Pilgrim Tourism and Transportation-Opportunities, Problems and Challenges

Abstract

India's tourist arrivals increased from 3.92 million in 2005 to 4.43 million in 2006, showing an increase of 13% by showing the same pace of growth it touched the figure of 5 million in 2007. Foreign Exchange earnings from Tourism also increased from $ 5730.86 million in 2005 to $ 6569.34 million in 2006 and reached the figure of $ 9 billion in 2007 with the growth rate of 33% as against the corresponding period in 2006. Though the foreign tourist arrival has recorded a double-digit growth, domestic travel is the backbone of Indian tourism industry, with 460 million Indians travelers in the year 2007. The National Action Plan for Tourism (1991) for the first time recognized the importance of Pilgrim Tourism and drew attention to the need for improvement of infrastructure in places of pilgrimage for a better growth of pilgrim tourism and increase in their satisfaction. Tourism destination would be of little value if their locations are inaccessible. Mobility is an essential element for encompassing journey. Indian Tourism relies heavily on domestic travelers which account nearly 70% of the total tourism business. The choice of destination depends on traveler but the factors behind their movement like Airlines, Railways Roads and even Porters also play a vital role in their mobility. To sum up it is suggested that Tourism industry is needed to have an adequate concern towards Transport oriented infrastructure developments where its ease and cost are the critical factors needed to be improved and maintained in order to have a better Logistical policies and implications in Tourism industry.

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