevards. Delhi is home to

numerous political landmarks, national museums, Islamic shrines, Hindu temples, green parks, and trendy malls.

Goa

Goa is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India. A former colony of Portugal, Goa is famous for its

excellent beaches, Portuguese churches, Hindu temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. The Basilica of Bom

Jesus, Mangueshi Temple,Dudhsagar Falls, and Shantadurga are famous attractions in Goa. Recently a Wax

Museum (Wax World) has also opened in Old Goa housing a number of wax personalities of Indian history, culture

and heritage.

The Goa Carnival is a world famous event, with colorful masks and floats, drums and reverberating music, and dance

performances.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the second most visited state in India by foreign tourists,[15] with more than 2 million foreign tourists

arrivals annually. Maharashtra boasts of a large number of popular and revered religious venues that are heavily

frequented by locals as well as out-of-state visitors.

Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus are the three UNESCO World Heritage

sites inMaharashtra and are highly responsible for the development of Tourism in the state.

Mumbai is the most cosmopolitan city in India, and a great place to experience modern India. Mumbai famous

forBollywood, the world's largest film industry. In addition, Mumbai is famous for its clubs, shopping, and upscale

gastronomy. The city is known for its architecture, from the ancient Elephanta Caves, to the Islamic Haji Ali Mosque,

to the colonial architecture of Bombay High Court and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Maharashtra also has numerous adventure tourism destinations, including paragliding, rock

climbing, canoeing,kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving in places like Kolad, Tarkarli, Koyna, Manor. Maharashtra

also has several pristine national parks and reserves, some of the best ones are Tadoba with excellent

accommodation and safari experiences besides little known by amazing wildlife destinations like Koyna, Nagzira

(very small with incredible sightings), Melghat (disturbed with massive mining truck movement), Dajipur, Radhanagari

and of course the only national park within metropolis city limits in the world - Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The Bibi

Ka Maqbara at Aurangabad the Mahalakshmi templeat Kolhapur, the cities of Nashik, Trimbak famous for religious

importance and the city of Pune the seat of the Maratha Empire and the fantastic Ganesh Chaturthicelebrations

together contribute for the Tourism sector of Mahrashtra.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan, literally meaning "Land of the Kings", is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Northern India.

The vast sand dunes of the Thar Desert attract millions of tourists from around the globe every year.

Attractions:

Jaipur - The capital of Rajasthan, famous for its rich history and royal architecture.

Jodhpur - Fortress-city at the edge of the Thar Desert, famous for its blue homes and architecture.

Udaipur - Known as the "Venice" of India.

Jaisalmer - Famous for its golden fortress.

Barmer - Barmer and surrounding areas offer perfect picture of typical Rajasthani villages.

Bikaner - Famous for its medieval history as a trade route outpost.

Mount Abu - Is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan.

Pushkar - It has the first and one of the very Brahma temples in the world.

Keoladeo National Park - A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nathdwara - This town near Udaipur hosts the famous temple of Shrinathji.

Ranthambore - Has one of the largest national parks in India.

Tamil Nadu

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site provides a scenic view of hills through out its

41 km journey between Mettupalayam and Ooty (7500 FT above ground level).

Tamil Nadu  is the top state in attracting the maximum number of foreign tourists in India.[17] Archaeological

sites with civilization dating back to 3800 years[18] are found in Tamil Nadu. The state also holds the credit of

having maximum number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (5) in India which includes Great Living Chola

Temples and Mahabalipuram.

With more than 34000 temples,[17] Tamil Nadu has some great temples like Madurai Meenakshi Amman

Temple,Brihadeeswarar Temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

This state is also known for Medical tourism and houses some of Asia's largest hospital.[20][21]

Kanyakumari  is the southernmost tip of India provides scenic view of sunset and sunshine over the Indian

ocean. Hill stations like Yercaud, Kodaikanal, Ooty, Valparai, Yelagiri are widely visited. Water

Falls and Wildlife sanctuaries are located across the state. Pichavaram the world's second largest mangrove

forest are located in the state.[22]

Uttar Pradesh

Situated in the northern part of India, Uttar Pradesh is important with its wealth of monuments and religious fervour.

Geographically, Uttar Pradesh is very diverse, with Himalayan foothills in the extreme north and the Gangetic Plain in

the centre. It is also home of India's most visited site, the Taj Mahal, and Hinduism's holiest city, Varanasi. The most

populous state of the Indian Union also has a rich cultural heritage, and at the heart of North India, Uttar Pradesh has

much to offer. Places of interest

include Varanasi, Agra, Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Jhansi, Prayag,Sarnath, Ayodhya, Dudhwa National

Park and Fatehpur Sikri.

Historic monuments

The Taj Mahal is one of India's best-known sites and one of the best architectural achievements in India. Located

in Agra, it was built between 1631 and 1653 by Emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his wife, Arjumand Banu, more

popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal serves as her tomb.

The Mahabodhi Temple is a 2000 year old temple dedicated to Gautam Buddha in Bodh Gaya. It is a UNESCO

World Heritage Site.

The Nalanda is located in the Indian State of Bihar, was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 C.E to 1197 C.E

partly under the Pala Empire.[24][25] It has been called "one of the first great universities in recorded history."[25]

According to historical studies the University of Nalanda was established 450 C.E under the patronage of the Gupta

emperors, notably Kumaragupta.[24]The Brihadishwara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu built by the Cholas. The

temple is one of India's most prized architectural sites.The Airavateswara temple is located in the town of Darasuram,

near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.

The Shore Temple, along with the collection of other monuments in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu have been declared

as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Golden Temple is one of the most respected temples in India and the most sacred place for Sikhs. The Golden

Temple is located in Amritsar, Punjab, India.

The Bahá'í temple in Delhi, was completed in 1986 and serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent. It

has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. (It is

also known as the Lotus Temple.)

The Hawa Mahal in Jaipur also known as Palace of Winds.

The Taj Mahal Palace is an icon of Mumbai.

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, built during the British Raj.

The Victoria Terminus in Mumbai, built for Queen Victoria

Nature Tourism

India has geographical diversity, which resulted in varieties of nature tourism.

Water falls in Western Ghats including Jog falls (highest in India).

Western Ghats

Hill Stations

Wildlife reserves

Deserts

Wildlife in India

Royal Bengal Tiger in Sundarbans. The world's largest mangrove forest as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

India is home to several well known large mammals including the Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Asiatic

Lion, Leopardand Indian Rhinoceros, often engrained culturally and religiously often being associated with deities.

Other well known large Indian mammals include ungulates such as the domestic Asian Water buffalo, wild Asian

Water buffalo, Nilgai,Gaur and several species of deer and antelope. Some members of the dog family such as

the Indian Wolf, Bengal Fox,Golden Jackal and the Dhole or Wild Dogs are also widely distributed. It is also home to

the Striped Hyaena, Macaques,Langurs and Mongoose species.

India also has a large variety of protected wildlife. The country's protected forest consists of 75 National parks of

Indiaand 421 sanctuaries, of which 19 fall under the purview of Project Tiger. Its climatic and geographic diversity

makes it the home of over 350 mammals and 1200 bird species, many of which are unique to the subcontinent.

Some well known national wildlife sanctuaries

include Bharatpur, Corbett, Kanha, Kaziranga, Periyar, Ranthambore,Manas and Sariska.

The world's largest mangrove forest Sundarbans is located in southern West Bengal. The Kaziranga National

Park,Manas National Park, Sundarbans and Keoladeo National Park are UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hill stations

Several hill stations served as summer capitals of Indian provinces, princely states, or, in the case of Shimla,

of British India itself. Since Indian Independence, the role of these hill stations as summer capitals has largely ended,

but many hill stations remain popular summer resorts. Most famous hill stations are:

Mount Abu, Rajasthan

Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh - It is also known as The Queen of Satpura. Araku, Andhra Pradesh Gulmarg, Srinagar and Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir Darjeeling in West Bengal Munnar in Kerala Ooty, Yercaud and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu Shillong in Meghalaya Shimla, Kullu in Himachal Pradesh Nainital in Uttarakhand Gangtok in Sikkim Mussoorie in Uttarakhand Manali in Himachal Pradesh Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra Haflong in Assam

In addition to the bustling hill stations and summer capitals of yore, there are several serene and peaceful nature

retreats and places of interest to visit for a nature lover. These range from the stunning moonscapes

of Leh and Ladhak, to small, exclusive nature retreats such as Dunagiri, Binsar, Mukteshwar in the Himalayas, to

rolling vistas of Western Ghats to numerous private retreats in the rolling hills of Kerala.

Beaches

India offers a wide range of tropical beaches with silver/golden sand to coral beaches of Lakshadweep. States

like Keralaand Goa have exploited the potential of beaches to the fullest. However, there are a lot many unexploited

beaches in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharastra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. These states have very

high potential to be develop them as future destinations for prospective tourists. Some of the famous tourist beaches

are:

Beaches of Vizag, Andhra Pradesh Beaches of Puri, Orissa Beaches of Digha, West Bengal Beaches of Goa Kovalam Beach, Kerala Marina Beach, Chennai City Beach, Puducherry Beaches of Mahabalipuram Beaches in Mumbai Beaches of Diu Beaches of Midnapore, West Bengal Beaches of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Beaches of Lakshadweep Islands

Adventure Tourism

River rafting and kayaking in Himalayas Mountain climbing in Himalayas Rock climbing in Madhya Pradesh Skiing in Gulmarg or Auli Boat racing in Bhopal

Paragliding in Maharashtra

http://tourismmyworld.blogspot.com/

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/get-drenched-into-india-travel-tourism.html

http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/10th/volume2/v2_ch7_5.pdf

http://ezinemark.com/a/tourism-in-india/ - has articles abt tourism in india

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1040&bih=708&site=search&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=indian+tourist+places&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq= - lots of good images

http://www.iptv.org/exploremore/land/issues/iss_tour/tourism.cfm

http://unwto.org/en/search/google/sustainable%20OR%20IYE%20OR%20Main%20OR%20Menu?query=sustainable%20OR%20IYE%20OR%20Main%20OR%20Menu&cx=016125288609279991024%3Axpptm-3fnmk&cof=FORID%3A9&sitesearch=&hl=en&lr=lang_en

http://unwto.org/en/about/tourism - good site

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?start=10&q=tourism+in+india&hl=en&as_sdt=1,5 – good site

http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=SI1YFyUjUcMC&oi=fnd&pg=PA7&dq=tourism+in+india&ots=guotdERcMt&sig=ppTriBQfVWauu4j0cukjMvn4EaM#v=onepage&q&f=false - very good one