NATIONAL SEMINAR ON POTENTIAL AND PROSPECT

OF TOURISM INDUSTRY IN INDIA WITH SPECIAL

REFERENCE TO STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH (16TH
& 17TH SEPTEMBER 2016)
Tourism sector in India Potential contributor in economic growth
ASHWANI KUMAR
S/O SH. JAGTAMBA PRASHAD SHARMA, RAM CHOWK, GHUGGAR,
TEH & P.O-PALAMPUR,DISTT-KANGRA (H.P) 176061
CONTACT NO:9817185287
EMAIL ID:sharma.ashwin5@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Tourism has always attracted human; it can be for leisure, business, education, culture,
enjoyment, you can have joy. Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity.
India offers varied flavours mingling in the steam of a country coming of age. The country
has always been a destination for persons around the world for education, research, discovery,
religious beliefs and unity in diversity. Teeming with over a billion people who voice over a
million concerns in fifteen hundred different languages. In this beautiful and bountiful land
i.e. Indiaevents, experiences and sensations heap themselves on the tourist at every step.
From the Himalayas to the desert of Rajasthan, to the natural beauty of Kerala and the
cultural intensity of Varanasi. India offers something for everyone.
But in recent years things have shifted. With the growth of the online travel industry, in all its
different guises, people now have a lot more information at their fingertips and the research
process has become a larger, richer part of holiday planning. At the same time, travel industry
providers have grown exponentially in India, so visitors now have more options than ever. In
turn, this means that India has to work harder to keep up with demand, and demands.
Tourism is a significant sector of the Indian economy and contributes significantly to the
countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE). The Indian
tourism sector is also linked with important sectors such as transportation, infrastructure, and
handicraft, which further helps in the growth and development of the country. India currently
holds the 12th position in Asia and 52nd position in the overall list of world's most attractive
tourist destinations, as per the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 by the World
Economic Forum (WEF). The World travel and tourism Counsil calculated thattouris
generated Rs.8.31 lakh roe i.e. 6.3% of nations GDP in 2015 and supported 37.315 million
jobs, 8.7% of total employment.

Himachal The land of Snow from its sun-kissed snowy mountains, lush green valleys, to
blue lakes, the state has it all. The economy of the state depends mainly on tourism. Among
the long list of places of tourist interest in the state Shimla, Kullu Manali, Rohtang pass,
Chamba and many more a part of attraction. Apart from sight seeing in and around Himachal
Pradesh, one can also indulge into trekking in the lofty mountains of the paradisiacal state.
For paragliding Billing near Baijnath Kangra, has always been centre for world class sports.
Tourism as a pro-poor growth strategy, all this study work of tourism had been analyzed
systematically with the help of tables, graphs, charts, pictures and statistical tools. And of
course in this study a well framed and well planned survey has been done, which was divided
in to four sections viz. a survey for tourists, survey of service viii providers at higher level
and the survey for service providers working at the lower level in the Himachal Pradesh
tourism industry and survey for the Department of tourism. The hypothesis that number of
tourist arrivals significantly influenced by infrastructure and political stability, the tourism
industry positively influences economic development of Himachal Pradesh and tourism has
the positive influence on poor people of Himachal Pradesh has been revealed by this study.
As per information given by tourists, the purpose of visiting Himachal Pradesh is due to its
pilgrimage, scenic beauty, monasteries and heritage tourism etc. While poor infrastructure,
lack of correct information etc, are stated to be the constraints for the growth of tourism in
India and for particularly in Himachal Pradesh. Some of the suggestions for promoting
tourism in India in general and Himachal Pradesh in particular include: Development of
Infrastructure, wide advertisement, etc. It has been found that tourist arrival to India is
increasing and from the recent years for Himachal Pradesh as well. Tourism has a positive
impact on the economy which has been proved at both India and HP level. Among the
deterministic factors, the infrastructure has remained the main influencing factors for
attracting the inbound tourism. Poverty which has remained the main obstacle to growth of
economy can be alleviated by developing tourism industry which is supported by the analysis
presented in this study. This study has also done SWOT analysis of the tourism industry at
both India and HP level. Through its forward and backward linkage effects, tourism facilitates
employment, income to all those involved directly or indirectly with tourism industry, better
standard of living of the people and revenue to the government.
A Public Private Partnership would together help this sector to grow in mutual benefit thereby
making better and better image of the country. Each person has to understand that they are
individually and collectively responsible for the betterment of the sector, so that the words
would hold correct in their sense Atithi Devo Bhava