INDIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY 

 Brief Introduction 

India in recent years has gained good exponential growth in the Tourism Industry. Today India is the preferred destination for both overseas and domestic travelers. India provides the facility to Tourists of international origin to understand and experience cultural diversity of the country. According to Indian official estimates the tourism in India has out performed the global tourism industry in accordance with the growth, volume of foreign tourists & even the revenue.

Tremendous growth in the Indian economy is the main reason for the growth in tourism in India. Though the infrastructure is still a constraint it sustains the current growth and that the government should invest in infrastructure like transport, accommodation, better roads, health and hygiene, etc. for the growth of the industry has invested in new technology like CRM tools and state of the art security systems.

India’s tourism industry is experienced a strong period of growth which is drived by the burgeoning Indian middle class and high spending foreign tourists with coordinated government campaigns to promote ‘Incredible India’.

This particular industry in India is substantial and vibrant, is at verge of becoming a major global destination. Travel and tourism industry in India is one of them most profitable industries in the country and credited with contributing a substantial amount of foreign exchange. As during 2006, four million tourists visited India and have spent US $8.9 billion. In India the disposable income has gone up by 10.11% annually from 2001-2006, where much of that is being spent on travel. Indian tourism Industry has also helped the growth in other sectors like horticulture, handicrafts, agriculture, construction and even poultry.

Indian Tourism Industry is ranked 11th in the Asia Pacific region and 62nd overall, moving up three places on the list of the world’s attractive destinations. As per the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009 by the World Economic Forum, it had been ranked the 14th for best tourist destination & for its natural resources, 24th for its cultural resources, as it has most of the World Heritage sites, both natural and cultural, rich fauna and flora & strong creative industries in the country.

In air transport network India has bagged 37th rank for itself. Indian tourism industry is ranked 5th in the long-term (10-year) growth and is expected to be the second largest employer in the world by 2019.

Since 1990 the Indian tourism industry has not been good. Though the India economy had slowed, it was still growing faster than the rest of the world. During 2009, the country has seen a seen rise of 6.5%, compared to the world output, which is seen falling 0.4%. With Indian economy growing at around 7% per annum and rise in disposable incomes of Indians, an increasing number of people are going on holiday trips within the country and abroad resulting in the tourism industry growing wings.

 Size of the industry 

In India Tourism is the largest service industry with a contribution of 6.23% to the country’s GDP and 8.78% of the total employment of the nation. India witnesses about more than 5 million annual foreign tourist arrivals and 562 million domestic tourism visits. Indian Tourism Industry generated about US$100 billion in 2008 which is expected to increase to US$275.5 billion by 2018 at a 9.4% annual growth rate. The Campaign of “Incredible India” is developed by the Ministry of Tourism as nodal agency for the promotion of tourism in India.

The Ministry of Tourism plays a crucial role in formulating national policies and programmes as well as coordinating and supplementing the efforts of the State/Union Territory Governments and private sector in improving the quality of tourism Industry. As regards the domestic market, the Ministry aims to popularize the culture and natural beauty of different regions, pilgrim sites and various new tourism products. The Ministry has a public sector undertaking, namely the ‘India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC)’ for carrying out its various functions, along with the following autonomous institutions:-

• Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM)
• National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) has merged with IITTM
• National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT)
• Institutes of Hotel Management (IHM)

The foreign direct investments (FDI) of Indian hotel and tourism industry which contributes to the Indian economy inflows are US$ 2.1 billion from April 2000 to March 2010, according to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

Indian Export earnings from international visitors and tourism goods are expected to generate US$ 51.4 billion (nominal terms) by 2019. Furthermore, the sector which accounted for 6.4% of total employment in 2009 is estimated to rise to 7.2% of total employment by 2019.

 Top leading Companies 

Thomas Cook, Cox and Kings, SOTC, RCI, Emirates, Indian Airlines, British Airways, etc.

 Employment opportunities 

Today increased tourism in India has created jobs in many sectors. The numbers say the story: that almost 20 million people are now working in the India’s tourism industry. Government of India has also made a significant impact in tourism by requiring each state one administration should be related to tourism. A new wave in this sector is medical tourism which is currently growing at around 30% per annum & expected to reach one million soon.

The Indian Tourism Industry is based on certain core nationalistic ideals and standards which are: Swaagat or welcome, Sahyog or cooperation, Soochanaa or information, Sanrachanaa or infrastructure, Suvidha or facilitation, Safaai or cleanliness and Surakshaa or security.

Courses for Tourism

Courses in travel and tourism are helpful, but not mandatory, in getting employment in this particular Industry. The top agencies throughout the country – Mercury Travels, SITA, etc. – usually take in college graduates as junior staff. But according to a career prospectus, it is advisable to have a diploma either in Public Relations or Advertising. Post graduate course in Travel Management can be pursued by graduates who may prove to be advantageous in providing managerial and administrative options in the industry.

1. After Class XII (any subject) graduation in travel and tourism
2. After Class XII (any subject) graduation in any subject (Public Relations/ Advertising) courses is relevant .This can be followed by masters in travel management.
3. After Class XII (any subject) on the job training with a travel agency and certification course for IATTA / UFTAA / FIATTA

 Institutes 

• IATA/UFTAA 4-level career development programme. For details and list of training centres, refer to the website: www.iata.org/atdi/travel_tourism
• University of Delhi, New Delhi.
• Kurukshetra University, Haryana.
• Agra University – Agra.
• Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
• Bangalore University, Bangalore.
• University of Madras, Chennai.
• University of Calcutta, West Bengal.
• Goa University, Goa.
• University of Mumbai.
• University of Poona, Nasik.
• IITTM, New Delhi 110 021.
• Himachal University, Shimla 171005. Skyline Business School, Laxman Public School Campus, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016.
• Sita Academy M-135, Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110 001. (Travel & Tourism Management 1 year course)
• Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati 517502 Chitoor (AP), (Tourism and International Ticketing).
• Chennai University, Chennai 600005 .

 Expectations 

By 2020, Indian Tourism Industry is expected to contribute Rs 8, 50,000 crores to the GDP according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Which means that every man, woman and child could become richer by Rs 7,000. Yet India is to realise its full potential from tourism. Tourism industry in India holds tremendous potential for India’s economy which eventually provide impetus to other industries, create millions of new jobs and generate enough wealth to help pay off the international debt. This is the main reason that today it is included that Tourism is amongst the Core Sectors of the Indian Economy.

 Latest developments 

Indian Tourism Industry has got a major boost because of the booming IT and outsourcing industry with increased number of business trips made by foreigners to India, who will often add a weekend break or longer holiday to their trip. They spend more time here in India than almost any other country worldwide. Tourist arrivals are projected to increase by over 22% per year by 2010, with a 33% increase in foreign exchange earnings recorded in 2004.