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Tourism in india: history and development.

Author: Bhatia, A.K.

Publisher: Sterling publishers, New Delhi

Source: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi

Type: E-Book

Received From: Archaeological Survey of India

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CHAPTER -IV HISTORY OF TOURISM IN INDIA Tourism in the early period

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India, since ancient times, had been a place of attraction for the foreign travellers because it has been one of the civilized parts of the Earth, not only in Socio-economic spheres and political structure but also in art and learning as well. In Asia, it was regarded as the center of flourishing of knowledge. Not only that her natural phenomenon, religious believe the Indian achieved tremendous glories in the field of science and technology, art and literature, were really strange for her neighbours and far reaching countries like Europe.

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Ancient India has hosted many foreign travellers. It was through the records and writings of these travellers, the world first heard about India and her people. Many of those travellers have documented the culture and lifestyle prevailing in the various parts of India then. The most prominent of the travellers are listed in this article. Megasthanese Megasthanese was the first important foreign traveller to reach India. He came here in about 305 BC, as a representative to Selucus, the then army general of Alexander the Great. He lived for many days at Pataliputra and visited various parts of India. He observed that the climate in India was good and the soil was very fertile. He wrote the book Indica about his experiences in the country. He remarks about the caste system and the various sports in the land in his book.

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The article explores the accounts of European travellers of sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in the context of images and representations of India. During these two centuries, about hundred travellers came to India from Europe and wrote accounts of their experiences. As travel writing had developed into a very popular genre in the early modern Europe, some of these accounts were published many times, translated into important European languages and read extensively. Some of them were also included in the popular anthologies and collections of travel writings. These travel accounts, therefore, became the first means to represent the 'reality' of India. This study is directly concerned with these early European representations and narrative constructions and problematizes them in relation to the 'reality' of India. KEY WORDS Travel Writing, Colonial India, European Imperialism, Early Modern Period, Orientalism

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This article throws light on the biographical sketch of the travellers' who not only witnessed and experienced the Indian culture, religious ceremonies and the society in the Mughal state but also penned down their observations on the basis of their perceptions and experiences. When we piece together their treatises, they give us interesting insight about the religious and cultural landscape of the Mughal Empire. A detailed account of their contacts with the state and the society will help us understand the original contributions to the accounts which they have written during or after their visits to India.

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Transport and the means of communication form an integral part of commercial activity. In medieval India, process of the building of roads and routes began with the rise of the second Afghan Empire. The key feature of successful administrative system of Sher Shah was the construction of vital roads which were well linked with the capital, Agra and ran in various directions. The greatest road amongst them ran from Sonargaon (Dacca) to the Indus. Other roads built by him were-Agra to Burhanpur, Agra to Jodhpur and Chittor and from Lahore to Multan. The roads were well planned and well connected with all the strategic frontier cities. For the comfort and convenience of travelers, not only were shady trees planted on both sides of roads but also serais (inns) were constructed at each two koses. Whatever development in trade and commerce was taken place during Medieval period was made possible due to improvement in communication system. Rapid development of trade and commerce was also supported by the improved transport and communication systems. Medieval Emperors adopted the positive attitude towards the monetization of the economy. One more important part that led to incredible expansion of trade was the influx of the European visitors in the form of traders which led to the growth in trade. The chief centers of silk weaving were Lahore, Fatehpur Sikri, and Agra, on the other hand, Cambay, Surat and Broach in Gujarat on the western coast considered as the chief ports for the big business. Through this manuscript, we try to highlight the responsibilities and caring attitude of Mughal government toward his subject in all matter those created obstacles and tries to provide their best which resulted in a flourishing empire.

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Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

India’s tourism growth has been exponential in the last decade. India attracts domestic and international tourists as a preferred destination. Tourism lets the international tourists understand and experience firsthand India’s cultural diversity. Official estimates paint a rosy picture of the Indian tourism industry. It has outperformed the global tourism industry in the context of growth in the volume of foreign tourists, including the corresponding revenue growth. The growth in Indian tourism has been commensurate with the growth in the Indian economy. The economic upsurge is perhaps the main reason for the growth in tourism in India. Nonetheless, the infrastructural constraint must also be admitted. If the current growth is to be sustained, the government needs to invest in infrastructure projects like hotels, transport, lodging and accommodation, improved roads, healthcare and hygiene, internet connectivity, etc. With the aim of sustaining the growth, the industry has, on the other hand, investing in new technology like CRM tools and state-of-the-art security systems.

Segments within Tourism

There are several segments within tourism; medical tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and eco-tourism, to name a few. India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage attracts millions of tourists each year to its monumental attractions led by the Taj. The traditional Indian way of life, simple and calm, appeals in a big way. India is also one of the popular eco-tourism destinations in the world, promoting conservation of nature, responsible travel, and sustainable environmental growth with minimum destruction. Its luxuriant flora and fauna and breathtaking biodiversity heritage from the wetlands in the Himalayan region to the natural caves in the Khasi and Garo hills, the backwaters of Kerala, and shifting sand dunes of Thar Desert draw tourists and academics from every corner of the world. Adventure tourism gives the Youth the thrill of trekking on challenging terrain, while Pilgrimage tourism explores the origins of religion and spirituality. Medical Tourism is one of the fastest growing segments within tourism. India has successfully leveraged its competitive edge in comparison with the other countries. India has the advantage of a strong pool of skilled doctors backed by a sound medical infrastructure. The quality of private healthcare here is world class, and the treatment and procedures cost-effective. Overseas patients flock to India for common treatments that India can offer at a competitive price. The most common of these include bypass and other heart surgery, hip and knee transplant, cosmetic surgery, and dental care, among others. India’s traditional therapies, including yoga and Ayurveda, are also popular rejuvenation therapies attracting foreign tourists.

Economic Importance of Tourism

The economics of tourism in India is mind boggling. The World Travel & Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated 8.31 lakh crore (US$120 billion) or 6.3% of the nation’s GDP in 2015 and supported 37.315 million jobs, 8.7% of its total employment. The sector is predicted to grow at an average annual rate of 7.5% to 18.36 lakh crore (US$270 billion) by 2025 (7.2% of GDP). In October 2015, India’s medical tourism sector was estimated to be worth US$3 billion. It is projected to grow to $7–8 billion by 2020. Domestic tourism has witnessed an exponential rise from 2000 to over 1.85 billion in 2018 and growing.

Tourism Challenges and Solutions The biggest challenge is to enhance nationwide tourism infrastructure. Upgrading the existing hotels and building many more with a focus on quality and target groups is essential. Cities that attract a large number of international tourists should be upgraded with world-class amenities, while participation of residents and the local community should be promoted in rural tourism. Another challenge is that ecotourism is fragile, and without proper regulations, it can unsettle the harmony between man and nature. There is an urgent need to develop human resources to meet the needs of the tourism and hospitality industry, both quantitatively and qualitatively. This would also check the fleecing of unsuspecting tourists by tricksters. More hotel management institutes should be established and more HM graduates absorbed in the sector. A pan India vocational training system should be established to harness local drop-outs and semi-literate youth in tourist hotspots to employ them as official tourist guides and other related profiles. Employment and rising incomes will also curb crimes against tourists, a problem that takes away a little too many footfalls in India and hurts the image of the country as well. Publicity and marketing is another area that needs re-thinking. “Incredible India!” campaign seems to have outlived its utility, for even Vietnam and Indonesia have a greater share in international tourist arrivals than India. We need to think beyond traditional means and emphasize rural tourism and adventure tourism, taking advantage of thrifty and extravagant classes. Lack of cleanliness is a major problem. Insanitary conditions and a dirty environment drive tourists away. Swachh Bharat Mission is a good step in this regard. World class amenities at major Ghats and cleaning of major rivers Ganga, Yamuna, etc., will definitely increase footfalls in the cities they flow by, namely Varanasi, Delhi, Agra, and so on.

National Tourism Policy

Recognizing these problems, the Government of India has drafted National Tourism Policy, 2015. More than 50% of the Ministry of Tourism’s expenditure on Plan schemes is incurred for the development of tourism infrastructure at various tourist destinations and circuits, e.g., PRASAD scheme for pilgrimage tourism augmentation, development of Buddhist circuit, etc. Such schemes need to be converged with other related schemes. For example, efforts of PRASAD could be converged with that of the HRIDAY scheme of the Ministry of Urban Development for heritage city augmentation. E-recognition of travel service providers such as travel agents, tour operators, etc., bodes well for the tourism trade. Market research is equally important for policy-makers for planning/ policy formulation and monitoring the progress of schemes and evaluating their impact. Cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) could further help increase international tourist arrivals and receipts. On this particular front, the easing of the Indian tourist visa regime has been a positive development.

India’s Tourism Competitiveness

India seems to be heading right despite challenges. It has shown the maximum growth in global tourism, jumping from the 40th rank in 2017 to 34th among 140, the only lower-middle-income nation among the top 35, in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019 published by the World Economic Forum. It shows India also greatly improved its business environment (89th to 39th), overall T&T policy and enabling conditions (79th to 69th), infrastructure (58th to 55th); and information and communications technology (ICT) readiness (112th to 105th),

Thus, tourism has the potential to transform the economy. With the right policies, requisite budgetary allocation systematised planning, and targeted action, it can indeed prove to be the next big thing for India.

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A STUDY ON ECO-TOURISM AND ITS SUSTAINABILITY IN INDIA

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Tourism in India

• 23 Jan 2019
• GS Paper - 3
• Indian Heritage Sites
• Temple Architecture
• Conservation
• Growth & Development

Why in News?

Growth of 5.6% in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during the period January-November 2018, as compared to the same period of the previous year.

Tourism in India (in brief)

• India attracted lot of travelers in the past due to its fabled wealth. Visit of Hieun-tsang, a devout Chinese Buddhist is an example of this.
• Pilgrim Travel got a boost when Emperors like Ashoka and Harsha started building rest houses for pilgrims.
• ‘The Arthashastra’ pointing out the importance of the travel infrastructure for the state, played important role in the past.
• Post-Independence, Tourism continuously remained part of the Five Year Plans .
• Different forms of Tourism like Business Tourism, Health Tourism, and Wildlife Tourism etc. were introduced in India after seventh FYP .

Latest Stats

• India’s Tourism is ranked at 7 th position in terms of its contribution to World GDP in World Travel and Tourism Council’s report in 2017.
• India as of now in 2018 has 37 sites listed under ‘World Heritage List’, 6 th most highest (29 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed site) in the world. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai were the latest to be added in 2018.
• Growth of 2.3% in the number of Domestic Tourist Visits in 2017 as compared to 2016.
• Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism registered a growth of 11.9% during the period January-October 2018 as compared to the same period of the previous year.

Importance of ‘Tourism’ in India

• Generates Income and Employment: In 2017, Tourism Industry accounted for 8% of the total employment . An increase has been witnessed in the sale of handlooms, handicrafts etc.
• Service Sector: It gives a push to service sector. A large number of businesses engaged in service sector such as airlines, hotel, surface transportation, etc. grows with the growth of tourism industry.
• Foreign Travelers help India in getting Foreign Exchange .
• Tourism helps in preservation of National Heritage and Environment by bringing in focus the importance of sites and need to preserve them.
• Renewal of Cultural Pride: Tourist spots being appreciated globally instills a sense of pride among Indian residents gets reinforced.
• Infrastructural Development: Now-a-days, it is ensured that Travelers do not face any problem; multiple use infrastructures are getting developed at several tourist places. Uttarakhand’s plan to start mobile caravans is a latest example.
• It helps in bringing India on global map of tourism, earning appreciation, recognition and initiates cultural exchange.
• Tourism as a form of soft power, helps in promoting cultural diplomacy, people to people connect and thereby promotes friendship and cooperation between India and other countries.

Challenges to the Growth of Tourism in India

• Tourists in India still face many infrastructure related problems like inadequate roads, water, sewer, hotels and telecommunications etc.
• Safety and security of tourists, especially of the foreign tourists, is a major hurdle to the tourism development. Attacks on foreign nationals raise questions about India’s ability to welcome tourists from far away countries. Among the 130 countries surveyed, India was placed at the 114th position in terms of safety and security aspect in the WEF Index 2017.
• Lack of skilled manpower is another challenge to Tourism Industry in India.
• Absence of basic amenities like drinking water, well maintained toilets, first aid, cafeteria etc. at tourist places.
• Seasonality in Tourism, with the busy season being limited to six months from October to March and heavy rush in November and December.
• Non-acceptance of International Cards at small outlets.

Recent Steps

• Indian Government has taken following steps to overcome the challenges:
• 13 Circuits are: North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit and Heritage Circuit.
• Integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations (includes employment generation) has been undertaken under the ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) Scheme .
• "Adopt a Heritage Project" plans to entrust heritage sites/monuments and other tourist sites to private sector companies, public sector companies and individuals for the development of various tourist amenities.
• Celebration of Paryatan Parv from 16 th to 27 th September, 2018, to encourage Indians to visit tourist destination in India.
• Incredible India Website to promote to and engage with travelers.
• Online Learning Management System for creating skilled manpower to work as tourist facilitators.

Way Forward

• Faster development of all sort of infrastructure (physical, social and digital) is a need of hour.
• Safety of tourists is a priority. An official guide system can be launched for tourists.
• Indian Residents should be motivated to treat tourists well, so that tourists don’t face any type of fraud.
• Promotion of other forms of Tourism like Medical Tourism, Adventure Tourism etc. to solve the problem of seasonality. Off-season concession is another solution.
• India’s size and massive natural, geographic, cultural and artistic diversity offers enormous opportunities. Indian Tourism industry should play on that.

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• Essay on Tourism

Tourism Essay

An introduction.

Tourism is the largest and fastest-growing industry across the world. It is a source of revenue and employment. It also gives the opportunity for people to understand the culture, civilization, and religious aspects of a country. There are many countries whose main source of revenue is Tourism. It is an export that is not visible which earns valuable foreign exchange without any substantial or actual loss of internal resources. Tourism is a unique type of highly labor-intensive industry. It provides different services that are needed as well as expected by the incoming tourists. Tourism is one of the largest industries in terms of money spent by tourists in the countries they visit. The amount received from the Tourism industries sometimes exceeds the Gross National Product of many countries.

India is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia and has been successful in attracting domestic and international tourists. India has fascinated many tourists across the globe with her secularism and her culture. The scenic landscape, hill stations, historical sites, architecture and monuments, beaches, and enchanting backwater, places of religious interest make India a preferred destination for tourists from all over the world. Tourism in India has immense potential of developing into a high revenue-generating industry. Better connectivity of transport and communication, improved hospitality services and standard of living and value of money to the tourists from foreign countries have led to an increase in domestic as well as international Tourism.

Tourism is one of the most important and fastest-growing industries in today’s world that creates a lot of job opportunities. It generates a lot of revenue and adds to the economy of the country. Apart from generating jobs and revenue, it gives an opportunity for people of different countries and cultures to move and mingle with other cultures and social environments for the purpose of entertainment as well as professional purposes. It is only through Tourism that the world can get closer and know each other both socially, culturally and religiously. It creates good bonding among people of different languages and cultures. It also paves the way to understand and explore the rich heritage and ancient history of an unknown place.

It is an export that is not visible which earns valuable foreign exchange without any substantial or actual loss of internal resources. Tourism is a unique type of highly labor-intensive industry. It provides different services that are needed as well as expected by the incoming tourists. Tourism is one of the largest industries in terms of money spent by tourists in the countries they visit. The amount received from the Tourism industries sometimes exceeds the Gross National Product of many countries.

India is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in Asia because of its beautiful landscape, rich cultural heritage, myriad attractions and valuable ancient history. India serves as the hub of different cultures and languages within it and has always attracted domestic and international tourists. In 2019 it has attracted 10.93 million international tourists and this contributed to almost 4.7% to India’s GDP.  India has also attracted international tourists because of the liberty it gives to different religions. The peaceful existence of people of 22 languages and 9 religions is a source of attraction for all international tourists.  India has a mosaic of enchanting hill stations, magnificent architecture and monuments, picturesque beaches, and enchanting backwater. India has always been famous for its hospitality services. Our guests are considered as God and the tourists feel quite safe in India. A lot of solo travellers prefer certain parts of India over any other place in the world. Indian Tourism gives proper value to tourists from foreign countries.

Benefits of Tourism in India

The Tourism industry gives a wide scope of employment to people. It has not only provided employment opportunities to people but also alleviated poverty and sustained human development. Tourism has promoted and benefitted small and local handicrafts and cultural activities. It has played a significant role in promoting national integrity and international understanding. The most important benefit of Tourism is to give a sense of relief and relaxation to people when they get tired and exhausted from their hectic schedules and hustle-bustle of city life. It is a pleasant gateway for people. The Tourism industry has also benefited other sectors like aviation, transport, horticulture, and handicraft. The hotel industry has immensely benefited from Tourism and provides ample employment and help in earning foreign exchange. This industry has become one of the major contributors to the GDP of the country. It has significantly contributed to the economic development of India by improving transportation and infrastructure facilities across the country.

Tourism has played a very vital role in reviving India’s art and culture. Tourists from foreign countries show a keen interest in the rich culture and heritage of India and this boosts the morale of the small artisans and adds to their novelty.

Promotion and Development of Tourism

For better growth, the Indian Government is taking a keen interest in promoting the different sections of Tourism such as rural Tourism, eco-Tourism, and spiritual Tourism, spa Tourism, and adventure Tourism. Nowadays, medical Tourism has also become an important source of revenue for the healthcare sector. Many people from our neighboring countries and from our western countries are turning towards India for affordable and world-class health care services and treatment.

Indian Tourism has grown significantly over the years. The services rendered to the tourists visiting India from foreign countries are the indiscernible products of the Tourism industry.  These products like hospitality services of all kinds for tourists turn into invisible exports because these services generate a lot of earnings without leaving Indian soil. The Tourism Ministry of India has played a major role in the development of the industry. The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) formed by the Tourism department has carried out many vital developments to encourage Tourism in India. The ITDC hotels are situated at the prime locations of important tourist destinations in India and provide comfortable and affordable boarding and lodging.

The launching of the ‘Incredible India’ campaign by the Government of India is instrumental in promoting India as a holistic tourist destination in the domestic and international markets. Other specialized international media campaigns under ‘Incredible India’ have been launched and even the celebrities of our country have been roped into making this campaign of ‘Incredible India’ a big success in foreign lands also.

The ‘Clean India’ campaign launched by the Indian Government ensures full cleanliness, which has become an indispensable norm at all the tourist destinations. The Government has also conducted regular studies to analyze the market in order to identify the key factors, income figures, holiday habits, and psychology of people. This helps them to identify the key drivers in the Tourism industry and tackle the issues that deter the scope of Tourism.

According to research reports, the medical Tourism market in the Indian healthcare sector is valued to be worth over three hundred million dollars with more than one lakh foreign patients coming every year. The Government has also gone a step further to permit foreigners to visit India on an e-Tourist Visa for attending short-term yoga programs. 

The Tourism industry is the largest service industry in India and has the potential to stimulate the economic growth of the country. It becomes important for all citizens to develop the Tourism infrastructure and maintain tourist destinations, railway stations, airports, rest houses, and hotels.

FAQs on Essay on Tourism

1. Which Countries in the World Depend on Tourism for Their National Revenue?

Countries like Maldives, Bahamas, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and many such countries depend on tourism for national revenue.

2. How does Tourism Benefit India?

Tourism in India generates mass employment and raises the income levels thereby contributing significantly to the economic development of the country. It has led to significant improvement in the transportation and infrastructure facilities across the country. The hotel industry benefits from tourism and provides ample employment and help in earning foreign exchange. This industry has become one of the major contributors to the GDP of the country. Tourism has also played a very vital role in reviving India’s art and culture.

3. What Measures did the Indian Government Take to Promote Tourism?

The Indian government has taken many measures for promoting the different sections of tourism such as rural tourism, eco-tourism, and spiritual tourism, spa tourism, and adventure tourism. Nowadays, medical tourism has also become an important source of revenue for the healthcare sector. The government has also taken a step to permit foreigners to visit India on an e-Tourist Visa for attending short-term yoga programs. The Government of India has launched the campaign of “Incredible India” which is instrumental in promoting India as a holistic tourist destination in the domestic and international markets. Other specialized international media campaigns under ‘Incredible India’ have been launched and even the celebrities of our country have been roped into making this campaign of ‘Incredible India’ a big success in foreign lands also. The Tourism Ministry provides financial assistance to the states, union territories, and other central agencies to develop tourism in their area and promote the culture and natural beauty of different regions and pilgrimage sites.

4. What is the ‘Clean India’ Campaign Started by the Ministry of India?

The ‘Clean India’ campaign started by the Ministry of India ensures full cleanliness, which has become an indispensable norm at all the tourist destinations.

5. What are the benefits of Indian Tourism?

Indian Tourism is one of the most important ways to add to its GDP. Tourism industry has released the excess dependency on the agricultural and manufacturing industry for employment to such a huge Indian population. It has given opportunities to the Indian craftsmen to get recognition of their work and income from their work. The Indian small scale industry has flourished mainly because of Tourism. The best part of Indian Tourism is that it has improved both national and international integration among the people. Indian Tourism has the capability to recharge, refresh and revive a tired mind with its beauty and different attractions.

6. Which is the most attractive type of Tourism in India?

India is famous for its rich cultural heritage. Variety of fairs and festivals throughout the year in different parts of the country makes it so colorful that international tourists cannot resist the attraction. Cultural heritage has been the best type of Tourism in the country. Good communication inside and outside the country makes it easily accessible also. Tourists can travel from the picturesque beaches of Goa to the great monuments of Agra and other parts of north India to great relaxing hill stations. It is definitely difficult to cover the whole of India in a month even but only a few famous parts can create such lingering memories in the mind of the tourists which they can cherish life long.

7. Why and what important measures have been taken to promote Indian Tourism?

The Tourism industry needs to be developed further to promote and strengthen national integration. It is the only way by which each and every Indian citizen is aware of their rich cultural heritage, a plethora of languages and religions. To improve the economy of the country this is one of the easiest ways to promote. Hence the Government has taken lots of measures to promote Indian Tourism. The Government has added spa Tourism and medical Tourism further to promote the Tourism industry. The India Tourism Development Corporation has taken lots of measures to encourage Tourism like the following campaigns:

Comfortable, safe and affordable hotels for tourists are not only prime locations but other areas also have been set up for the benefit of tourists.

The banner of the ‘Incredible India’ campaign by the Government of India has successfully promoted Indian Tourism among foreigners. The Indian celebrity has also taken part in this campaign to promote Indian Tourism.

The launching of the ‘Clean India’ by the Government provides a clean environment for the national and international tourists which is one of the most essential parts of Tourism.

8. How has the Tourism industry updated itself?

Tourism originated in the seventeenth century with the purpose of learning and understanding the history, civilization and rich art and cultural heritage of India. Indian international trade was also famous at that time for its huge resources. India has remained an attraction among international tourists since then. In the modern world, however, tourists are more business-oriented and commercially organized. This urges the need to promote business Tourism, sports Tourism, spa Tourism and also medical Tourism. Modern Tourism has taken a keen interest in the rich heritage of Ayurved both for medical and relaxing purposes. People who need medical help prefer India because of some good opportunities that they get in the Indian health system, comparable health infrastructure and affordable medical costs in India.

9. What are the roles of a citizen to promote the Tourism of the country?

The Indian Government has taken enough measures to promote Indian Tourism but that needs to be complemented by the people of India also. This is the responsibility of every citizen of the country to provide good hospitality and security to foreign travellers. The people of the country should always try their best to suggest the best tourist spots of the country and can give a brief outline of the country’s rich heritage. It is the responsibility of the citizens to maintain a clean environment for the travellers. The tourists should like India because of its hygiene and cleanliness also.