Development of Tourism in India-English Essay, Paragraph, Speech for Class 9, 10, 11 and 12 Students.
Development of Tourism in India
Tourism is expanding the fastest and is the most rewarding industry of the modern world. International tourism constitutes the invisible export trade. No wonder, then, that some more enterprising countries have turned this flourishing industry into a means of spinning money. In recent years, India too has woken up to this great reality and concerted efforts are now being made to develop and promote this foreign-exchange-earning industry in a big way. India, with her rich cultural heritage, ancient monuments, world-famous temples, architectural masterpieces, wild-life sanctuaries and scenic spots, holds a great attraction for the tourist on the move.
In the past, for many decades tourist traffic in India was confined to the northern region. Taj Mahal at Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Varanasi, Bodh Gaya, Jaipur and Khajuraho were the main tourist attractions. But tourism was seldom treated as an industry and in respect of stay, food and sightseeing, the tourists were treated just like pilgrims. With a view to exploit this untapped source of revenue and foreign exchange and to develop the tourist industry on modern commercial lines, the Government of India set up the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in 1966. The Corporation is a public sector undertaking and it has made phenomenal progress during these years. It provides a unique range of tourist services. Nowadays millions of tourists cross international borders every year, and India is now getting a sizable share out of this traffic. The ITDC controls a large number of Hotels, Beach Resorts, Motels, Travel Lodges, Restaurants, transport units, duty-free shops and a fleet of tourist cars and coaches. It has also opened a new range of destinations in the South. The establishment of Hotel Ashoka in Bangalore has brought that city on the international tourist map. Kovalam Beach, India’s first beach resort, was followed up by a second beach complex at Temple Bay, Mamallapuram. New hotels and restaurants have been built on the vital circuit link in Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho and Varanasi. Laxmi Villas Palace in Udaipur has been converted into a hotel. Aurangabad in Maharashtra has been developed for the benefit of tourists visiting Ajanta and Ellora. Gulmarg in Kashmir has been established as a centre for winter sports. New wild life sanctuaries and national parks are being developed for tiger, lions, rhinoceros, elephants and migratory birds. Safari Parks have been opened in Hyderabad and Boriville.
The facilities available for the tourists have also undergone a remarkable improvement. Forest lodges and safari parks have been developed in the wildlife sanctuaries, and caged mini crashes have been arranged to enable the tourists to observe wildlife from safety. Over the years, India has won an unenviable reputation in the world for the excellence of its tourist industry. ITDC’s film Destination India was a great success and it won the national award.
Tourism is a window to our life and culture. ITDC has been doing commendable work to promote tourism by setting new trends in hotel services, entertainment and decor to give the foreign tourist a genuine experience. No wonder, therefore, that tourism industry is experiencing a boom in this country.
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