Q1. Write a detailed note on emergence of modern tourism in India.
- British colonial era laid foundational infrastructure like railways and hill stations, inadvertently aiding future tourism.
- Post-independence, the Department of Tourism (1949) formalized government's role in tourism development.
- India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC, 1966) pioneered state-led development of essential tourism infrastructure.
- Economic liberalization (1990s) attracted private investment and global players, significantly boosting service quality and capacity.
Answer: The emergence of modern tourism in India is a multifaceted process, evolving significantly from its rudimentary forms to a structured, industry-driven sector. While travel for pilgrimage, trade, and administrative purposes has ancient roots, modern tourism, characterized by leisure, planned itineraries, and infrastructure, primarily began to take shape during the colonial era and solidified post-independence. During the British Raj, rudimentary infrastructure crucial for modern tourism started ...