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India Among Richest Tourist Destinations

India, a vast subcontinent of Asia, is one of the world's richest tourist destinations. With a history of 5,000 years, it has beckoned and welcomed the traveler, intrigued the visitor, and even held many in embrace forever.

Its enormous diversity of culture, faiths, languages, fairs and festivals, majestic monuments, and captivating wildlife make for a variety that can take in almost the world.

India today is on the crest of a wave of multidimensional development. The achievements of India are many--agricultural and industrial, scientific and technological, etc.

It is the 10th most highly industrialized country in the world, and it manufactures almost all the consumer and industrial products it needs. Having built the basic industrial foundation, India is now going for state-of-the-art technology in industries like electronics, space technology, computers, biotechnology, telecommunications, etc. Thus, the industrial development under the democratic set-up has brought to its people the benefits of the modern world, thereby transforming them into a vibrant society experiencing ancient civilization in a modern environment.

To the Indian, the country is a harmonious whole, which he does not question. To the foreigner, the diversity is a puzzling complexity, which he seeks to explore and understand.

Its enchanting natural frontiers make it a fascinating vacation country. The souvenirs of her glorious past still survive: edicts and stupas from the Mauryan age; rock temples and mural paintings of Ajanta and Ellora from the Gupta age; the magnificent heritage of the Chola and Pallava kings; the striking 13th century Sun Temple at Konarak; Khajuraho Temples; the tradition of architecture left behind by the Muslim rulers in Delhi, Mandu, Golconda, Bijapur, Ahmedhabad; the great places of the Moghuls like the Red Fort, Taj Mahal, and Fatehpur Sikri.

India is home to all major religions of the world. Christianity came to India in the first century when St. Thomas, one of the disciples, arrived in Kerala in A.D. 54. The existence of these varied religions has given India, apart from a secular outlook, a rich cultural heritage. The coexistence of various religions and cultures enriches the ordinary workingman's year with a great number of festivals--holidays enjoyed in the extravagance of emotions.

There is perhaps no portion of the Indian calendar when in some part of the country a festival is not being celebrated or a fair is not being held. To these festivals, independent India added the spectacular Republic Day pageant, matched only by the tide of nationalism of India's 800 million people.

The rich tradition of both classical and folk dance and music inextricably woven together further add to the richness of India's cultural heritage. The traditional culture of Indian music envelops the entire life of a man in a shell of melodic sound. There are several well-defined classical dance forms, each of which has evolved from a particular part of the country. The world-famous ancient classical forms Bharat Natyam in Tamil Nadu; Kathakali in Kerala; Odissi in Orissa; Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh; and Kathak in North India are a treat to the eye. Apart from these, there are many regional folk dances that have maintained the cultural identity of various regions for ages.

A visitor to India, therefore, is in for an unforgettable experience. Judging from the available international trends, tourism is destined for a major upsurge, and a big traffic movement is expected in the coming years. Given the current success, India is well set to emerge as one of the most popular destinations in the 1990s, and the country is being geared to meet the challenge.

To give thrust to the effort, the year 1991 has been declared as the "Visit India Tourism Year," during which the traditional lamp of welcome will be lighting India's gateways to the 1990s and welcoming a new decade of tourism.

The 12-month celebration will be taking place all across India, in festivals ablaze with color, pageantry, ritual, and custom.

With one-of-a-kind cultural fairs and events, music, dance, and sumptuous native cuisines, the international traveler will see India in all its splendor and feel the special spirit of welcome that burns brightly in every home and every heart within India.

An elaborate calendar of events has been drawn up, and to facilitate international tourists, special measures have been taken by the government, like relaxation of visa rules, opening up of new areas, and liberalization of charter flights to India.

The infrastructure facilities, which mostly compare with the best in the world, are being further improved and augmented by involving all segments of professions that are associated with the tourism industry. To increase hotel accommodations of all categories, a number of incentives have been announced to make investment in the hotel industry more attractive. Presently also, there is a wide range of hotel accommodations, from the five-star deluxe category offering luxury features to the one-star category with clean and comfortable accommodations, at almost all places frequented by foreign tourists.

Palace hotels and luxurious houseboats have unique features of their own. Major international hotel chains are also operating in India, including Intercontinental, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Kempinski, Meridien, Sofitel, and Hyatt. Recently, Radisson entered into a tie-in with the government-owned Ashok Hotel chain, and Regent and Days Inn will be joining soon.

In the field of aviation, India has a four-airline network: international, Air India; domestic, Indian Airlines; feeder airline, Vayudoot; and helicopter service, Pawan Hans. This network serves the needs of the evergrowing air traffic. Permission has been granted for operating air taxis.

Likewise, the surface-transportation network is also most extensive, connecting this vast and often inaccessible land by a multitude of transport forms.

Indian Railways, the largest in Asia, carries large quantities of freight and some 9 million to 10 million passengers every day. For foreign tourists, there is a special train called the Palace on Wheels. It comprises 13 original luxury saloons that were custom built for the Maharajas. Each carriage carries the emblem of the princely state to which it belonged and serves as a miniature traveling palace with fittings that reflect the opulent taste of the bygone era.

Road transport comprises various types of vehicles, including air-conditioned cars and coaches. The Hertz and Budget rental-car companies of the U.S. are also operating in India.

On account of its diversity, both natural and man-made, India offers endless attractions for foreign tourists. Its beautiful beaches at Goa; Kovalam (Kerala); Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu); and Puri, Konarak (Orissa) have been developed as holiday resorts comparable with international standards. Then there are hill resorts for a quiet holiday. In addition, 18 new tourist circuits are being developed to enable tourists to visit less-frequented areas possessing high touristic value.

For the adventure traveler, there are great outdoor activities--mountaineering, rock climbing, river running, fishing, trekking, ballooning, and more. One can play golf almost anywhere, for this outdoor sport is widely played. In fact, India was the first country outside of Great Britain to take up the game of golf. The canvas of unusual adventure sports is as colorful as one chooses to paint it.

Then there is wildlife viewing. India has a magnificent heritage of wildlife. It is only here, for instance, that the tiger, the lion, and the leopard roam the same country. It also has the one-horned rhinoceros, a rare species. Accommodations near wildlife sanctuaries exist in the form of forest lodges.

India is known as a shopper's paradise. Shopping in India immediately brings to mind an array of exotica: silks and sandalwood; fine cottons hand-printed, embroidered, or in traditional weaves; textured khadi cloth; gems and jewels; metalware; woodwork; rugs and carpets; miniature paintings; the "attar" of rose, khus, jasmine, and champa. . . . The list is endless.

A shopping trip in India involves much more than just buying things. It is adventurous, entertaining, and nostalgic. It is getting to know people and history.

Blessed with the rare combination of ancient civilization and the development of a modern world, India is an ideal destination for incentive travel. Here, an incentive package for a top sales team or highly valued dealers and clients is an experience beyond mere luxury. It is a fantasy come alive.

In India, yesterday walks hand in hand with tomorrow. Luxury hotels, representing many prestigious international chains, bring together the best of the East and West; professional service conforming to exacting international standards is presented with uniquely Indian warmth and charm. Fully equipped business centers and conference and convention facilities cater to the needs of business travelers. Air-conditioned limousines and luxury coaches, one of the largest railroad networks in the world, and a domestic airline with a huge fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft provide direct and comfortable access to every place in the country. The latest communications technology makes instant connections possible through telex, telephone, and fax, within the country and outside. And all at a price to make one smile.

PHOTO : The Taj Intercontinental is but one of many international hotels operated in India by major chains such as Sheraton, Holiday Inn, and Ramada.

PHOTO : A woman carries flowers during the Gangaur Festival at Jaipur.

PHOTO : For the adventurer, river running will be a highlight of a visit to India. Other great outdoor activities include mountaineering and rock climbing.

PHOTO : The Meenakshi Temple at Madurai is among the many surviving souvenirs of India's glorious past.

PHOTO : The Ganesh Festival at Bombay is as colorful as it is captivating.

COPYRIGHT 1991 U.S. Chamber of Commerce
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group