VOLUME - 5, ISSUE – 1, JAN TO JUNE, 2019 ISSN NO. : 2455-4642 (ONLINE)
IDEES –International Multidisciplinary Research Journal
(Peer Reviewed)
Research Paper
on
THE MOST FAVOURED COUNTRY FOR HOLIDAYS: TOURISM IN
INDIA
By
Dr. Heena Upadhyaya
Assistant Professor
Dept. Business Economics, Faculty of Commerce, The M S Univeristy of Baroda, Vadodara
Email: [email protected]
M- 7600099454
Abstract
Tourism can be defined as discovering explored or unexplored destinations. It comprises of
understanding a different lifestyle, relishing the mouth-watering dishes and rejuvenating
oneself. The tourism industry has considerable potential to contribute to the economy. The
Indian government has realized this and is therefore working towards achieving a target of
1% inbound tourist arrivals worldwide to India by 2020. The Government of India has started
infusing funds into the industry through various schemes and projects like the Swadesh
Darshan, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation (PRASAD) etc. With the rise
in stress and competitive lifestyle, people are ardently searching for alternatives to hit the
road and rejuvenate themselves. They mostly opt for religious places as they feel their they
will receive the peace and calmness they are looking for. There has therefore been a surge in
the religious tourism segment. Travelers are teaming up their religious and spiritual trips with
other adventurous activities and that has led to budding of new categories under the tourism
industry. The thirst for knowledge and learning about the diverse cultures and heritage too
drives people from other countries and within the country to explore different states and
union territories. There has been a 14% growth in the foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2017.
. Tourism in India has a strong relevance to economic development, cultural growth and
national integration. About 8.02=million foreign tourists arrived in India during 2015
recording a growth rate of 4.4%, compared to 7.68=million in 2014 with a growth rate of
10.2% over 2013.=Foreign exchange earnings from tourism has increasing almost 9 times
from 2,889 US $ million to 21,058 US $ million during 1997 to 2015. During the same time
period foreign exchange earnings from tourism has increased almost 13 times from 10,511
Rs Crores to 135,193 Rs Crores. During 2014, heights number of foreign tourist has visited
India from United State (1,118,983), Bangladesh (942,562) and United Kingdom (838,860).
In 2014, Tamilnadu (4,657,630), Maharastra (4,389,098) and Uttar Pradesh (2,909,735) were
the most popular states for foreign tourist in India. Tourism has significantly helped the
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