tourism industry (4)
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INTRODUCTION
Tourism has been a major social phenomenon of the societies all along. It
is widely acknowledged that tourism is one of the world’s largest & fastest
growing industries. India is a country with tremendous diversity has a lot to offer
in terms of tourism & related activities. In other words, heritage sight, cultural
attraction, beaches, health & wellness like yoga & ayurveda, Indian cuisines
provided for huge potential for the tourism sector in India. As the Travel &
Tourism industry holds tremendous potential for India’s economy, it is included
among the core sectors of the Indian Economy.
OPPORTUNITY
The opportunities in tourism in India range from constructing high quality
accommodation facilities operating tours & travel circuit to the development of
specialized tourisms like, History Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Medical Tourism,
Spiritual Tourism, Beach Tourism, Eco Tourism etc. The Government is making
tremendous effort in the areas of investment& infrastructure with an overall aim to
boost the tourism industry. At the present growth rate, the sector is very healthy &
boom will continue. By 2020, Tourism in India could contribute Rs.8, 50,000
crores to the GDP.
Indian Tourism Industry is thriving due to an increase in foreign tourists
arrivals & greater than before travel by Indians to Domestic & abroad destinations.
Domestic tourists are also fueling the industry’s revival. Aggressive advertising
campaign “INCREDIBLE INDIA “by the Government has also had contribution in
changing India’s image from that of a land of Snake Charmers & sparking new
interest amongst overseas travelers.
It is fast turning into a volume game where an ever burgeoning number of
participants are pushing up revenues of Industry players (Hotels, Tour operators,
Airlines, Shipping Lines etc). Thus tourism sector is expected to perform very well
in future & the industry offers interesting investing opportunities….
Future of Tourism Industry
Tourism is the biggest industry all over the world. It makes up 11% of the
GDP of the world. The situation in India is not very different. India is a very
beautiful country having tremendous unity in that tremendous diversity. This
country is full of natural beauty. Mother Nature has blessed us a lot & has
beautified our nation with white hilly mountains, green jungles, blue beaches etc.
etc. Now it’s our duty to expose & explore this beauty. Up to a certain extent we
have succeeded in it. But some places are still left unnoticed.
Simla is the Queen of Himalayas. It’s a big hit amongst domestic tourists,
but it has not yet taken among International tourists. The initiatives should be taken
in identifying potential tourist destinations & branding them & taking internet
marketing route to market it. Modern adventure sports should be developed.
Trekking areas should be identified along with development of adequate
infrastructure to support the inflow of tourists. Similarly, there can be orchids of
fruits, which should be made more presentable.
Handicraft is one industry which can be biggest benefactors from inflow of
tourists. More money should be spent on developing & increasing efficiency of
these handicraft units &trips should be arranged for international tourists to visit to
these units, where these handicrafts are being prepared & people can also buy from
these units.
MAHARASHTRA
Welcome to Maharashtra. A land whose sheer size and diversity will stun
you. Enjoy her mountains that stretch out into the mists as far as the eye can see.
Her innumerous forts that stand proud and strong. Her scores of temples, sculpted
into and out of basalt rock.
Her diverse and colorful cultures, woven into one gigantic quilt. Her
festivals that galvanize the sleepy thousands into fervent motion. And her miles of
silver, white beaches, stretched taut and inviting over the entire coast. Welcome
aboard a travel package that gives you a glimpse into this vibrant and beautiful
land.
Welcome to Maharashtra. A land untouched, unsullied, unlimited.
Maharashtra is one of the most industrialized states of India. Besides
Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay), Pune, Nasik, Aurangabad and Nagpur complete the
urban sprawl of the state. Marathi is the mother tongue of the people of the state,
who are known as Marathis or Maharashtrians. English and Hindi are widely
spoken and understood. International tourists with even a smattering of English
would not have a problem in communicating with the locals.
CITIES TO VISIT
Cities of Maharashtra with its vast stretch have numerous big and small
cities. Mumbai with its busy lifestyle and congested houses is the capital of
Maharashtra. Situated beside the sea Mumbai is considered to be the fasted city
and the film capital of India. The other important cities are Pune, Amravati,
Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Khandala, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nasik, Solapur,
and Thane
AURANGABAD
The gateway to the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora,
Aurangabad is named after the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. Lying along the right
bank of the Kham River, the city is the district headquarters, which offers visitors
all the modern comforts and amenities. There are several luxury and budget hotels,
shopping centers and banks
. In the city, there are three museums housing the art treasures of the region
-- the Sunheri Mahal Museum, the University Museum and the Chhatrapati Shivaji
Museum. You can also while away the hours in the pleasant confines of the Bani
Begum Gard.
Attractions
Aurangabad Caves:-
Aurangabad, too, has a group of Caves which are quite beautiful. These
Buddhist Caves were carved out of the hillside in the 6th or 7th century AD.
Aurangabad caves are just a few kilometers away from the famous monument of
Bibi Ka Maqbara. These caves are believed to be excavated between 2nd and 6th
century AD. Aurangabad caves are carved out of the hillside and are a fine piece of
architecture.
Bibi ka Maqbara;-
Bibi Ka Maqbara is situated 5 km away from Aurangabad. Aurangzeb’s son,
Prince Azam Shah built it in 1678 in the memory of his mother Begum Rabia
Durani. This mausoleum is a replica of the famous Taj Mahal
The central tomb, distinguished by elaborate surface ornamentation and
intricately perforated marble screens, is framed by four towering minarets.
Panchakki:-
An engineering feat of the time is the Panchakki, or the water mill built by
Malik Ambar in 1695. The water, channeled from a spring on a distant hill was
used to power the flour mill and grind grain for the pilgrims.
Darwazas:-
Most of the monuments in Aurangabad are of the Nizam Shahi, Mughal and
Maratha period. There are four main darwazas, or gates leading into the city.
Around Aurangabad
Daulatabad:-
Rising dramatically over 600 ft above the Deccan plain is the arresting sight
of Daulatabad. Once known as Devgiri, this fort served as the head quarters of the
powerful Yadava rulers. In the 13th century, Mohammed bin Tughlak, the Sultan of
Delhi, made it his capital and renamed it Daulatabad, or City of Fortune
Khuldabad:-
In the 14th century, several Sufi saints of the Chishti order chose to
reside in Khuldabad or the Abode of Eternity. The dargah, or tomb of Moinuddin
Chishti, the spiritual guide of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, is within this
sacred complex. The austere emperor himself rests nearby, in a grave as simple as
that of a common man’s, in striking contrast to the grand mausoleums of his
predecessors. Eloquent testimony to Aurangzeb’s simplicity is the inscription on
his plain tombstone: “No marble sheets should shield me from the sky as I lie there
one with the earth.”
Getting there:
Khuldabad is a part of the MTDC tour to Ellora. It can also be
reached by private taxis.
Anwa Temple:-
A Shiva temple, with beautifully carved sculptures and decorated
pillars stands in the village of Anwa, 10 kms east of Golegaon, on the main road
leading from Aurangabad to the Ajanta Caves. It was built in the 12th century, and
consists of a sanctuary, a mandapa or open hall with decorated pillars. The niches
have exquisitely sculpted images of Vishnu, Ganesha and other divinities.
Getting there:
Close by to Ajanta, Anwa Temple can be reached by taking a well-
marked diversion at Golegaon. Private car or taxi is probably the best mode of
transport.
Pitalkhora Caves:-
Thirteen Buddhist excavations, dating from the 2nd century BC to
the 1st century AD lie about 40 km northwest of Ellora, cut into the side of the a
secluded ravine. Comprising mainly viharas, they form the largest group of
Hinayana Buddhist structures.
Lonar Crater:-
170 kms from Aurangabad, is the village of Lonar. Over 30,000 years
ago, a falling meteorite struck the area creating the world's largest impact crater in
basaltic rock. Botanists have recently discovered vegetation life forms not found
anywhere else on this planet, in the stunning lake of the crater.
Getting there:
There are a few state transport buses that ply between Aurangabad
and Lonar; however the best way to go is by private car or taxi.
Paithan:-
51 kms south of Aurangabad, the looms of Paithan still weave the
beautiful Paithani saris that are prized by all Indian women. The town is also
famous for the Dnyaneshwar Udyan, which is the largest garden in Maharashtra,
and a museum which treasures a fascinating collection of art. The Jaikwadi Dam
nearby is a bird-watchers delight.
Getting there
There a number of state transport buses that leave at regular intervals for
Paithan from Aurangabad. In addition cars or taxis are easily available as well.
KOLHAPUR
Kolhapur city situated in the south west corner of Maharashtra, India.
It is situated on the banks of river Panchganga and provides the location for the
Mahalakshmi Temple. The city has strong cultural identity and lends its name
to many common terms like Kolhapuri Chappal , Kolhapuri lavangi mirchi,
Kolhapuri gur and Kolhapuri cuisine.
Kolhapur is also known as Kalapur for being home for artists (painters, singers,
Marathi cinema etc).
Attraction
Mahalakshmi Temple:-
This exquisitely carved temple draws millions of pilgrims from all over
India and is an important spiritual centre. Over the years, members of several royal
families have sought the blessings of the goddess -- Mahalakshmi or Amba Bai.
The temple complex has artistically sculpted structures and houses the temples of
other deities such as Kashi Vishweshwar, Kartikaswami, Sheshashayi,
Siddhivinayak, Mahaswaraswati, Mahakali, Shree Dutta and Shree Ram
Besides the ‘Palkhi’ ritual performed on every Friday, there are enthusiastic
celebrations on the Hindu festivals of Chaitra Poornima and Navratri. The temple
also holds music concerts wherein renowned artistes perform during festivals.
Timings: The temple is open from 4 pm to 11pm.
Devotees can stay at the nearby dharamshala (boarding house) for a nominal fee
The New Palace (Chhatrapati Sahu Museum):-
A royal palace partly converted into an unforgettable museum, the New
Palace has lush green parks, a zoo and a picturesque lake to soothe tired souls.
The museum houses rare paintings and artifacts used by the royal family.
Royal weapons and a tableau depicting court life of the last century create an
aristocratic ambience.
The Town Hall Museum:-
Antiques found during the excavations at Brahmagiri, old sculptures, filigree
work in sandal wood and ivory, old coins and paintings of master artists of the
region are all displayed here.
The Old Palace:-
Located behind the temple of Mahalakshmi, this magnificent structure has
an impressive marquee with filigree work in stone. It also houses a temple of the
goddess Bhawani.
Binkhambi Ganesh Mandir:-
Students of architecture will enjoy visiting this place as this unique temple
does not have any pillars.
Around Kolhapur
Panhala:-
It is famous for its history. There are innumerable places of interest, each
with its share of haunting anecdotes. Sajja Kothi, where Sambhaji was imprisoned.
Ambabai Temple, where Shivaji used to seek blessings before venturing on
expeditions. Pavankhind, where Baji Prabhu laid down his life to cover Shivaji's
escape. It also offers some inspiring scenery and a soothing climate
Vishalgad:-
The name Vishalgad itself connotes grandeur and magnificence. This
picturesque fort contains the Amriteshwar Temple, Takmak Tok, Sati Vrindavan
and the dargah or tomb of Hazrat Malikdhyan Baba, visited by hundreds of
devotees.
Getting there:
Vishalgad is 76 kms north-west of Kolhapur
Narasimha Wadi:
This holy place is situated on the confluence of the rivers Krishna and
Panchaganga. It is well known for the holy padukas or slippers of Dattaguru (an
incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh).
Getting there:
Narasimha Wadi is 45 kms from Kolhapur.
Jyotiba:-
Situated at a height of 3100 feet, this holy site nestles in the mountains near Wadi
Ratnagiri. Jyotiba is supposed to be an incarnation of three gods -- Brahma, Vishnu
and Mahesh and the seer Jamadagni. A mammoth colorful fair takes place on the
full moon night of the Hindu months of Chaitra and Vaishakh
Getting there:
Jyotiba lies 17 kms north-west of Kolhapur.
Giroli Tourist Park:-
Tropical flora and fauna, the wild cry of the peacock, the chirp of
the forest birds and then a well-planned visit to Panhala, Jyotiba, Warnanagar and
the carvings of Pohale, make for a complete holiday experience. The restaurant in
the park offers delectable food from Kolhapur, Goa, Karnataka and the Konkan
region.
Dajipur Bison Sanctuary:-
The jungle resort of Dajipur is situated on the border of Kolhapur
and Sindhudurg districts. Surrounded by rugged mountains and dense forests, this
secluded little place is completely cut-off from human habitat. Home to bison, wild
deer, chital, and many more spectacular wild animals and birds.
Dajipur is an exciting and beautiful holiday getaway, situated 1200 metros
above sea level. An excursion in the vicinity to the Gagangiri Maharaj's Math
makes for a pleasant outing. This scenic resort near the backwaters of the
Radhanagari Dam is highly recommended for wildlife lovers and nature
enthusiasts.
Getting there:
Kolhapur, about 80 kms away is the most convenient airport and
railhead. It can be accessed by road as well. Radhanagari to Dajipur is 30 kms.
MUMBAI
Welcome to the city that never sleeps! Pulsating, Alive, On the Move, Vibrant, Fun
-- this is Mumbai or as it is still frequently referred to -- Bombay. The most
modern city in India, it captures the spirit of the changing pace set by liberalization
and modernization. Once a cluster of seven islands, Mumbai was presented to King
Charles II in 1661 as part of the dowry when he married Princess Catherine de
Braganza of Portugal. It is the capital of Maharashtra state, and its official
language is Marathi although English and Hindi are widely spoken and understood.
Attractions
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market (Crawford Market):-
A busy market area, this is best visited early on in the day. The fruits and
vegetable section offers the best of produce. Depending on when you visit, the
fruit/s of the season is always a good buy.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus):-
This is a magnificent building, and considered to be architecturally one of
the finest stations in the world. Built by the British in 1888, it has exquisite
ornamentation on its facade along with beautifully executed panels and friezes. It
holds the statue of Queen Victoria on its dome.
Flora Fountain and the Gothic buildings of the Fort Area:-
The Flora Fountain stands on the site of the old church gate of the Bombay
Fort, now a major crossroad named Hutatma Chowk. It is named after the Greek
goddess Flora. Other buildings to see in the Fountain or Fort area are the University
of Mumbai buildings including the imposing Rajabhai Tower, the Mumbai High Court,
the Old Secretariat, and the Institute of Science on one end. Close by is situated St
Thomas Cathedral, the Asiatic Society of Bombay or Town Hall, the Office of the
Director General of Police, the General Post Office and the Thomas Cook building.
Jahangir Art Gallery:-
Close by to the Prince of Wales Museum, this gallery is the showcase for
contemporary art. The displays change regularly. Outside is the Artist's Plaza with
more paintings on display and sale. Open daily from 11 am to 7 pm.
Prince of Wales Museum:-
This is one of Mumbai's finest example of Victorian architecture. It is undoubtedly
one of India's finest museums and houses treasures, artifacts, paintings and
sculpture from the many periods covering India's history, including the Indus
Valley Civilization. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30 am to 6 p
Gateway of India:-
Mumbai's most striking monument, this too was designed by
George Witted. It has an imposing gateway arch in the Indo-Saracenic style with
Gujarati and Islamic elements such as wooden carvings. It was built to
commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. This
area is also the departing point for ferries plying to Elephanta Island and other
beaches across the port. Behind it is the beautiful old (and new) structure of the Taj
Mahal Hotel
Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach:-
This is the stretch now known as Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Road with Nariman
Point on one end to Babulnath, at the foot of Walkeshwar on the other. Chowpatty
Beach is a teeming mass of people, vendors, masseurs and roadside restaurants
with its specialties being bhelpuri and kulfi. Across the Chowpatty Beach area is
the Taraporewala Aquarium. Marine Drive is also referred to as the Queen's
Necklace because of the dramatic line of street lamps lit up at night.
Malabar Hill:-
This is essentially an up-market residential area with some spectacular
views of the city surroundings. On the road climbing up, is a Jain temple dedicated
to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankara. There is also Parsi Towers of Silence.
Towards the other end is the Banganga temple complex at
Walkeshwar, considered to be one of Mumbai's holiest sites. Local legend has it
that the Hindu god Rama rested here on his way to rescue Sita (his wife) from
Lanka. The Banganga Tank is supposedly the spot where Rama shot his bow.
Further away is the British built Raj Bhavan, the residence of the governor of
Maharashtra. The Banganga Festival of Music is a yearly highlight, and is in the
month of January usually.
Mani Bhavan:-
This simple and charming museum was where Mahatma Gandhi lived on his
visits to Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. Gandhi's room and belongings including
his books are on display. Mani Bhavan is situated on Laburnum Road, near the
August Kranti Maidan, where the 'Quit India' movement was launched in 1942.
Open daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm.
Mahalakshmi Temple:-
The Mahalakshmi Temple is a popular holy site as Mahalakshmi is the goddess of
wealth. It is situated at one end of Breach Candy -- a trendy residential and
shopping area, now known as B. Desai Road.
Hajji Ali Shrine:-
Further along the seashore, at the end of a long pathway surrounded by seawater is
the shrine dedicated to Hajji Ali, a Muslim saint. Access is only at low tide via the
sea.
Siddhivinayak Temple:-
Located in the Prabha Devi area of Mumbai, this popular temple dedicated
to Ganesh was rebuilt on the site of a 200-year old temple. Built of black stone, the
idol of Ganesh is two and a half feet in height and two feet in width.
An unusual feature of the statue is that the trunk turns to the right, not often
found on Ganesh idols. Tuesday is the main day of darshan and puja, but this
temple is frequented by hundreds of devotee’s every day.
Juhu Beach:-
This suburban beach is great favorite with Mumbaites, and has plenty to offer
everyone. Like Marine Drive's Chowpatty, Juhu 'Chowpatty' is a vendor's delight
with innumerable food counters. It is a wonderful place to bring kids, as it doubles
up as an amusement park, play ground, and open-air restaurant. An unusual sight at
this beach is the camel ride, which is both fun and popular.
Around Mumbai
Elephanta Caves:-
Across the Mumbai Harbor, lie the seventh-century rock-cut temples of
Elephanta. Once known as Gharapuri, or the Fortress City, the Caves are now
designated as a World Heritage Site and visited by hundreds of tourists both for
their art historical and scenic value. The Portuguese renamed this island Elephanta
after a large stone elephant found near the shore ( the elephant sculpture collapsed
in 1814, when the British relocated it to the Victoria Gardens now Mumbai's zoo,
where it still stands).
Getting there:
Approach to the Island is by boat. Luxury and ordinary launches as
well as catamarans leave for Elephanta from Apollo Bunder at the Gateway of
India. Boats usually leave every half-hour from 9 am to 2 pm from Apollo Bunder
and between 1 pm and 5 pm from Elephanta Island. Tickets are sold at booths near
the Gateway of India and the MTDC offers daily tours to the Island. During the
monsoons the ordinary boat services are usually suspended.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Kanheri Caves:-
104 sq. kms of green hills and forests, this protected area lies near the
northern suburb of Borivali. In fact the park was formerly known as the Borivali
National Park. There is a Lion Safari Park 500 m inside the entrance and safari
rides run daily except Monday from 9 am to 5 pm. The park is also well known as
the 109 Kanheri Caves ( in particular Cave 3), built between the 2nd and 9th
centuries as viharas (monasteries) and chaityas (prayer halls).
Getting there:
Visitors can take the train on the Western line (from Churchgate) to Borivali
station and then an auto-rickshaw to the Caves. On Sundays and public holidays, a
bus service runs from Borivali station to the Caves. The MTDC suburban tour also
includes Kanheri in its itinerary.
Marve, Manori and Gorai:-
North of Mumbai and away from its bustling crowds and pollution, are these
3 beaches that have become popular havens for Mumbai's beleaguered fun lovers.
Marve, the closest and the quietest is a lovely little fishing village. There are some
beautiful bungalows and up-scale homes belonging to the city's wealthy used
mainly as weekend getaways. Low hills along the beach offer you extraordinary
views of sunrise and sunset. Gorai and Manori, a little further away, are more
crowded with travelers and are famous for all night beach parties.
Getting there:-
Marve is about 40 kms by car from Mumbai. You can alight at Malad
railway station (a suburban station on the Western Railway line) and proceed by
road. A 15 minute ferry ride from Marve or Borivali will take you to Manori or
Khandala, Lonavala and Karla: -
Khandala and Lonavala are two charming hill stations on the western slopes
of the Sahyadris. Very popular with Mumbaites, they also alternate as getaways
and health resorts. Khandala is the smaller and calmer of the two, though browsing
through Lonavala's bazaar could yield some wonderful surprises.
Getting there:-
Pune 66 kms away, is the nearest airport. All trains from Mumbai to Pune
and the South stop at Lonavala. Mumbai is 104 kms away by road, the last 20 kms
of which wind up the Ghats through grueling switchbacks. Taxis and auto-
rickshaws easily available in Lonavala and Khandala are the best way of getting to
and from Karla.
Matheran:-
Matheran is an undulating hilltop cloaked in shady trees. The journey
involves an adventurous two-hour ascent in a toy train, with food and drink
vendors and monkeys jumping on and off as the valley glides by sedately.
Alternately, a tough 11 km hike through thick and shady forests or a winding car
drive can get you there as well.
Getting there:-
Mumbai, 100 kms away is the nearest airport. Neral station, 21 kms away is
where you can catch the toy train. Mumbai by road is about 108 kms from
Matheran via Karjat and Neral. Pune is 120 kms away. All cars and buses stop at
Dasturi just outside, from which you can walk, take a horse or a hand-pulled
rickshaw into the town. State Transport buses ply regularly from Mumbai and Pune
Entertainment
Nightlife
Nightlife in Mumbai is best described by the fact that Mumbai is a city that
never sleeps. Trendy 'pubs' and discos or nightclubs are located in the
Fountain/Colaba area and the suburbs too have plenty to offer. Many restaurants
double up as bars and nightclubs and stay open till late hours. For those on a
budget, the local beaches such as Chowpatty and Juhu have a life of their own
during the nights and often people are found strolling on the beachfronts enjoying
the cool breeze. Both serve as playgrounds, open-air restaurants and amusements
parks.
Bollywood and Movies
India's answer to Hollywood, Bollywood films have a fantastic mix of
action, violence, music, dance, romance and an almost non-existent story. Hindi
films are a part and parcel of life not just in Mumbai but probably all over India.
The industry rooted in Mumbai, produces over 200 films a year and is the largest
maker of films anywhere in the world. The film stars or as they known as in 'filmy'
parlance, the heroes and heroines are treated as mega-stars and likened to gods and
goddesses. The masses adore their 'masala' films because they allow the people of
India to escape into a fantasy and hang on to their dreams.
Film City in Goregaon, Natraj in Andheri and RK Studio in Chembur.
Next to Hollywood, Mumbai is world's largest production centre for films. The
Film City: 'Bollywood', as it is called, produces the second most number of films in
the world every year
Theatre and Music
Traditionally, Mumbai has always had a strong local following for both
music and theatre. In fact, theatre performances in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and
English are of a very high standard. Both serious plays and lighter 'spoofs' or
farcical comedies are performed. Usually plays are held on the weekends, as in
many cases the actors have other professions as well..
For music, dance, drama and the movies, the Government of India's tourist
office publishes a fortnightly guide with the latest information of what's on.
NASHIK
One of the holy cities of the Hindu tradition, Nasik lies on the banks of the sacred
river Godavari and has a population of about 1.4 million people. It is believed that
Lord Rama, hero of the great Indian epic, the Ramayana, spent a major part of his
exile here. Nasik is also a temple town, with over 200 temples. Nasik today is
rapidly developing in ITs, industries, Pharmautecals and westernization. It is also
famous for its pleasant and cool climate. Nasik is also an educational hub. It is well
connected to all cities of Maharashtra by road, rail and air. The artillery centre at
Devlali in Nasik is well famous. Nasik also holds the Kumbhmela in 12 years
once. Someshwar, Bhandardara, Shirdi, Kalaram Temple, Ramkund, Sita Gufa,
Sapthsringi Gad and Ganagapur Dam are the tourist places near Nasik
Today, Nasik is a bustling township with a blend of the ancient and the
modern. Scattered across the city are numerous forts and majestic temples. But it is
also the home to many industries. The Security Printing Press of the government,
which prints the nation's currency, is located here. It is part of the green belt and is
renowned for the various fruits and vegetables it produces. In fact the yield of
grapes, strawberries and onions in Nasik is amongst the highest in the country.
Attractions
Ramkund:-
This holy tank was built in 1696 by Chitrarao Khatarkar. It is believed that
Rama and Sita used to bathe in this tank during their exile. It is in this tank of holy
water or kund that religious Hindus even today, immerse a dead person's ashes so
that the soul of the dead person can attain moksha or liberation. The ashes of
numerous personalities such as Pandit Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Y B Chavan and
others have been immersed at Ramkund.
Muktidham Temple:-
This famous temple is located near Nasik station,. The Muktidham Temple
is pure white, the color signifying holiness and peace. White Makrana marble was
used to build this temple which has very unusual architecture. Unique to this
temple are the 18 chapters of the Gita written on the walls. A visit to this temple by
Hindus is considered as a visit to the 4 dhams or holy centers.
Kalaram Temple:-
This temple was built in 1794 and is similar in its architectural design to the
nearby Trimbakeshwar Temple. It was built with black stone from the mines of
Ramsej Hill. There is a beautiful gold-plated copper peak on the temple. There are
icons of Rama, Sita and Laxman lavishly adorned with adornments. The temple is
surrounded by several smaller temples such as the Vithal Temple, Ganapati
Temple and Maruti Temple.
Pandavleni Caves:-
The Pandavleni Caves are located on a tableland on Trivashmi Hill. Built by
Jain kings these Caves are around 2000 years old. There are some 24 Caves that
were home to Jain saints such as Tirthankara Vrishabdeo, Veer Manibhadraji, and
Ambikadevi. There are sculptures of the Buddha and bodhisattvas as well. The
cave complex consists of large Caves, which were probably the meeting place of
disciples and areas of preaching sermons. There is several water tanks chiseled into
the rock.
Around Nasik
Shirdi:-
. Popularly known as the 'Child of God', Sai Baba preached tolerance
towards all religions and the message of universal brotherhood.
Every activity at Shirdi revolves around the vast temple complex dedicated
to Sai Baba. Devotees start queuing up in the early hours of dawn to catch a
glimpse and seek the blessings of the life-size statue of Sai Baba. Thursday is
marked by special pujas and darshan of the Sai Baba statue.
There are other places of interest that devotees can visit as well including
Dwarkamani Mosque where the Baba meditated and slept on alternate nights. Near
the mosque, in a corridor is the dhani or eternal flame that burns day and night
Getting there:-
It is easily accessible by road from Nasik.
Trimbakeshwar:-
Nasik is famous for the Trimbakeshwar Temple and as the source of the
Godavari River. Trimbakeshwar enshrines one of the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to
Shiva and this one is considered to be the main jyotirlinga.
Legend has it that Guatam Rishi performed a rigorous ritual of prayer and penance
or tapasya to Shiva on Brahmagiri Hill which rises above the present-day temple.
Pleased with this devotion, Shiva is said to have blessed him and brought down to
earth from heaven the sacred rivers of Ganga, Gautami and Godavari.
Getting there:-
It is connected by bus and taxi service.
Dudhasagar Waterfalls:-
This is one of the more picturesque spots around Nasik. Cascading 10 m into
the valley at Someshwar are the Dudhasagar Waterfalls. The spumes from the
waterfall appear milky white and hence the name dudha or milk. You can reach the
waterfall easily as there are steps cut into the rock. This spot is particularly
beautiful just after the rains.
Getting there:-
It is easily accessible by road from Nasik.
Saptashringi Devi Temple:-
The temple of goddess Saptashringi resides at Wani. The goddess is known
to have possessed 18 weapons in 18 hands and is positioned ready to fight the
demons.
The journey to the temple also has some interesting sights to offer. This is the site
where Sita the wife of Rama used to bathe. This destination is filled with stories
and legends connected to the Ramayana.
Getting there:-
It is easily accessible by road from Nasik.
Bhandardara:-
Bhandardara is a place which is particularly beautiful after the rains. The
Bhandardara Dam is one of the oldest dams in Asia and is known for its Umbrella
Falls - an arresting sight.
Getting there:-
Accessible by road from Nasik.
Jawhar:-
It is famous for its vibrant Warli paintings. It invites you to forget your daily grind
and all the turmoil’s that go with it. Jawhar is blessed with exotic dales, rich forests
and a wonderful climate. Jai Vilas, the palace of the tribal lords, and the relics of
Bhupatgad are worth a visit. The scenic beauty of the Dadar Kopra Falls, the
enchanting Hanuman and Sunset Points .all explain why Jawhar is known as the
'Mahabaleshwar of Thane District'. Nearby is Shirpamal, where Shivaji camped on
his way to Surat.
Getting there:-
Nasik is the nearest airport. Three convenient railheads are Nasik, Igatpuri and
Dahanu. From Mumbai it is 180 kms by road, 80 kms from Nasik, 39 kms from
Kasa and 56 kms from Tribakeshwar.
PUNE
Pune is called as Queen of the Deccan, Oxford of the East, and cultural capital of
Maharashtra, Pune is a city with a future that promises to be as interesting as its
history. Pune is the second largest city in the state.
However, after the battle of Panipat in 1761, the Maratha Empire began to
decline and in 1818, Pune was taken over by the British East India Company.
Today, Pune is the centre of traditional Marathi culture, in which education,
arts and crafts, and theatre are given pride of place. It has one of India's oldest
universities and its numerous colleges attract both Indian and international
students, which is probably why it is called the Oxford of the East.
It is surrounded by verdant hills and beautiful lakes; Pune has a temperate
climate and is among the greenest urban areas in the country.
Attractions
Osho Ashram:-
Osho Ashram, also known as the Osho Communal Centre is located at the greenery
area of 17 Koregoan Park of the city. The Ashram offers a variety of expensive
courses on meditation. Osho Ashram attracts a number of devotees each year
including a large number of them from the western countries since early 70s even
though Osho expired in 1990.
Shaniwar Wada:-
Built in 1736, Shaniwar Wada was once the palace of the Peshwa rulers. To this
date, Shaniwar Wada has been the city's main landmark. Within easy reach from
all parts
of the city, Shaniwar Wada was mysteriously destroyed in a fire in 1827.
Mysterious fires continued to raze down portions of Shaniwar Wada in the early
19th century, and the entire palace --barring its Mirror Hall was burnt in the fire
that broke out for about a fortnight. This palace is located in the narrow winding
old part of the city. The palace is open from 8 am to 6.30 pm. This site is covered
in the Pune city tour.
Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum:-
The museum has nearly 20,000 collections of objects paintings, handicrafts,
armor-suits, musical instruments and many other objects of art and artifacts
collected from all over the world. The building has been designed in a Rajasthani-
style, but the galleries give a clear depiction of the life and culture of the Marathas.
Dinkar Kelkar spent almost 60 years traveling and purchasing objects from the
remote areas and towns of India. Dividing into 36 sections, the collections are
confined mostly to everyday life like pots, lamps, containers, nutcrackers, pen
stands. 'Mastani Mahal' is regarded to be the masterpiece to this museum, which
was erected here in its original form. The museum is open from 8.30 pm to 5.30
pm daily. The museum is covered in the Pune city tour
Tribal Museum:-
The Tribal Museum documents the cultures of Maharashtrians communities,
particularly those from the Sahyadri and Gondawana regions. It is open weekdays
from 10 am to 5 pm. The city tours do not halt at this site.
Gandhi National Memorial / Aga Khan Palace:-
It is a historical landmark. It was donated to India by the Aga Khan IV in
1969. During the 1942 Quit India Movement, Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned
here. On the grounds are the remains (samadhi) of Kasturba Gandhi, Mahatma
Gandhi's wife, who died here while in internment. The memorial is open from 9
am to 5.45 pm. The city tour makes a stop here.
Bund Garden:-
Bund Garden is located on the right bank of the Mula Mutha River. A stroll
in the breeze and a cool evening boat ride in the back waters created by the 'Bund'
on the river attract many fun lovers.
Saras Baug:-
. The garden has pleasant lawns and a famous Ganesh Temple, which was
built by Madhavrao Peshwa. The best time to visit this garden is in the evening.
Peshwe Udyan:-
A zoo maintained by the Pune Municipal Corporation. It houses a variety of
species of wild animals. The zoo offers a toy-train ride -- a very special attraction
for children, and boating facilities for the family.
Snake Park:-
It is at Pune since 1986. The park has collection of a wide range of reptiles,
birds, and others. The special attraction is the six-year-old, nine feet long King
Cobra. Temples of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Vishnu and Kartikeya, Goddess
Parvati are also there near the park.
Around Pune
Panshet Dam:-
Panshet is very popular for water sports like Speed Boats and Water
Scooters etc. One can have a nice road to Panshet surrounded by dark green
woods.
Bhatgar Dam:-
One of the highest river dam walls in India built on river Velvandi, Bhatgar
Dam is 40 kms from Pune. Fun lovers often frequent the entire area around the
dam. ST buses play between Pune and Bhatgar Dam
Pimpri Chinchwad:-
As you leave Pune, and start going towards Mumbai, by the perpetually busy
Mumbai-Pune national highway or by a train on the Central Railway, around 20
minutes later you will notice an increasing number of industrial establishments
present on both sides of the road. This is a sure sign that you are now entering the
area of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.
Raigad:-
This is the very heart of Maratha country -- Raigad, the capital of Shivaji's
kingdom. Strategically perched atop a wedge-shaped block of hill, split off from
the Western Ghats and inaccessible from three sides. Stories of incredible valor
and heroic deeds are etched on every pebble at Raigad.
CAVES
Maharashtra is famous for its caves. The state has the largest number of caves in
India. The caves in Maharashtra are so old, dating back to as early as 1st century
BC. Most of the caves were used as the viharas (hall) and chaityas (pillared
religious caves) by Buddhist, Hindu and Jain priests. These caves showcase fine
arts and crafts of the historical past.
Dating back to the 2nd BC and artistically built over a few centuries, the
Caves of Maharashtra have an extraordinary appeal and aura. Nestled in the
formidable Sahyadri Mountain Range, these caves have been home to monks of
different religions.
Be it the paintings in the Ajanta caves or the sculpture of the Ellora caves, or
the divine presence in the Elephanta caves, the visitors have always and will
always continue to be spellbound. These caves offer a visit that is truly
unforgettable. A visit that will induce a sense of discovery, a discovery of the self,
and of the divine.
FORTS
Standing as silent sentinels to history are the 350-odd forts of
Maharashtra. Beaten by the sea waves, lashed at by the torrential Deccan
rains, or scorched in the blazing sun, stand imposing ramparts and crumbling
walls. The last lingering memories of Maharashtra's martial times. Nowhere
in the country would you encounter such a profusion of forts. And such
variety. Sited on an island, as at Murud-Janjira or guarding the seas as at
Bassein, or among the Sahyadri hills, as at Raigad, whose zigzags walls and
rounded bastions sit like a scepter and crown amidst hills turned mauve.
Most of the forts in Maharashtra whether up in the hills or near the
seas are associated with Shivaji --the great Maratha warrior and an equally
great fort builder. Moreover, these forts were treated as mini-cities, such as
Panhala, which is now a hill station. The concept of the fort-city was,
however, not peculiar to Shivaji alone. The Portuguese who came to India as
traders and missionaries, built within a century of their coming, Bassein, a
garden city to rival many a European capital.
Today, these forts numbed by sun and sleet, have not only been
witness to changing times, but have also shaped them and within their walls
throb the heart-beat of history.
FESTIVALS
Festivals Organized by MTDC:-
Every year, MTDC seeks to present the myriad facets of
Maharashtra's rich heritage of the performing arts through a series of
festivals held at important cultural centers. The years have added a
mesmerizing allure to these events, now avidly awaited by lovers of Indian
music, art and culture, who appreciate the artistry of India's leading
exponents of classical music and dance who come from all over the country
to perform at the festivals.
The Pune Festival:-
Lord Ganesh, or Ganpati as he is popularly called in Maharashtra, is
among the most beloved of Hindu Gods. As Ganesh Chaturthi - his day of
birth - approaches every year in August-September, so does the Pune
Festival, a celebration of art and culture, song and dance, custom and
tradition. Originally conceived as a localized cultural event, the Pune
Festival has, over the years, gained national and international stature and
evolved into one of India's landmark cultural happenings. It is one of the few
festivals that has been consistently and actively promoted abroad by the
government of India, as a major tourist attraction. Some of the country's
internationally renowned artistes have gathered at Pune, and regarded it as a
privilege to be invited to perform at the festival. While it has provided a
unique platform for exponents of classical music and dance it has, keeping
pace with changing times, also helped to promote modern trends in the
performing arts, notably the dramatic arts and the traditional art of rangoli. A
rare treat, the week-long Pune Festival provides a feast of entertainment for
visitors who can participate and revel in traditional and modern sports
events, shop for exquisite textiles and handicrafts relish the delectable
cuisine and rejoice in the colorful customs of Maharashtra.
The Elephanta Festival:-
In February Elephanta, a small island near Mumbai, is a favored
destination for culture lovers. It is the site of the Elephanta Festival, the
tranquil abode of Lord Shiva, just one-and-a-half-hour's journey by motor
launch from Mumbai. Once known as Puri or Gharapuri, the island was the
proud capital of a powerful coastal kingdom. It was named Elephanta by the
Portuguese, who took possession of it several centuries later, and found a
monolithic stone elephant at the place they first landed. The Elephanta
Caves are a showcase of legends created around Lord Shiva, beautifully
presented here in all his splendor in the rock cave temples. Every year,
renowned dancers and musicians perform outside the Caves, beneath a star-
studded sky, to a select and appreciative audience. Special launch services
and catering arrangements are provided for visitors.
The Ellora Festival:-
There was a time when the Gods grew bored in their celestial abode.
They asked the Lord if they could visit the earth. That evening, He said they
could, but on condition that they returned by dawn. The Gods set up a city at
the place they fancied and, lost in their pleasures, they let time pass by.
Since they failed to return by dawn, they were turned to stone - in the
magnificent monolith called Ellora, the heavenly abode of the Gods on earth.
MTDC organizes the Ellora Festival near Aurangabad in December, inviting
in renowned artistes who display their virtuosity in music and dance.
Surrounded by 1,400-year old Caves and rock carvings, artistes perform in
this magnificent ambience to enchant the gods, goddesses and human lovers
of art.
The Kalidas Festival:-
Kalidas was a great Sanskrit poet and dramatist, famous for his
historical drama, Shakuntalam, and for the epic poem, Meghdoot. The
Kalidas Festival brings back memories of the golden period of the Vidarbha
region. Ramgiri, or Ramtek as it is popularly known today, is the place that
inspired Kalidas and its beauty features predominantly in his literary work.
Every year, in November, some of the greatest exponents of music, dance
and drama perform in the picturesque setting of Ramtek, celebrating its
glorious heritage over two exciting days and nights.
Shilpotsav-2008:-
In order to promote Ajanta & Ellora, the world heritage sites as well
as Aurangabad as a tourist destination in the international map, MTDC is
organizing the Shilpotsav-2008 at Ayuodhya Nagari Ground, Aurangabad in
association in Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, Dev. Commissioner
(Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, GOI, Dev. Commissioner (Handloom),
Ministry of Textiles, GOI, New Delhi for the period from 21st Nov. to 5th
December, 2008 on the similar lines of Surajkund Craft Mela.
The Shilptosav-2008 will provide art, craft, food and cultural
activities of Maharashtra as well as other states to the tourists visiting
Aurangabad. The entire area will be decorated in the esthetic manner
highlighting historical features of Aurangabad through the reputed art
director. The selected master craftsmen 120 nos. approx. from all over
country will be invited through the Office of the Development
Commissioner (Handicrafts) & Dev. Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry
of Textiles, New Delhi along with the DRDA Group. The quality cultural
programmers, folk dance groups as well as street performers from
Maharashtra and other states will be arranged during the said event. A
separate food court will also be set up at the venue in which various ethnic
delicacies from Maharashtra as well other parts of the country will be made
available to the visitors.
Hill Stations of Maharashtra
As the state of Maharashtra is the Home of Sahyadri Mountains, the state
has many appealing hill stations. The Britishers founded most of these hill stations
during their colonial era to beat the scorching heat. But the beauty and the
charming glory are still alive in these hill stations. The Western Ghats, which form
a part of the Sahyadri range, has also lots of beautiful hill stations.
Hill stations of Maharashtra not only attract the foreign tourists but also
Indian domestic tourists, which are exhausted with the fast urban life. Popular hill
stations of Maharashtra are Matheran, Lonavala, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar,
Panchagani, Bhandardara, Malshej Ghat, Amboli, Chikhaldara Panhala, Panchgani,
Sawantwadi, Toranmal, and Jawahar. It is said that each hill station of Maharashtra
has unique characteristic and its closeness to a city makes it very popular.
Maharashtra Beaches
Having a coastline of 330 miles (530 km) along the Arabian Sea, Maharashtra
owns variety of beaches. One can find not only crowded and posh beaches like
Juhu and Marine Drive Chowpatty beaches but also earthy and sleepy beaches like
Harnai and Bassein, which are a bit slow but provide a peaceful and pollution-free
environment. There are beaches for adventure lovers as well like Velneshwar and
Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar.
In Vijaydurg-Sindhudurg and Dahanu-Bordi beaches, one may go down to the
memory lanes of the history. Here, one can discover the remains of ruined forts
and even the existence of Portuguese culture in these areas. Murud-Janjira,
Dahanu-Bordi and Shriwardhan-Harihareshwar are the beaches, which can enjoy
both the sizzles of a typical beach as well as a pilgrimage site.
Maharashtra Monuments
Maharashtra has a long history that had in turn contributed a lot in the
overall history of India. Maharashtra witnessed different eras and dynasties. These
all make Maharashtra - a state of historic and magnificent monuments.
Different schools of art and architecture can be seen in these monuments.
The Gateway of India in Mumbai is one of the most famous monuments in India. It
is regarded to be the starting point for most tourists who want to see Mumbai.
Anybody who wishes to see the Mughal touch can see the Chand Minar in
Daulatabad. The Maharajah's New Palace in Kolhapur has a museum called
Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum. The architecture of the palace is a combination of
Jain and Hindu influences from Gujarat and Rajasthan, and local Rajwada style.
Agakhan Palace is hugely popular and significant monument of Maharashtra,
as it is associated with the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi. Khuldabad, Kesari
Wada, Lal Mahal, Raste Wada, Shaniwar Wada and Vishrambag Wada are other
popular historical monuments of Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Religious Places
Maharashtra has many religious sites and pilgrimage places for different
faiths. Nasik is the holy city for Hindus. Kumbh Mela is organized here for every
three years and Maha Kumbh Mela for every twelve years.
Mumbadevi Temple of Mumbai is a very famous temple known to all over
India. Kailash Temple in Aurangabad is one of the oldest and best examples of
excellent architecture.
Pandharpur, Shirdi, Bahubali Temples are other the famous temples of
Maharashtra.
Hazi Ali tomb in Mumbai is over eight hundred years old and linked to
the mainland by a path that is annually submerged in the high monsoon tide.
Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib of Nanded is the most
important Gurdwara in Maharashtra. It is one of the four high seats of Authority of
the Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru died in Nanded and his ashes
are buried in the Sach Khand Shri Huzur Gurdwara on the side of the river
Godavari.
Osho Ashram in Pune too attracts a number of devotees each year
including a large number of them from the western countries since early 70s even
though Osho expired in 1990.
Mount Marry Church and Afghan Memorial Church in Mumbai are famous
for their old and western architecture.
Pandharpur is located in a place, which is 65 km away from Sholapur on the
banks of river Bhimarathi. This place is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in
Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Wildlife
Maharashtra is home to many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. These
national parks and sanctuaries are home to many rare species of flora and fauna.
Thanks to the state government, these parks are well safeguarded and try to
upgrade with every year to attract foreign and domestic tourists.
Modern amenities such as jeep rides, night safaris, library and audio-visual
facilities, comfortable accommodation and efficient transport are also available at
these parks at a nominal charge. Most of the sanctuaries and the park have lakes
with serene beauty.
Chapala Wildlife Sanctuary, Tadoba National Park, Chikhaldhara, Dajipur,
Bharmragarh Wild Life Sanctuary, Navegaon National Park, Tipeshwer, Bor
Wildlife Sanctuary are the important sanctuaries in Maharashtra. Pench Jungle
camp is a special accommodation facility available at the Pench National Park,
which is located on the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Other Maharashtra Tourist Attractions
Alibaug: It is in Raigad District. It is situated very close to the Arabian Sea and is
a wonderful place for relaxation. Alibaug has beaches and historical monuments
like forts, temples and beautiful beaches.
Appu Ghar: It is in Pune. Number of children games is available at this fun park.
Appu Ghar also attracts youngsters. There is a cool and comely Lake for older
generation people near the park. For games, funs and frolics, it is a place worth
visiting.
Baneshwar: It is situated 30 km away from Pune. This place is known for its
scenic beauty and Baneshwar Temple. There is a garden and a small stream behind
the temple. Visitors enjoy playing and swimming over here.
Bhushi Dam: It is a very popular picnic spot, which is located at a distance of
about 5 km from Lonavala. A wonderful waterfall near the dam is one of the most
thrilling spot. The dam is full with rainwater in monsoon.
Brahmagiri: It is located in Nasik. This is a mountain of 550m in height.
Brahmagiri is the source of the Holy Godavari River. Godavari flows in three
directions from the mountain - Godavari, Vaitarna, Chakra Tirth. Kolambika Devi
Temple, Kolambika Devi Temple and Gorakh Gumpha Ganga Sagar are the other
attractions near it.
Chaul: It is an old Portuguese settlement, located 40 km south of Mumbai.
Portuguese settled here in 1522, and this area was later taken over by the Marathas.
Visitors can find forts, churches, ancient Buddhist caves, temples and the ruins of
an old Portuguese palace here.
Deolali Camp: It is one of the oldest important Indian army military centers. It is
located 16 km away from Nasik. One can also shop at Deolali market near the
camp. There is the famous temple of Lord Khandoba on the hills.
Esselworld: It is Mumbai's only international-style theme park and amusement
centre situated close to Gorai Beach. Esselworld offers over 40 exciting rides,
games, and attractions. The Water Kingdom of the fun park is said to be the largest
of its kind in Asia.
Film City: It is located away from Mumbai's hurly burly life, on a quiet locality of
Aarey Colony. The Film City is equipped studios, recording room, a theater, and
facilities like garden, lakes, ground for fighting scenes, helipads etc. for outdoor
shooting.
Gardens
University Park: Pune University's premise spreads over 400 acres of sprawling
grounds with quiet roads and small open canteens towards the city suburbs.
Mr.Woodrew laid out the university garden. Spending a pleasant quiet evening at
this garden is refreshing.
Town hall Garden: Covering an area of about 7 to 8 acres, Town hall garden is at
Kolhapur city. The garden has full of old precious tropical and exotic trees, shrubs,
lawns, creepers and climbers. The construction of the Town hall building was
completed in the year 1876, while the Glasshouse was constructed in the year 1904
and Marble bust of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was installed in the year 1927. An
archaeological museum has been added to the beauty.
Ryewood Park: Ryewood Park is at Lonavala city, just half km from Lonavala
railway station. Covering an area of about 25 acres, the garden has full of natural
vegetation, grooves of evergreen deciduous trees, creepers and climbers. There is
an old Mahadeo temple in this park. The garden is regarded to be very good picnic
spot for Mumbai-Pune public.
Kamala Nehru Park: Kamala Nehru Park is on the top of the Malabar hills,
which offers superb views of Mumbai. Built in 1952, the park is named after the
wife of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The park spreads over an
area of 4,000 square yards. One can enjoy a magnificent view of Marine Drive, or
'Queen's Necklace' at night.
Hanging Gardens: Hanging Garden is also on the Malabar Hill. One can enjoy a
panoramic view towards Mumbai's Colaba area, and the view of sunset is
breathtaking. The garden is built over three reservoirs, which store 30 million
gallons of water pumped here for cleaning before being supplied to the town. The
garden is well maintained. Joggers and fitness freaks flock to the garden in the
morning and evening.
Empress Garden: The Empress garden is a botanical garden, which is located on
the Sholapur highway with different varieties of flowers and trees. This botanical
garden covers a large area in the heart of the Pune cantonment, very close to the
Pune racecourse. The garden, which is a well-known picnic spot, has appealing
lawns.
Maharashtra Waterfalls
Dudhsagar waterfall, Thoseghar waterfall, Lingmala fall, Dhobi waterfall,
and Chinaman's waterfall are the important waterfalls in Maharashtra. Dudhsagar
waterfall, situated at Someshwar is a favorite destination for youngsters where they
come often to liven up their spirits. This is one of the best picturesque spots in
Nasik. The waterfalls are 10m long and the water is milky white, so it is called
Dudhsagar waterfall.
Thoseghar, near Satara is famous for its serenity, calm and quiet nature. It is
a newly developing picnic spot. Thoseghar is really a wonderful place where one
can enjoy the beauty of the nature. July to November is the best season to visit
Thoseghar. Dark woods and a clean lake add to the beauty of this hilly region.
There are also other small waterfalls here, which are about 15-20 meters high. The
highest one is of around 500 meters. Satara is on the Pune - Bangalore Highway,
and is about 115 km from Pune.
Lingmala Falls, Dhobi Waterfall, and Chinaman's waterfall are the
waterfalls in Mahabaleshwar. July to December is the best time to see these
waterfalls. Venna Lake is not far from here, which is on the way of Panchgani.
Dhobi W path connecting Petit Road with Old Mahabaleshwar Road near Lily
Cottage.
Chinaman's Waterfall is on the Carviali Road, which can also reach by the
Tiger Path Road or from Babington Point. Chinese convicts to cultivate the
adjoining fields formerly used it; hence the fall is known by this name.
Mahabaleshwar is 120 km from Pune via Panchgani.
Waterfall is on the bridle path connecting Petit Road with Old
Mahabaleshwar Road near Lily Cottage.
Chinaman's Waterfall is on the Carviali Road, which can also reach by the
Tiger Path Road or from Babington Point. Chinese convicts to cultivate the
adjoining fields formerly used it; hence the fall is known by this name.
Mahabaleshwar is 120 km from Pune via Panchgani.
What exactly is tourism?
In the true sense, the term ‘Tourism’ is the phenomenon of the
post-second world war period when the word tour entered into the
common usage, especial ly in the English language. The term tourist
is said to be derived from the word ‘Tour’ which is meant a journey
at which one return to the start ing point; a circular tr ip usually for
a business pleasure or education Tourism in i ts f irst create was
considered as a sport or rather as a synthesis of automobiles,
touring, cycling, camping, excursion and yachting .
Definition of tourism:-
“Tourism is a pleasure activi ty in which money earned in once
normal domicile is spent in the place visi ted”
Fundamentals of tourism:
The following are some of the fundamentals of tourism:-
1) Travel and tourism is the second highest foreign exchange
earner for India, and the government has given organization in
this industry export house status.
2) The industry is waking up to the potential of domestic tourism
as well with an est imated 4.7 bil l ion domestic tr ips in2001.
3) Tourism spending within India in 2005 was US$22bil l ion as
there is there is considerable government presence in the
travel and tourism industry.
4) Each state has a tourism corporation, which typically runs a
chain of hotel , motel and operative package tours, while the
central government runs the India tourism development
corporation.
5) Divestment of these states-run run tourism corporations have
ei ther already taken place or are in process.
6) Incoming foreign tourist arrivals have shown 6% compounded
annual growth rate over the last 10 years
7) The government has realized the potential and has advanced
several incentives to promote infrastructure growth in the
sector.
8) Current investments are l ikely to see hotel room capacity
increase by 20% over the next three years, with several
international hotel chains entering this industry.
INDIA’S HISTORICAL PAST:
India is the country offering wide variety and an ancient land
having a r ich historical past , with an area of 3,287,263 sq
kilometers and a coastl ine of 6,083 km
India’s f irst major civil izat ion flourished for a thousand years
from around 2500 B.C along the Indus river valley.
The ancient ci t ies l ike MOHENJO-DARO & HARAPPA had a
sophist icated drainage system and even organized garbage
collection. Despite of extensive excavations only is known about
the development of this civil izat ion.
The two great rel igions Buddhism and Hinduism had their bir th on
the sub-continent
The VEDAS writ ten around 1500 to1200 B.C tel l the victory of
Brahma over INDRA.
BUDDHISM enjoyed a spectacular growth after ASHOKA
embraced i t and spread i t far and wide
THE NEW TOURISM POLICY RELEASED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF TOURIM OF INDIA
The policy introduced by the tourism department has the following
init iat ives:-
The new policy buil t has the 7-S Mantra of Swagat (welcome),
Soochana (information), Suvidha (facil i tat ion), Suraksha (securi ty),
Sahyog (cooperation), Sanrachnaa (infrastructure) and Safaai
(Cleanliness).
The new policy envisages making tourism a catalyst in employment
generation, wealth
Creation, development of remote and rural areas, environment
preservation and social integration.
The policy also aims to spruce up economic growth and promote
India’s strengths as a tourism destination that is both safe and as the
same t ime excit ing.
The policy proposes the inclusion of tourism in the concurrent l ist of
the Construction so as to enable both the central and state
government to part icipate in the development of sector.
No approval; is required for foreign equity of up to 51 percent in
tourism projects, enhanced equity is considered on a caste-to-case
basis.
NRI investment is al lowed up to 100%.
Approvals for technology agreements in the hotel industry are
available on an automatic basis, subject to the fulfi l lment of certain
specified parameters
Concession rates on customs duty of 25% for goods that are required
for ini t ial set t ing up, or for substantial expansion of hotels.
50% of profi ts derived by hotels, t ravel agents and tour operators in
foreign exchange are exempt from income tax. The remaining profi ts
are also exempt if reinvested in a tourism related project .
Approved hotels are enti t led to import essential goods relat ing to the
hotel and tourism industry up to the value of 25% of the foreign
exchange earned by them in the preceding l icensing year. This l imit
for approved travel agents / tour operators is 10%.
Features of tourism
Market of tourism need to be aware of the following tourism feature:-
1. Product highly perishable:-
The tourism products are highly perishable. If the products
remain unused, the chances are lost . If the tourists don’t visi t a
part icular place’ the opportunity is lost . If the opportunity is lost , the
moment is lost . This adversely affects the tourism business.
2. Service product:-
The products sold to the tourists are services. This requires high
degree of personnel commitment, imagination, adaptat ion, etc. i ts
intangibil i ty poses problems for those interested in marketing tourism.
3. user’s presence essential:-
For avail ing tourism services, i t is essential that the users
come to the spot personally or physically. I t can’t be brought to the
users; rather the users must be taken to this product.
4. not a homogeneous product:-
I t is important here to mention that tourism is not a
homogeneous product since i t tends to vary in standards and quali ty
over t ime.
5. largely psychological In attractions:-
tourism products are largely psychological In their
at tractions since when a tourist buys a package tour, he buys more
than simple collections of services i .e . aircraft seat , hotel rooms three
meals in a day, opportunity to si t on a sunny beach.
6. Highly risky product : -
The risk of use is heightened as the
purchase may precede the actual consumption of the product. The
experience of the excellent hotel may be marred by a disappointing
fl ight to the destination and holiday at the sea-side can be ruined
by a prolonged rain spell .
7. Supply component rigid : -
The numbers of factors are responsible for the r igidly and
elast ici ty of the supply components of tourism like rai l , roads,
airports etc.
8. Demand is instable : -
I t is r ight to si t that the tourism products
are subject to instabil i ty of demand. A number of factors are
responsible for the same l ike seasonal variat ions and high elast ici ty
of demand. Sudden impact of external and environmental factors,
for instance economic recession and boom, depressed or increased
demand.
9. Product standard depend upon staff : -
Trained and experienced staffs are needed
to make available the refined services. Essential ly, they should be
good in dealing with the users. This applies to al l office staff as
well as to the couriers and guide.
Facts of tourism:-
The following are the some of the facts of tourism:
The tourism product can only be experienced.
I t is a service product which is perishable.
The customer has to directly approach the centre for the
pleasure.
The providers are uncoordinated but they are required to make
active efforts .
A prospective tourist requires mult i-pronged information
about the destination to be visi ted.
The data bank has information l ike:
1) Importance of the tourist’s center and their history.
2) Climatic condit ion.
3) Availabil i ty of the accommodation.
4) Transportat ion.
5) Communication catering, recreational or entertainment
facil i t ies.
6) Customs and immigration formali t ies, interest t ravel facil i t ies.
7) The law of the land etc
Tourism statistics:
Tourism is one of the world 's fastest growing industries at
present and holds the status of the world 's no. 1 industry.
The tourism as a whole is presently est imated to earn over US$
3.5 tr i l l ion worldwide.
I t creates a job every 2.4 seconds with every one of those direct
jobs creating another 11 indirect ones.
Spending on tourism amounts to 5%-10% of total consumer,
spending in a year worldwide.
India 's share of the total market is a pi t tance at 0.51%. The non-
tourist countries l ike Malaysia and Indonesia get much more
tourists than India.
However, the average duration of stay of foreign tourist in India
is one of the highest in the world. On an average, i t exceeds 27
days in the case of non-package tourists and is 14 days in the case
of package tourists .
Tourism has the dist inction of being the third largest export
industry after gems and jewellery and readymade garments in India.
The Tourism foreign exchange earnings in India are around $3.2
bil l ion. Tourism is the highest foreign exchange earner if we
consider the fact that net value addit ion in Gems and jewellery is
less than 30 % whereas, in tourism it is more than 90 %.
India: Tourism Revenues and Expenditures 1990-2010
I t also has one of the best employment mult ipl iers when
compared with any other industry in India. I t generates maximum
job opportunit ies, as i t provides direct employment to 9.1 mill ion
people and indirect employment to another 12.4 mill ion. But these
stat ist ics do not appear so impressive when viewed in the global
perspective and compared with that of other countries shown in the
graph below.
Tourists Arrivals and Receipts From Tourism 2006:-
Tourism has been a neglected sector in India. Though i t was
recognized as a priori ty sector in the Seventh Five Year Plan,
hardly anything was done to promote this industry.
Though the government has promised to give industry status to
tourism, st i l l , budgetary support for this department is a mere Rs.
379 crore. This is despite a total tax collection of about Rs. 2000
crore in 2006 from this sector.
The tourism industry currently stands 127 t h on the l ist of
priori t ies of the Indian government. I t is t rue that India has yet to
reach the prosperi ty level where leisure activi ty can be included in
the priori ty sector but , i f solving the country 's unemployment and
foreign exchange problems are on the top of the national agenda,
the potential of this industry cannot be neglected.
Benefits of tourism:-
The following are some of the benefi ts of tourism as per directed
by the department of tourism, 2005
1) The generation of income, expansion of employment
opportunit ies, and mobil ization of foreign exchange, social
integration, cultural t ransmission and commercial ization of a
part icular place or region are some of the key outputs of the
tourism industry.
2) The exchequer is also benefi ted by the contribution of this
industry to the mobil izat ion of the tax revenue, generation of
the national income, transformation of the regional economy
or so.
3) In addit ion the tourism is also considered a potential force for
making possible world peace for mutual appreciat ion and
international understanding.
4) The industries also give rise to managerial proficiency,
professionalism and to e more specific the innovative
marketing practices.
5) Tourism marketing comprises market research for gett ing up
to date information to manage the marketing information
system, promoting tourism by making possible effective
communication, or t imely distr ibution by ensuring and
formulating market plan by strengthening the co-ordination,
control and evaluation process.
The user of tourism services:-
Introduction
The domestic as well as the foreign tourists avail the services of
the tourism industry.
The tourists already avail ing the services are known as the
cultural tourists whereas the tourists have the wil l ingness and
potential i t ies of traveling but presently not ut i l izing the services
are known as the potential tourists .
The tourists belonging to the country where tourist centers are
available are known as the domestic tourist whereas the tourists
coming abroad are foreign tourist .
Even the domestic tourist are of two categories, viz, the tourist
coming from the rural areas who are called as rural tourists
where as the tourist coming from the urban areas are called as
the urban tourists .
The rural tourist s has dist inct taste and temperament. Generally,
they prefer to at tend or travel the rel igious places. The payment
capacity of the rural tourist is generally low. They are also
i l l i terate and emotional .
On the other hand, the payment capacity of the urban tourists is
relat ively high compared to the rural tourists .
The user of tourist services can also be categorized such as
General , Sex, Region, Education, etc.
1. General: Domestic, Foreign
Kids, Teens, Youths, seniors
Students, Executives, Artists
Poli t icians, Movie stars
2. Sex: Men, Women
3. Region: Rural , Urban
4. Education: Literate, I l l i terate
5. Status: Rich, Poor
6. Profession : Executives, Academics, Sportsmen, Artists
7. Occupation : White collar , Blue collar
Another method of classifying users of tourism services is on the
basis of the frequency of usage of services .
1. Non-users: They lack the wil l ingness, desire and abil i ty
( income & leisure t ime).
2. Potential Users: They have the wil l ingness but the marketing
resources have not been used optimally to influence their
impulse.
3. Actual Users: They are already using the services generated
by the tourist organizations
4. Occasional Users: They have not formed the habit of
traveling
5. Habitual Travelers: They have formed a habit and avail of the
services regularly.
Segmentation
Segmentation is useful when deciding the offerings to target a
part icular segment. For example:
The mass market consists of vacationists that travel in large
groups and prefer al l- inclusive tours. They are generally
conservative.
The popular market consists of smaller groups going on inclusive
or semi-inclusive tours. This group includes pensioners and ret ired
people.
The individual market consists of chairmen, senior executives,
etc.
As the l i festyle changes, consumption of services might change.
For example, a newly married couple might prefer romantic
hol idays, but once they have chi ldren they would prefer family
vacations where there are plenty of act iv it ies to entertain k ids.
Teens and youth might prefer adventure holidays whereas senior
ci t izens would probably prefer more relaxing vacation.
BASE OF SEGMENTATIONCATEGORIES
Demand Pr imary
Secondary
Oppor tuni ty
Geography Interna t ional
On the bas is of regions , c i t ies , e tc .
Psychography Lifes ty le
Personal i ty mot ive
Knowledge
Demography Age
Sex
Rel ig ion
Socio-economic Rich, Poor
Rura l , Urban
Li tera te , I l l i te ra te
Purpose Business Travel
Cul tura l Tour ism
Common In teres t Convent ion
Age Teens
Youth
Impact of tourism industry on Indian environment:-
Tourism is a invisible trade that st imulates many economic
benefi ts .
I t in fact generates more employment opportunit ies.
I t leads to a low level of investment due to the expenditure of
the tourists .
I t helps o generate foreign exchange earnings. E.g. i t
generated for Indian foreign exchange earnings of more than
11000 crores in 197-98.
I t would be more advisable and beneficial for the Indian
economy to boost tourism rather than struggle with the
developed countries to obtain fair prices for the primary
commodities and other manufactured goods.
The sudden rise in prices affects the local residents more than
the outsiders.
Land value at the tourist spot too expensive.
Pollution, over-crowding, congestion etc, can damage not only
the scenic beauty but also sometimes the old monuments.
The garbage l ike the empty cans, polythene bags etc, and left
over by the tourists leads to heavy pollution and garbage
problem.
There is a severe need for afforestat ion nowadays in the hil l
s tat ions of India as decline of forest has lead to many
problems l ike soil erosion, reduction in rainfal l , effect on wild
l ife etc.
Therefore in order to harmonize tourist development with
ecological and cultural condit ions certain techniques should
be followed.
Declaring certain areas completely to tourism.
Allowing l imited number of tourists at part icular t ime.
Developing better tourist facil i t ies
Creating specific tourism zone.
Types of tourism:-
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 ult imate
tourist spot .
The reason why India has been doing well in al l types of tourism in
India is that India has always been known for i ts hospital i ty,
uniqueness, and charm – at tr ibutes that have been at tracting 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
bil l ion during their t r ips to India. Being a country with tremendous
diversi ty, India has a lot to offer in terms of tourism and related
activi t ies. The diversi ty that India is famous for ensures that there
is something to do for al l tourists in India, no matter what their
interests .
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 activi t ies. For adventure
tourism in India, tourists prefer to go for trekking to places l ike
Ladakh, Sikkim, and Himalaya. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu
and Kashmir are popular for the skiing facil i t ies they offer.
Whitewater raft ing is also catching on in India and tourists f lock
to places such as Uttaranchal , Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh for
this adrenalin-packed activi ty. For e.g. t rekking, mountain
cl imbing, raft ing, yachting, winter sports etc
Wildlife tourism:-
India has a r ich 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.
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.
Pilgrimage tourism:-
India is famous for i ts temples and that is the reason that among
the different kinds of tourism in India, pi lgrimage tourism is
increasing most rapidly. The various places for tourists to visi t
in India for pi lgrimage are Vaishno Devi, Golden temple, Char
Dham, and Mathura Vrindavan.
Eco tourism:-
Among the types of tourism in India, ecotourism have grown
recently. Ecotourism entai ls the sustainable preservation of a
naturally endowed area or region. This is becoming more and
more significant for the ecological development of al l 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 i ts r ich cultural heri tage and an element of
mysticism, which is why tourists come to India to experience i t
for themselves. The various fairs and fest ivals that tourists can
visi t 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 i t continues to grow efforts must be
taken by the Indian government, so that the tourism sector can
contribute more substantial ly to the nation’s GDP.
Holiday tourism : -
In the recreation tourism, the tourist spend their leisure hour at
the hil l s tat ion, sea beaches, etc. such type of tourism provides
an opportunity to tourists to get away from to day to day routine
and refresh their mind and energy to deliver the goods.
For e.g. wild l ife sanctuary, national park, hi l l s tat ion etc .
Convention tourism :-
Convention tourism is meant for organizing conventions and
conferences relat ing to poli t ical , cultural , academic and
professional activi t ies.
Ethics/personal tourism-
Ethics/personal tourism indicates that the person l ikes to visi t
their own roots or visi t ing friends or relat ives.
Business tourism:-
In this type of tourism, people come together only for some
business tours. This tour includes trade fairs , conferences,
meetings, etc,
Classification Of tourism
ON THE BASIS OF THE END USER
The end user for Tourism Services is always the CONSUMER , and
therefore on the basis of the end user, Tourism Services fal l under
the category of ‘Consumers ’ . However these consumers may vary,
which is why Tourism Services also differ .
SERVICE PRODUCT CONTINUUM
As per the Product-Service Continuum, Tourism Services fal l under
the category of “Goods + Services ”. The core product is the
destination, which is purely intangible. However, tourism is l inked
to a number of tangible goods such as souvenirs, cuisine, etc which
consti tute an important part of any vacation or holiday any
consumer might take. Therefore i t cannot be classif ied as only
services, and fal ls under the category of “Goods + Services”.
PEOPLE BASED SERVICES
Tourism Services are high contact services, as people interact with
people at vir tually EVERY stage of the way. Tourism services are
very people-oriented services, and the service people are plenty and
have high contact with the consumers. The consumer interacts with
a myriad of service people start ing from when he books his t icket
and throughout the course of his holiday.
EXPERTISE
Tourism Services are mostly professional services. The service
people include travel agents, tour operators, hotel iers, caterers,
tour guides, etc. Almost al l of these people are trained and are
professionals. They might be trained by professional inst i tutes
(IATA, IITM, etc.) or by the agency/company they are working for
(SOTC).
ORIENTATION TOWARDS PROFITS
All Tourism Services are commercial , and are undertaken with a
view to earn profi ts .
DOMESTIC OR FORIEGN TOURISM
As per 1998 figures, Domestic tourists traveling through the
country were 167 mill ion approximately. Tourist arrivals in India
for the year as on March 2002 were 23, 70,784 (Inbound Tourism).
The number of Indian ci t izens traveling abroad was 38, 10,908
(Outbound Tourism )
S.L.E.P.T. Analysis Of The Tourism In India:
Social:
Tourism was always looked upon as something that led to
the destruction of the social fabric of a place. The more the amount
of outside people coming into a place, the more the perceived risk
of that place losing i ts identi ty. A good example is Goa. From the
late 60's to the early 80's when the Hippy culture was at i ts height ,
Goa was a haven for such hippies. Here they came in thousands and
changed the whole culture of the state. This had a r ipple effect on
the country. People became cautious, especial ly of the international
tourists . Whenever a certain place became famous, the example of
Goa was ci ted to discourage the inflow of international tourists .
However some places such as Kerala and Rajasthan have been able
to str ike a balance between their own culture and the demands of
the international tourists and have profi ted handsomely in the
bargain. People are now adopting themselves to the fact that
tourism pays and i t can be a major source of income for them.
In addit ion, tourism as a form of recreation has really caught on.
People themselves have started traveling and are wil l ing to travel to
a place that is out of the way and exotic. While tradit ionally
traveling on a holiday meant going to a hil l s tat ion or a beach, now
people are wil l ing to go in for adventure tourism and also visi t
places that might be exotic and cannot really be called hospitable.
For example, now places l ike Leh and Lakshadweep are mentioned
in the same breath as Goa or Kashmir.
Legal:
The laws that govern are not the same in al l the parts of the
country. Many of the laws that are in effect are old and archaic, and
not geared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
With respect to taxation , the World Travel and Tourism Council has
observed that
“Tax paid by tourists in India is the highest in the world.
Indian hotels charge about 40% taxes compared to other Asian
countries where i t varies between 3% and 6%" .
Such high taxation renders the tourism sector as a whole
uncompeti t ive. Further, there is considerable dispari ty between
state level taxes, especial ly on food and beverages. In fact , the
sales tax on imported beverages varies widely, e .g. 63% in
Karnataka to 28.75% in West Bengal.
With respect to Foreign Investment in any tourism related venture,
clearance must be obtained from the Central government (RBI or
Foreign Investment Promotion Board). 51% foreign equity is
automatically approved subject to meeting certain prescribed
cri teria, including having a capital base proposal below US $143
mill ion (Rs. 6 bil l ion). In the case of NRIs, 100% foreign equity is
automatically approved. Foreign equity holding above 51 percent
are possible, but are subject to FIPB approval . I t is to be noted that
the Ministry of Industry provides f inal clearance of FIPB
approvals.
Dividends on such investments are reparable.
The National Policy on Tourism lays emphasis on sustainable
development of tourism . In accordance, the Government has
brought out a comprehensive Eco Tourism Policy and Guidelines .
There are several Acts and laws, which ensure sustainable tourism.
These are the Wild Life Protection Act 1972, the Environment
(Protection) Act 1986 , and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
1986 . These do not set aside any specific area for tourism, but such
areas have to be identif ied by the State Governments and obtain the
required approvals/relaxations.
Eco-tourism policies and Guidelines have been formulated by the
Government in consultat ion with the industry and are being
implemented on a voluntary basis.
Economic:
The tourism industry not unlike the other industries grows
with the increase in the spending of the people. The more the
people spend the more the industry grows. The spending power of
the people has been increasing in the country and al l over the
world. Since we are concentrat ing on the international tourists , the
large increase in the spending power in most developed countries
has left a large amount of idle cash in their hands. This has led to a
tourism boom the world over and India has been no exception.
There have been more people coming into the country with more
cash than ever before. This has lead to an increase in the demand
for better hotels. People who previously used to come to the
country on a shoestring budget and hunt around for the cheapest
accommodation can now afford to go in for luxury hotels. This has
led to an increase in the number of hotels in the country. However,
an increase in spending does not only l imit i tself to
accommodation. The increase in the spending is also evident in the
increase in the number of people traveling by air . Even the number
domestic tourists traveling by air has dramatically gone up.
Political:
The poli t ical factors are the main driving force of the
industry. The Indian tourism is buil t on the backbone of
Government support and cannot sustain i tself without i t . The
various archaeological si tes and the places of historical importance,
the roads and the rai lways are al l in the hands of the Government.
All the support services l ike the hotel industry, the air l ines industry
and the tourist operators to name some are heavily dependent on the
support and the cooperation of the Government.
The major reason as to why tourists visi t India is for the vast and
rich heri tage that our country has. That is under the control of the
Government, through the Archaeological Survey of India . Any
policy change that comes into force can have dramatic effect on the
way the industry players perform. For example, the Government
charges high rates of taxes on the luxury and the star category
hotels and this has always been a cause of disagreement between
the hotel associat ions and the Government. There are many areas
where the growth of tourism has not been rapid or has seen
dramatic fal l because the poli t ical environment has not been
conducive. Examples are the North East for the former and Kashmir
for the lat ter . The neglect of the Government in developing the
North-East has led to a si tuation where there is practically no
tourism in the seven states.
Similarly, the poli t ical turmoil in the state of Kashmir and now in
Gujarat has caused a virtual decimation of the f lourishing tourism
industry. However, there has been a change in many of the policies
of the Government with regard to the tourism industry. The hotel
industry has been gett ing many incentives and many State
Governments are encouraging the growth of major hotels in their
states. After years of t ight control over airport infrastructure,
Government has f inally taken the decision to privatize the airports .
Technological:
Although technology does not seem to be a major influence
at f irst glance, i t plays a major part in the promotion of a place.
Better communication facil i t ies are one of the f irst prerequisi tes for
growth in the inflow of tourists . This has been made possible with
technology. Improved technology in the f ield of communication at
cheaper costs has resulted in many remote and inaccessible areas of
the country gett ing connected to the rest of the world. This
connectivity has made these places visible to the world. Better
communication means access to media. And that is very important
if any place wants to be on the world tourist map.
Similarly better transportat ion facil i t ies have lead to a
dramatic increase in the number of tourists visi t ing any part icular
place. The presence of an airport and the availabil i ty of frequent
f l ights are a great convenience to any traveler.
SWOT Analysis :
STRENGTHS:-
a. India 's geographical location, a culmination of deserts , forests ,
mountains, and beaches.
b. Diversi ty of culture i .e . a blend of various civil izat ions and their
t radit ions.
c. A wealth of archeological si tes and historical monuments.
d. Manpower costs in the Indian hotel industry are one of the
lowest in the world. This provides better margins for the industry.
e . A very wide variety of hotels is present in the country that can
fulfi l l the demand of the tourists . There are international players in
the market such as Taj and Oberoi . Thus, the needs of the
international tourists and travelers are seen to while they are on a
visi t to India.
WEAKNESSES:-
a. Lack of adequate infrastructure. The air l ines in India, for
example, are inefficient and do not provide basic facil i t ies at
airports . The road condit ion in India is very bad.
b. A xenophobic at t i tude among certain sections of people.
c . No proper marketing of India 's tourism abroad. Foreigners st i l l
think of India as a land of snake charmers. There are many places
where the image of India is one of poverty, superst i t ion, and
diseases. The case of Plague in Surat in 1994 led to a decrease of
36% in arrival of foreign tourists in India.
OPPORTUNITIES:-
a. More proactive role from the government of India in terms of
framing policies.
b. Allowing entry of more mult inational companies into the country
giving us a global perspective.
c . Growth of domestic tourism. The advantage here is that domestic
tourism and international tourism can be segregated easi ly owing to
the difference in the period of holidays.
THREATS:-
a. Economic condit ions and poli t ical turmoil in other countries
affects tourism.
b. Poli t ical turbulence within India in Kashmir and Gujarat has also
reduced tourist t raffic.
c . Aggressive strategies adopted by other countries l ike Austral ia,
Singapore in promoting tourism.
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