DEFINATION OF TOURISM

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), tourism entails the
movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or
business/professional purposes. These people are called visitors. Generally speaking, a visitor is
classified as a (same-)day visitor if their trip does not include an overnight stay and a tourist if it
does include an overnight stay. The purpose of their trip can be for business, leisure or personal
reasons, other than to be employed by a resident entity in the country or place visited.
If a trip’s main purpose is business/professional, it is often subdivided into two further categories
- 'attending meetings, conferences or congresses, trade fairs and exhibitions' and 'other business
and professional purposes'.

THE ORIGINS OF TOURISM

By the early 21st century, international tourism had become one of the world’s most important
economic activities, and its impact was becoming increasingly apparent from
the Arctic to Antarctica. The history of tourism is therefore of great interest and importance. That
history begins long before the coinage of the word tourist at the end of the 18th century. In the
Western tradition, organized travel with supporting infrastructure, sightseeing, and an emphasis
on essential destinations and experiences can be found in ancient Greece and Rome, which can
lay claim to the origins of both “heritage tourism” (aimed at the celebration and appreciation of
historic sites of recognized cultural importance) and beach resorts. The Seven Wonders of the
World became tourist sites for Greeks and Romans.
Pilgrimage offers similar antecedents, bringing Eastern civilizations into play. Its religious goals
coexist with defined routes, commercial hospitality, and an admixture of curiosity, adventure,
and enjoyment among the motives of the participants. Pilgrimage to the earliest Buddhist sites
began more than 2,000 years ago, although it is hard to define a transition from the makeshift
privations of small groups of monks to recognizably tourist practices. Pilgrimage to Mecca is of
similar antiquity. The tourist status of the hajj is problematic given the number of casualties that
—even in the 21st century—continued to be suffered on the journey through the desert. The
thermal spa as a tourist destination—regardless of the pilgrimage associations with the site as a
holy well or sacred spring—is not necessarily a European invention, despite deriving its English-
language label from Spa, an early resort in what is now Belgium. The oldest Japanese onsen (hot
springs) were catering to bathers from at least the 6th century. Tourism has been a global
phenomenon from its origins.

TYPES OF TOURISM

Leisure Tourism
Tourists may travel to experience a change in climate and place and learn something new, enjoy
pleasant scenery, or to know more about the culture of a destination. Tourists, who seek break
from the stress of day to day life, devote their holiday to rest and relaxation, refresh themselves.
These tourists prefer to stay in some quiet and relaxed destination preferably at a hill resort,
beach resort or island resort. Nowadays tourists undertake various adventure sports activities for
leisure and to refresh themselves after working hard. This tourism includes following forms
based on the activities undertaken:

Cultural tourism
It is also called as heritage tourism. People are curious to know about foreign lands and their
cultures. Culture is most important factors which attracts tourists to a destination.
Cultural tourism gives insight to
 Way of life of the people of distant land
 Dress, jewellery, dance, music, architecture
 Customs and traditions
 Fairs and festivals
 Religions
 Culinary delights
Religious tourism
It is also called as Pilgrimage tourism / Spiritual tourism. It is a form of tourism, where people
travel individually or in groups for pilgrimage. The world's largest form of mass religious
tourism takes place at the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Modern religious
tourists are more able to visit holy cities and holy sites around the world. The most famous holy
cities are Jerusalem, Mecca and Varanasi.
Family Tourism
Family tourism involves the family unit and their participation in diverse forms of tourism
activity. This includes visiting one’s relatives and friends for interpersonal reasons. Many people
in India travel for visiting their friends and relatives. While visiting friends or relatives, people
also visit tourists’ attractions in and around the city.
Health Tourism
Health tourism is also called as Medical tourism. People have been travelling for centuries to
improve and rebuild their health and stamina. Today, many people travel great distances to
exotic locations or health care facilities in faraway countries, in search of medical treatment and
care. Medical tourism is an age-old concept that has gained popularity in the recent times. Many
developing countries are emerging as hot medical tourism destinations capitalizing on low cost
advantages. Many hospitals have specially designed packages including resorts facilities. Thus
health tourism covers one or more of the following aspects-
 Change of climate
 Alternative therapy- Ayruvedic treatment, hot Sulphur springs, Naturopathy and art of
living
 Medical treatment
Sports Tourism
Sports Tourism refers to travel which involves either viewing or participating in a sporting event
staying apart from their usual environment. Sport tourism is a fast growing sector of the global
travel industry. Sports tourism refers to people travelling to participate in a competitive sport
event. Normally these kinds of events are the motivators that attract visitors to visit the events
like Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup. Sports tourism can be adventurous also. Adventure sport
tourism is also called as Adventure tourism. Adventure sport tourism is more challenging
because it takes the tourists into regions which are less frequently visited and may not have easy
access. According to the National Tour Association, adventure tourism is a "tour designed
around an adventurous activity such as rafting, hiking, or mountain climbing."
Adventure sports tourism is a package of
 Recreation
 Enjoyment
 Education
 Thrills of participating in an adventure
Adventure tourism has various forms, which can be broadly categorized as follows:

Educational Tourism
Educational tourism developed, because of the growing popularity of teaching and learning of
knowledge and the enhancing of technical competency outside of the classroom environment. In
educational tourism, the main focus of the tour visiting another country to learn about the
culture, such as in Student Exchange Programs and Study Tours, organizing specialized lectures
of the eminent personalities and for research. image:Research.png|100px image:Learning.png|
100px image:Teaching.png|100px
Business Tourism
The business traveler’s main motive for travel is work. Tourists visit a particular destination for
various reasons pertaining to his /her work such as attending a business meeting, conferences,
conventions selling products, meeting clients. Business tourism is popularly called as MICE
(Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions)
Alternative forms of Tourism
Alternative tourism aims at seeking a change from impersonal, traditional tourism to establishing
cardinal rapport between visitors and the local community. Instead of using touristic
commodities these tourists prefer to use or share the services of local people. The focus in these
travels is the preserved natural environment, authentic atmosphere and cuisine, and local
traditions. Alternative tourism is nowadays regarded as a key to sustainable development. It is
also known as special interest tourism. It is of various types
 Ecotourism
 Food tourism
 Agro-rural tourism

CLASSIFICATION OF TOURISM ACCOMMODATION:

Accommodation is one of the basic needs for any tourism activity. Travelers and tourists need
lodging for rest, while they are on a tour. Accommodation in the form of low budget
lodges/hotels to world class luxury hotels is available at all the major tourist destinations to
provide the tourist a home away from home. These are establishments that provide a place for
the tourist to stay i.e. lodging facilities which are paid for the duration of the stay by the tourist.
There are various types of accommodation which are being used by tourists regularly. Travel
agents and tour operators generally include one of the following types of accommodation in the
itinerary.
Hotel:
Hotels are a vital and essential part of the tourism industry. Today, hotels not only provide
accommodation and meals but also offer a variety of other services as per the needs of the
tourist/guest. For example, many hotels offer a health club, crèche, etc. as per the changing needs
of the customer.
International or Star Category Hotel:
They are the modern western style hotels, found mostly in metro cities and at major tourist
destinations and that are located at prime locations in the city. These hotels are classified on the
internationally accepted star grading which ranges from five stars to one star. The grading is
given to the hotel depending on the facilities and services which the hotel provides. The facilities
which are provided by the five star are an information desk, conference centre, travel desk, multi
cuisine restaurants, banquet halls, room service, swimming pool, gymnasium, health clubs,
shopping arcades, beauty parlours, entertainment or cultural programmes, etc.
Motels
They are located on highways and expressways. The tourists who are on transient mode and cost
conscious prefer to stay in these kinds of accommodation. These motels not only provide parking
space but also certain amenities such as television, restaurants swimming pool, etc
Non Star or commercial Hotels
These hotels are located mostly near the business or commercial centres and mainly serve the
business tourists, middle income tourists and their repeat customers. Most of these hotels are
equipped with parking space, restaurants, and facilities for their business clients/guests such as
convention centers and meeting rooms
Floating Hotels:
These types of hotels are located on the surface of the water which may be the sea, river, or lake
water. These hotels have facilities which are similar to a regular hotel. Examples: House boats of
Kashmir and Kerala or old cruise liners which have been converted into a hotel. Picture:
Houseboats of Kashmir, A houseboat on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington, USA ,Houseboat in
Alleppey, Kerala located on the backwaters.
Capsule Hotels
These were first opened in Osaka, Japan in 1979. These hotels serve mostly the business tourists.
The rooms in the capsule are lined similar to that of a ‘double-decker’, or sleeping compartment
of a AC 2 tier train. Common washrooms, vending machines, and a lounge area are located on
each floor. Facilities such as a bed, a television, flexible lighting, a box for valuables, etc. are
provided in each capsule rooms.
Heritage Hotels
These are the old properties like castles, forts, palaces, and havelis belonging to royalty which
have been renovated and converted into hotels. Here, tourists enjoy the majestic grandeur and
splendor of the olden days. Some examples of heritage hotels are Umaid Bhavan Palace at
Jodhpur and Shalini Palace at Kolhapur.
Resorts
These cater to the tourists who look for rest, relaxation and recreation. They are located mostly at
the sea side, hill stations, wild life sanctuaries, etc. Apart from facilities provided by hotels,
resorts provide additional facilities to guest for recreation and relaxation which includes indoor
and out door games, gambling, spa, etc.

GEOGRAPHICAL COMPONENTS OF TOURISM

Geographical components of tourism includes following elements.
1. Accessibility and location
2. Space
3. Scenery
a) Landforms, e.g. mountains, hills, canyons, cliffs, volcanic features, coral reefs, etc.
b) Water, e.g. rivers, lakes, waterfalls, geysers, glaciers, the sea, etc.
c) Vegetation, e.g. forests, grasslands, health, deserts, etc.
Climate: Sunshine and cloud, temperature conditions, rain and snow.Animal life.
d) Wild life, e.g. birds, game reservations, zoos.
e) Hunting and fishing.
Settlement features:
a) Town, Cities, villages.
b) Historical remains and monuments.
c) Archaeological remains.
Culture: Ways of life, traditions, folklore, arts and crafts etc.
THE ELEMENTS OF TOURISM
Besides the three major components of tourism, there are six elements of tourism for the
fundamental attraction of tourism. These are:
 Pleasing weather
 Scenic beauties
 Historical and Cultural factors
 Accessibility
 Amenities,
 Accommodation

POTENTIALS OF TOURISM IN INDIA
India has an ancient tradition of travel. Large number of people was implied to undertake
journey through the length and breadth of the country in olden days. The motivation of these
were mainly religious, quest for knowledge and desire to foster trade and commerce. The travel
for religious purpose is known as pilgrimages or Tirath. The tradition of travel among the people
has continued since then. There are references of pleasure travel as well which was undertaken
particularly in Middle Ages. Bit the tourism in its modern sense commenced only in the middle
of twentieth century. India being a big country has everything to offer to everybody. Visiting
India is an enthralling and memorable experience to one and all. The beautiful ancient
monuments are fascinating and will be a tourist delight. India is a country where past and present
blend in a systematic manner for an exciting future and emerging an International market. India
is a tourist paradise and has unique features of modernity and traditional hospitality. Each state
has its own cultural glory and historical monuments to visit. Tourism is the world’s largest and
fastest growing industry. It is an invisible export, which earns valuable foreign exchange without
any significant or tangible loss of internal resources. It is a source of revenue and employment.
There are countries in the world whose main source of revenue is tourism. India is a country with
a great potential for tourism. In addition to her places of ancient historical and archaeological
interests, her varied wild life sanctuaries, beach resorts and winter sports attract tourists from all
over the world. Indian Tourism Development Corporation is a public sector undertaking, whose
main task is development of a sound foundation of tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1966, the
Corporation has made phenomenal progress during the last 12 years. It provides a unique range
of tourist services. The term tourism dates from the early years of the nineteenth century, but this
should not obscure the fact that what we would today describe as tourism was taking place much
earlier in history. In early days Tourism had two forms one for the business and religious travel.
Merchants use to travel in order to trade with other countries.

VARIOUS TOURISTS ATTRACTION OF INDIA:

 Taj Mahal, Agra. ...
 Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra - The World Heritage Caves. ...
 Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - The Spiritual Capital of India. ...
 Jaisalmer, Rajasthan - The Golden City. ...
 Golden Temple, Amritsar. ...
 Red Fort, Delhi. ...
 Gateway of India, Mumbai.