8.1 Tourism in the Past
Travelling in Ancient India: Travelling is an old tradition in India. People travelled for pilgrimage, festivals, education, trade, or to visit famous teachers.
Religious Travellers: Buddhist monks, Jain sadhus, and saints like Namdev, Eknath, Guru Nanak, and Ramdas Swami travelled across India to spread teachings.
Famous Travellers:
- Yuan Shwang: A Chinese monk who visited India in 630 C.E. to study and preach.
- Benjamin of Tudela: A 12th-century Spanish traveller who explored Europe, Asia, and Africa, keeping detailed diaries (1159-1173 C.E.).
- Marco Polo: A 13th-century Italian who introduced China to Europe, writing about Asian culture and trade.
- Ibn Batuta: A 14th-century traveller who explored the Islamic world for 30 years, avoiding the same route twice.
- Gerardus Mercator: A 16th-century cartographer who created world maps and globes, aiding navigation.
Thomas Cook: In the 19th century, he organized a group train trip in England and later started a travel agency, laying the foundation for modern tourism.
Vishnubhat Godse: His book Maza Pravas describes his journey from Maharashtra to Ayodhya during the 1857 Indian War of Independence, providing historical insights and details about Lakshmibai, the Queen of Jhansi.
8.2 Types of Tourism
Definition: Tourism is travelling to distant places for specific purposes like sightseeing, relaxation, or learning.
Reasons for Tourism: People visit historical monuments, natural sites, pilgrim centres, industrial areas, or places known for handicrafts.
Types of Tourism:
- Local and Interstate Tourism: Travelling within one’s own country; easy due to no language or currency issues.
- International Tourism: Travelling abroad, made easier by trains, ships, and planes; requires documents like visas.
- Historical Tourism: Visiting historical sites like forts in Rajasthan or Gandhi’s ashrams; popular in Maharashtra for Shivaji Maharaj’s forts.
- Religious Tourism: Visiting sacred places like Chardham or Jyotirlingas, supported by facilities built by Ahilyabai Holkar.
- Geographic Tourism: Exploring natural wonders like the Valley of Flowers, Lonar Crater Lake, or Nighoj’s ranjankhalage.
- Health Tourism: Visiting India for affordable medical care, yoga, or Ayurvedic therapies, especially by foreigners.
- Agro-Tourism: Urban people visit rural areas to experience farming; farmers visit agricultural research centres.
- Sports Tourism: Travelling for events like the Olympics, Wimbledon, or Maharashtra Kesari wrestling.
- Tourism Based on Special Events: Attending film festivals, book exhibitions, or Marathi Sahitya Sammelan.
- Other Types: Science tourism, wellness tourism, cultural tourism, and group tourism.
8.3 Development of Tourism
Key Issues: Proper guidance on travel, social conduct, and safety is essential for tourism growth.
Facilities Needed:
- Safe transport and security for tourists.
- Good accommodation and clean washrooms.
- Special facilities for handicapped tourists.
Role of Media: Audio-visual presentations highlight tourist spots, attracting more visitors.
Guides and Literature:
- Pamphlets, history books, and guides should be available in multiple languages.
- Taxi drivers can be trained as guides and to speak different languages.
Swachh Bharat: Cleanliness drives help make tourist sites more appealing.
8.4 Conservation and Preservation of Heritage
Heritage Types:
- Natural Heritage: Sites like the Western Ghats or Kas Plateau.
- Cultural Heritage: Man-made sites like Taj Mahal, Ajanta caves, or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Railway Terminus.
World Heritage Sites in India: Taj Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Ajanta-Verul-Gharapuri caves, and Western Ghats.
Challenges:
- Vandalism, like writing on monuments or painting them, damages heritage sites.
- Lack of cleanliness around sites affects India’s image.
Solutions:
- Avoid defacing monuments or carving on trees.
- Maintain cleanliness at heritage sites.
- Educate tourists to respect historical places.
Importance: Preserving heritage sites boosts national pride and attracts global tourists.
8.5 Professional Opportunities in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Heritage Walks: Organized tours to historical sites, popular in cities like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Pune; encourage conservation efforts.
Economic Benefits:
- Tourism creates jobs like guides, translators, hotel staff, and photographers.
- Tourists spend on visas, hotels, food, and souvenirs, boosting the economy.
- Local handicrafts and food industries grow, benefiting artisans and businesses.
Maharashtra’s Tourism:
- Rich with rock-cut caves (Ajanta, Verul, Gharapuri), pilgrim centres (Pandharpur, Shirdi), hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Matheran), and sanctuaries (Tadoba).
- Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), set up in 1975, provides hotels for over 4000 tourists.
Bhilar – Village of Books: A unique tourist spot near Mahabaleshwar where every house has a library to promote Marathi literature.
Job Opportunities:
- Guides provide information to tourists.
- Photographers and horsekeepers earn through tourist services.
- Roles in hotels, travel agencies, and heritage conservation offer stable careers.
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