Introduction to Tourism in India

Travel for pilgrimage and learning has been an integral part of Indian culture from the beginning of civilization. Tourism today is a unifying force globally and contributes to national unity, cultural integration, and understanding among people from different regions of our vast country. In India, millions of people directly or indirectly depend on tourism for their employment and livelihood. Tourism is the third largest source of our foreign exchange earnings. But considering the immense potential of tourism in our country, the growth could be much larger.

Significance of Tourism

Tourism is in fact the largest industry in the world and therefore has strategic importance to countries with natural endowments such as ours. India has been a tourist destination from ancient times. Fahien and Hwen-Tsiang from China, Mark Twain, and a few Christian apostles from the West came to India many years ago. But still, many beautiful treasures of our country are little known or unknown to our own people.

Purpose of the Encyclopaedia

With this objective in mind, the author has planned this encyclopaedia by covering independently each state with detailed analysis of its cultural, geographical, aerial, and social resources. For the convenience of the readers, 28 states and 7 union territories are covered under 2 volumes. As a result, this encyclopaedia would not only interest domestic and foreign tourists who desire to know more about the destination (state) they intend to visit but would also be a useful resource material for travel professionals, planners, students, and as well as common readers.