Introduction

Travel and Tourism comprises activities of people travelling to and staying in places outside
their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and social,
recreational, and knowledge seeking purposes. The tourism industry is primarily service and
people oriented; it is made up of businesses and organisations belonging to various other
industries and sectors. It is an interplay among these businesses and organisations/persons which
offer “travel experience” to tourists. The tourism industry comprises hospitality (related to
accommodation and dining), travel (transportation services through different modes), and various
other businesses which offer services and products to tourists. Tourism in India offers one of the
most diverse products globally. India with its vast and beautiful coastline, vivid forests,
undisturbed idyllic islands, rich historical and cultural heritage, diversity in flora and fauna,
ancient medicine is fast emerging as an attractive tourist destination for foreign tourists. The
country fascinates all categories of travelers from budget and luxury travelers of all sorts of
nationalities. Tourism in India has registered significant growth over the years. This has been led
by growth in both leisure and business tourism in the country. Rising incomes, increasing
affordability, growing aspirations, increasing globalization, and a growing airline industry along
with improvement in travel-related infrastructure have supported industry growth. Tourism holds
immense potential for the Indian economy.

Contribution in generating foreign exchange

The share of the Indian travel and tourism industry globally is very less. However the
Travel and tourism industry holds immense potential. In fact, India has been ranked among the
leaders by the WTTC for long-term (10-year) growth prospects. Further, a globally renowned
travel magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, ranked India among the top 10 tourist destinations of the
world. India is probably the only country that offers various categories of tourism with its
geographical diversity and rich cultural heritage.

In India, a break-up of the contributors of the Tourism sector indicates that Personal travel and
tourism is the most significant contributor, accounting for 55% of the total industry, while
business travel forms only 9%. Capital investment is also significant with a share of 24%. Hotels,
air transport, surface transport, basic infrastructure, and facilitation systems environment are
some of the contributing sectors.

Tourism, especially international tourism in India is affected by seasonality and is, therefore,
prone to the problem of excess demand or supply. Hence, the strategy to overcome this aspect of
'seasonality' of Indian Tourism is to promote India as 365 days destination. Tourism is an
important sector of Indian economy and contributes substantially in the country's foreign
exchange earnings. Foreign Exchange earnings (FEE) from tourism, in Rupee terms, during
2011, were Rs. 77591 Crore, with a growth of 19.6 %, as compared to the FEE of Rs.64889
Crore during 2010. Foreign Exchange Earnings, in terms of US Dollars from tourism, during
2011, were US$ 16.56 Billion ($16564 Million) with a growth of 16.7 %, as compared to US$
14.19 Billion ($14193 Million) during 2010.During the year 2011, the number of Foreign Tourist
Arrivals (FTAs) in India reached the highest ever level of 6.29 million, registering a growth of
8.9% over the FTAs of 5.78 million in 2010. The growth rate of 8.9% for the year 2011 for
tourist arrivals in India was more than double the growth of 4.4% in tourist arrivals worldwide.
The tourism sector in India, therefore, has fared quite well vis-à-vis the world. The Scheme of
'Visa-on-Arrival" (VoA) had been introduced for 5 countries w.e.f. January 2010. It was
extended for another 6 countries in January 2011. The outcome of this scheme has been
encouraging with 12,761 persons having availed of VoA facility in 2011. The Ministry of
Tourism in India is making efforts to extend the facility of VoA to nationals of more countries.
(7)
In 2011 Travel & Tourism directly supported 24,975,000 jobs (5.0% of total employment). This
is expected to rise by 3.0% in 2012. In 2011, the total contribution of Travel & Tourism to
employment, including jobs indirectly supported by the industry, was 7.8% of total employment
(39,352,000 jobs). This is expected to rise by 2.8% in 2012 to 40,450,500 jobs. Visitor exports
generated INR801.4bn (3.8% of total exports) in 2011. This is forecast to grow by 3.5% in 2012.
Travel & Tourism investment in 2011 was NR 1,253.9 billion n, or 5.1% of total investment. It
should rise by 12.3% in 2012, and rise by 7.5% pa over the next ten years to INR 2,903.9 bn in
2022 (4.4% of total).
Areas of improvement

1. Development of Tourism Infrastructure

Augmentation of quality tourism infrastructure is essential for development of tourism sector.

Infrastructure development holds the key to India's sustained growth in the tourism sector.
Therefore, efforts must be made efforts to develop quality tourism infrastructure at tourist
destinations and circuits. Major Circuits/ Destinations which have the potential to attract a large
number of visitors must be extensively developed and managed. Tourism Parks located in areas
of Tourist interest must be preserved and maintained. Infrastructure for clusters of villages in
rural areas having unique craft, handloom (textiles) ethnic art form, handiwork, handicraft for
development as Tourism Products .

2. Seamless Travel and problem-free stay for Tourists

1. Extension of Visa-on-Arrival Scheme facilities

One of the most important issues connected with foreign tourism growth relates to visa. As
proposed by Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to grant 'Long Term
Tourist Visas' of five (05) years duration, with multiple entry facilities carrying a stipulation of
90 days of each visit, on a pilot basis to the nationals of the following 18 selected countries:-(1) )
Argentina (2) Belgium (3) Brazil (4) Chile (5) ) Finland (6) France (7) Germany (8) Iceland (9)
Japan (10) Luxembourg (11) Mexico (12) Netherlands (13) New Zealand (14) Norway (15)
South Korea (16) Spain (17) Switzerland (18) Vietnam. However, extending this scheme to
accommodate other countries would enhance the popularity of tourism in India leading to greater
foreign tourist influx thus ultimately augmenting the foreign exchange generated.

2. Tourist Police and Security

Safety and the security of the tourists is a worldwide concern. Any adverse perception about
safety and security of the tourists has serious implications for tourist arrivals to the country and
its tourist destinations. The Central and State Governments must focus on providing a distinct
Tourist Police at prominent tourist spots with the lone task of protecting and facilitating tourist
so that their stay is enjoyable and comfortable. For the safety and security of tourists, very few
State Governments have taken initiatives to deploy ex-servicemen as Tourist Security personnel,
or have separate earmarked Tourist Police. In order to achieve uniform development of tourism
across the country, it is extremely crucial to provide policing facilities for tourists at all tourist
destinations.
3. Hygiene and Sanitation
Infrastructure, arrangements and facilities for proper hygiene and sanitation at important tourist
destinations should be developed. Additionally, hygiene and cleanliness should be given a high
priority and personnel must be appointed to supervise the same. Cleanliness drives must be
conducted at tourist destinations and incentives or benefits should be provided all the
organisations and individuals involved in this important initiative. Priority should be given for
sanctioning assistance for setting up of way-side amenities and arrangements et al.

. Identifying new tourism products is a dynamic process and hence, there must be a thrust and
initiative in identifying, diversifying, developing and promoting the nascent and upcoming niche
products of the tourism industry.

1. Rural Tourism
India is known as the land of villages and to that extent, rural Tourism would enable the
showcasing rural life, art, culture and heritage at rural locations and in villages, which have core
competence in art & craft, handloom, and textiles as also an asset base in the natural
environment. Rural Tourism would economically as well as socially enable interaction between
tourists and local population for a mutually enriching experience. Rural Tourism in India has the
ability to develop in a big way as it would highlight the essence and way of life of India for
visiting tourists.

1. Adventure Tourism
Adventure travel involves travel to remote, exotic areas. Adventure tourism is rapidly growing in
popularity as a tourist seeks different kinds of vacations. Any constructive activity which tests
the endurance of both a person and his equipment to its extreme limit is termed as Adventure.
Adventure sports such as Mountaineering, trekking, camping, hand gliding, paragliding, bungee
jumping and river rafting are at a very nascent stage in India. But India on account of its diverse
forest, vast rivers and dynamic topography could develop into a centre for adventure tourism
provided that adequate focus is given on its development.

2. Wellness Tourism
Wellness tourism is about travelling for the primary purpose of achieving, promoting or
maintaining maximum health and a sense of wellbeing. It is about being proactive in discovering
new ways to promote a healthier, less stressful lifestyle. It is about finding balance in one's life.
This form of Tourism holds immense potential for India considering, the Indian systems of
medicine that is Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga, Panchakarma, Rejuvenation Therapy, etc.
which are among the most ancient systems of medical treatment in the world. India can provide
Medical and Health care of international standard at comparatively low cost. Most of the new
hotels/resorts are coming up with Ayurveda Centres as an integral part. However, a greater thrust
in this direction must be given in order to develop this industry further.

3. Eco Tourism
India which accounts for nearly 1/6th of world's population has only around 2.2 percent of earth's
landmass. The growing tourist demand is already exerting pressure on our natural and other
resources. Considering the importance of developing tourism in ecologically sustainable manner,
stress must be laid on maintenance of environmental integrity. Ecotourism (also known as
ecological tourism) is responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that
strives to be low impact and (often) small scale. It purports to educate the traveler, provide funds
for ecological conservation, directly benefit the economic development and political
empowerment of local communities, and foster respect for different cultures and human rights.
However, greater awareness must be required in order to augment the popularity of this form of
tourism in order to fully develop it.

Conclusion
Tourism plays an important role in economic development and creation of jobs in India. The
Approach Paper of the 12th Five Year Plan prepared by the Planning Commission highlights the
need to adopt "pro-poor tourism" for increasing net benefits to the poor and ensuring that tourism
growth contributes to poverty reduction. Tourism plays a key role in socio-economic progress
through creation of jobs, enterprise, revenue earnings and infrastructure. It can provide impetus
to other industries through backward linkages and forward integrations thus contributing
significantly to the Gross Domestic Product as well as to the nation’s exchequer through
invaluable foreign currency it generates. Adverse Perception no if they feel safe they will come
again and recommend other to visit. Correct atmosphere and law and order situation should be
robust. The Planning Commission has identified tourism as the second largest sector in the
country in providing employment opportunities for low-skilled workers.

Bibliography