Introduction:

Globalization has caused many countries to evaluate their economical strengths and weaknesses, as well as reassess products or services in which nations can benefit. One such product and service that has emerged over the past decade is tourism. It is the basic and the most desirable human activity describing the praise and encouragement of all people and government. It is one of the largest service industry in terms of gross revenue and foreign exchange earnings. Today its role and importance in fostering economic development of a country and creating greater employment opportunities has been well recognised worldwide.

What actually tourism means?

Tourism is traveling for predominantly recreational or leisure purposes or the provision of services to support this leisure travel. There are two elements in tourism; the journey to the destination and the stay including activities at the destination; The journey and the stay take place outside the normal place of residence and work, so that tourism gives rise to activities, which are distinct from those of the resident and working populations of the places, through which tourists travel and in which they stay;

 The movement to destinations is of a temporary, short-term character, with intention to return within a few days, weeks or months.

Who are tourists?

Tourists are people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited".

Objectives of tourism in India:

- Identifying and developing tourist destinations. - Diversifications of tourism products in order to attract more tourists through a varied consumer choice. - Creating and providing adequate facilities for tourists within their budget. - Strengthening the existing infrastructure and amenities. - Generation of wealth and employment within the country for overall economic development.

Importance of tourism in India:

1) It brings the opportunity of infrastructure development. The overall development of any country depends specially on the improvement of road, vehicles, communication, water supply, airports, and railway stations.

2) This industry can generate maximum employment opportunity. And its simply because of the number of subsidiary industries. Currently employment generated by tourism in India is 4.59% of total employment. 3) Foreign tourists buy handicrafts of almost of Rs one thousand crore. in a

year.
4) Total income from this smoke-less industry in this country is almost Rs

20000 crore and that is again without any factory.

5) Regions like Aurangabad in Maharastra, Khajuraho in MP, Jammu & Kashmir, Raghurajpur in Orissa etc emerged with the help of tourism only.

Basic details of tourism industry:

Sector: Service sector Sectors involved in it: transport, accommodation, government Contribution in market: Rank in Asia pacific region: 12th Overall rank: 68th Long term growth rank: 5th