Tourism plays a
vital role in the economic development of a country. Tourism is the second
largest foreign exchange earner in India. The tourism industry employs a large
number of people, both skilled and unskilled. It promotes national integration
and international brotherhood.
Tourism is one
of the fastest growing industries of the world. It plays vital role in the
economic development of a country. India is one of the popular tourist
destination in Asia. Bounded by the Himalayan ranges in the north and
surrounded, on three sides by water (Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean),
India offers a wide array of places to see and things to do. The enchanting
backwaters, hill stations and landscapes make India a beautiful country.
Historical monuments, forts etc. add to the grandeur of the country. They
attract tourists from all over the world.
Tourism is the
second largest foreign exchange earner in India., Industries like transport including airlines
benefit a lot from this industry. India has a composite culture. There is a
harmonious blend of art, religion and philosophy. Thought India has been
subjected to a serious of invasions, she has retained her originality even
after absorbing the best of external influences. has co-existed in India. India
has fascinated people from all over the world with her secularism and her
culture.
The diverse
geographical locales of India delight the tourists. The monuments, museums,
forts, sanctuaries, places of religious interest, palaces, etc. offer a treat
to the eyes. Every region is identified with its handicrafts, fairs, folk
dances, music and its people. Some of the places that attract a huge number of
tourists are Agr, Jaipur, Jhansi, Hyderabad, Nalanda, Mysore, Delhi,
Mahabaleshwar, Aurangabad etc. Hardwar, Ujjain, Shirdi, Varanasi, Allahabad,
Puri, Ajmer, Amritsar, Vaishno Devi, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Rameshwaram etc. are
places of religious importance. Srinagar, Kullu, Manali, Dehradun, Nainital,
Darjeeling, Ooty etc. are famous hill resorts.
The Department
of Tourism was formed to promote international and domestic tourism in the
country. It provides infrastructure and carries out publicity campaigns. It
provides information aimed at promotion of tourist sites in the world market.
IOt formulates policies and programmes for the promotion of tourism in India.
It has officers in India and abroad. The Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel
Management, The National Council for Hotel management and Catering technology
etc. provide professionally trained personnel to the industry.
The Tourism
Advisory Board recommends measures for promotion of tourist traffic in India.
It reviews the tourist trends and suggests appropriate measures. Some of the
places, havelis and castles have been converted into heritage hotels. In these
hotels, the tourists get the experience the exotic lifestyle of the bygone era.
The exotic train 'palace on wheel's which travels through Rajasthan attracts a
lot of foreign tourists. The Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC)
organizes entertainment programmes like folk dances and songs and provides
shopping facilities. today many private companies like Sita Travels, Club
Mahindra etc. arrange domestic as well as foreign tours.
With the growth of urban professional middle class,
the tourism in India is flourishing, Many states have taken necessary steps to
promote tourism. Goa promotes water sports like sailing, scuba diving and
rafting. Kashmir offers the pleasure of winter sports like skiing and
mountaineering. Kerala has introduced the concept of houseboats in its lagoons.
Himachal Pradesh has developed winter sports in the state. Travellling to India
can be an enriching experience.