Tourism in the Past
In Diwali holidays we go to relatives, to a temple or to see forts. Humans have been travelling for thousands of years for such many reasons.
Travelling to visit places in distant regions for a specific purpose is tourism. The tradition of travelling is very old in India.
Key idea 1 : Reasons for travel — People travelled for many reasons like pilgrimage, local fairs and festivals, search of a famous teacher and good education, and trade. As per Buddhist literature Gautam Buddha visited many cities for preaching; monks were ordered not to stay in one place but keep moving; Jain monks and sadhus also kept moving. The Chinese monk Xuanzang (Yuan Shwang) travelled to India in 630 CE. In the medieval period Saint Namdev, Saint Eknath, Guru Nanak and Ramdas Swami travelled across India.
Key idea 2 : Famous travellers — Benjamin of Tudela (1159-1173 CE), born in Spain, is called the first European traveller; his diaries are important historical documents. The Italian Marco Polo (13th century) introduced Asia, especially China, to Europe; he stayed in China for 17 years. Ibn Battuta (14th century) travelled about 30 years and had resolved not to travel twice on the same route; his accounts help understand medieval history and social life. Gerardus Mercator (16th century) was a cartographer; his world map and globe proved useful for navigation around the world.
Key idea 3 : Beginning of modern tourism — Thomas Cook organised a railway trip from Leicester to Loughborough for about 600 people; later he organised a round trip of Europe and set up a travel agency selling tickets. This gave direction to modern tourism. Vishnubhat Godse wrote his journey from Maharashtra to Ayodhya during the 1857 war of independence; it is published as the book ‘Maza Pravas’; he was an eyewitness to many events and the book gives details on the Queen of Jhansi and the nature of Marathi of that time.
- Easy : Rule to keep moving for whom? — Buddhist monks.
- Medium : Chinese monk who visited India? — Xuanzang.
- Exam-type : Who wrote ‘Maza Pravas’? — Vishnubhat Godse.
In the figure: Famous travellers and Cook.
Thomas Cook’s first railway trip ran on 5 July 1841 from Leicester to Loughborough; there were about 500 to 570 passengers (sources differ), one shilling each. The textbook puts this in the latter half of the 19th century; but as per sources 1841 is the first half, so check with the book.
630-Marco-Ibn-1841.
Thomas Cook’s first trip was in 1841; it falls in the first half of the 19th century.
Memory clue: Travellers: Benjamin, Marco, Ibn, Mercator, Cook. Memory clue: "Be-Ma-Ib-Me-Co".
Spot the difference
| Traveller | Period | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Marco Polo | 13th century | Introduced Asia to Europe |
| Ibn Battuta | 14th century | Information on medieval times |
| Mercator | 16th century | World map and globe |
Practice questions
- 1What is tourism?
- 2Why did people travel in ancient times?
- 3Write about the travels of Buddha and monks.
- 4Write a note on Marco Polo.
- 5Why are Ibn Battuta’s accounts important?
- 6State the contribution of Thomas Cook.
- 7How is ‘Maza Pravas’ a historical source?
- 8Describe one trip of your family.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Travel to visit distant places for a purpose.
- 2For pilgrimage, fairs, education, trade.
- 3Buddha visited cities for preaching; monks to keep moving.
- 4Italian; 17 years in China; gave Europe information on Asia.
- 5They show medieval history and social life.
- 6Organised trip, Europe tour, ticket agency.
- 7Eyewitness account of 1857 and nature of language of that time.
- 8Student writes reason, route and experience.
Types of Tourism
Someone goes for a temple visit, someone to see forts, someone to see farms. Reasons differ so types of tourism differ.
Desire to visit monuments, historic places, natural beauty, handicraft centres, pilgrim centres and industrial centres grew tourism and made it a local, interstate, national and international business.
Key idea 1 : Local, interstate and international — Local and interstate tourism is within one’s own country so there are no barriers of language, currency and papers and one can plan at a convenient time. International tourism became easier due to railways, marine and air transport; due to India’s economic liberalisation policy the number of people going and coming increased: studies, relaxation, sightseeing, professional work, film shooting; official documents are needed for going abroad.
Key idea 2 : Historical, religious and geographic — Historical tourism: trips to historic places for interest in history; the Marathi writer Gopal Neelkanth Dandekar arranged hiking tours to forts of Maharashtra; forts of Rajasthan, ashrams of Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave, places linked to 1857. Religious tourism: people scattered across the world feel united through mythological traditions and places; Ahilyabai Holkar made amenities from her own funds on the routes of Chardham and Bara Jyotirlinga yatras. Geographic tourism: sanctuaries, Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand), beaches, the crater lake at Lonar and ranjankhalage at Nighoj.
Key idea 3 : Health, agro, sports and special events — Health tourism: western countries find health services in India comparatively cheaper and of good standard; yoga training and Ayurvedic therapies also attract. Agro-tourism: showing rural life to urban people; Indian farmers also visit agricultural research centres, universities and countries like Israel. Sports tourism: developed in the 20th century; Olympics, Wimbledon, chess championships, ‘Himalayan Car Rally’, ‘Maharashtra Kesari’ wrestling. Special events: film festivals, conferences, book exhibitions and the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan. There are also science, leisure (wellness), cultural and group tourism.
- Easy : Hiking to forts — which tourism? — Historical.
- Medium : Visiting Lonar crater — which? — Geographic.
- Exam-type : Going to a literary convention — which? — Special-event based.
In the figure: Main types of tourism.
Historical-Religious-Geographic-Health-Agro-Sports-Special.
Interstate tourism is not international; being within the country it has fewer barriers of currency and language.
Memory clue: Tourism = reason + place. Memory clue: "Where interest, there tourism".
Spot the difference
| Type | Example | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Historical | Forts of Rajasthan | Interest in history |
| Geographic | Lonar, Nighoj | See geographic features |
| Agro | Farm visits | Understand rural life |
Practice questions
- 1State main types of tourism.
- 2Write difference between local and international tourism.
- 3Why did international tourism increase?
- 4What is historical tourism?
- 5Write Ahilyabai Holkar’s contribution to religious tourism.
- 6Why are foreigners attracted to health tourism?
- 7What is agro-tourism?
- 8Describe any three types of tourism.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Local, interstate, international, historical, religious, geographic, health, agro, sports, special events.
- 2Local = within country, fewer barriers; international = currency, language, papers.
- 3Due to transport facilities and economic liberalisation.
- 4Visits to places for interest in history.
- 5Made amenities on pilgrim routes at own cost.
- 6Cheaper good health services, yoga and Ayurveda.
- 7Showing farming and rural life to urban people.
- 8Student writes with examples.
Development and Conservation of Heritage
It feels bad to see a name written on a fort wall. To grow tourism the places must be kept clean and safe.
Proper guidance to tourists, safety, amenities and preservation of heritage sites are key issues of tourism development. Heritage of a country is of two kinds: natural and cultural (man-made).
Key idea 1 : Issues of tourism development — Guidance on many aspects of travel and on proper social conduct during the trip and stay; safe transport and security, good accommodation, washrooms on routes; needs of disabled tourists. Tourists should get pamphlets, guides and books in their own language; taxi drivers should be trained in several languages and guiding. The ‘Swachh Bharat’ drive helps.
Key idea 2 : Preserving heritage sites — India has many heritage sites of ancient, medieval and modern times; Taj Mahal (Agra), Jantar Mantar observatory (Jaipur), Ajanta-Verul-Gharapuri caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kas plateau in the Western Ghats (world natural heritage). We feel proud when they become world heritage; but if we see names written with charcoal and pictures drawn there it spoils the nation’s image. So two resolves: (1) I shall try to keep heritage sites clean. (2) I shall not do anything that vandalises a historic site.
Key idea 3 : Heritage walks — A tour to visit historical places is a ‘Heritage Walk’; it gives the thrill of being part of history. Ahmedabad’s heritage walk is famous; they are regularly held in Mumbai and Pune. People then support conservation projects and collect and publish authentic information. Residences of renowned citizens who have passed away are heritage too; in some cities ‘blue plaques’ with information are placed on them. Heritage walks can be organised in educational tours with teachers’ help.
- Easy : Carving a name on a wall — what? — Vandalism.
- Medium : A tour of historic sites with information? — Heritage walk.
- Exam-type : What for disabled tourists? — Special facilities.
In the figure: Steps of tourism development.
What happened before John Smith saw the Ajanta caves (1819)? For centuries after the monks left, the Ajanta caves lay hidden by forest above the Waghora river.
What happened after John Smith saw the Ajanta caves (1819)? On 28 April 1819 the British officer John Smith, hunting tigers there, was led to Cave 10, and the world slowly came to know of Ajanta. In 1983 UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.
Safety-Guidance-Cleanliness-Growth.
World heritage status does not end care; preserving is everyone’s duty.
Memory clue: Preserve = cleanliness + avoid vandalism. Memory clue: "Take only photos, leave no marks".
Spot the difference
| Point | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Site | Keep clean | Writing on walls |
| Tourist | Pamphlets, guides | Neglect |
| Heritage | Organise heritage walks | Garish painting |
Practice questions
- 1What are the crucial issues in tourism development?
- 2What facilities should be given to tourists?
- 3How many kinds of heritage are there?
- 4How to avoid vandalism of heritage sites?
- 5What is a heritage walk?
- 6What is a blue plaque?
- 7Write your two resolves for heritage preservation.
- 8Prepare a heritage walk plan for your school.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Guidance, safety, amenities, cleanliness, heritage preservation.
- 2Safe transport, stay, washrooms, information in language.
- 3Natural and cultural.
- 4No writing on walls, no carving on trees, no garish painting.
- 5An informative tour of historic places.
- 6Information plaque on a deceased citizen’s house.
- 7I will keep clean; will not vandalise.
- 8A plan of route, places, time and info boards.
Opportunities in Tourism and Hospitality
At Mahabaleshwar horse-keepers, photographers, guides and strawberry sellers all get work because of tourists. So tourism feeds many.
Tourism and hospitality is an industry with potential to give maximum employment; if managed professionally it is very stable.
Key idea 1 : Economy from tourism — The country starts getting revenue even before the tourist lands at the airport; he spends on visa, travel, hotel stay, food, payment to translators and guides, newspapers, reference books, souvenirs. Markets grow near a tourist centre; demand for local handicrafts, cottage industries and local food increases; artisans, businessmen and labourers get better income. At Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani guides, photographers and horse-keepers earn well.
Key idea 2 : Tourism in Maharashtra — Ajanta, Verul, Gharapuri caves; Dehu, Alandi, Jejuri, Pandharpur, Shirdi, Shegaon, Tuljapur, Kolhapur, Nashik, Tryambakeshwar, Paithan, Haji Malang, Gurudwara at Nanded, Mount Mary Church of Mumbai; Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Khandala, Lonavala, Matheran, Chikhaldara; dams at Koynanagar, Jayakwadi, Bhatghar, Chandoli; sanctuaries at Dajipur, Sagareshwar, Tadoba are important tourist centres. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation was set up in 1975; it gave tourist hotels at 47 places that can accommodate more than 4000 tourists; many private entrepreneurs also give services.
Key idea 3 : ‘Village of Books’ and cultural tourism — Bhilar (near Mahabaleshwar) is famous for strawberries and also known as the ‘Village of Books’; every house has its own library for tourists. Maharashtra government implemented this scheme to speed up the reading culture movement; it has biographies, autobiographies, fiction, poetry, women’s literature, sports literature, children’s literature. Cultural tourism includes visiting reputed educational institutions, seeing local culture, history and traditions, seeing historic monuments, understanding achievements of local people and taking part in dance-music festivals.
- Easy : Demand for which goods grows near a tourist centre? — Handicrafts and local food.
- Medium : Village of Books? — Bhilar.
- Exam-type : When was MTDC set up? — 1975.
In the figure: The chain of tourism.
Bhilar, a village in Satara district, started on 4 May 2017 under Maharashtra government’s ‘Village of Books’ scheme; sources say the idea was inspired by Hay-on-Wye, a book town in Britain. (As per several sources; check with the book)
Tourists-Spend-Market-Jobs.
Tourism does not benefit only hoteliers; artisans, guides, horse-keepers and photographers all gain.
Memory clue: Tourism = jobs. Memory clue: "Tourist comes, jobs grow".
Spot the difference
| Who | How they earn | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Guide | By giving information | Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani |
| Artisan | By selling handicrafts | Local markets |
| Entrepreneur | Stay and services | Tourist hotels |
Practice questions
- 1How does the tourism industry create employment?
- 2What benefit to local economy near a tourist centre?
- 3State the work of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.
- 4Write four tourist centres of Maharashtra and their type.
- 5Write the features of Bhilar.
- 6What comes under cultural tourism?
- 7Which are professional fields associated with tourism?
- 8Write new occupations that came due to tourism near your village.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Jobs from hotels, transport, guides, handicrafts, food.
- 2Demand for handicrafts and local food, more income.
- 3Set up in 1975; tourist hotels at 47 places.
- 4Ajanta (historical), Pandharpur (religious), Tadoba (sanctuary), Matheran (hill station).
- 5Village of books; library in every house; strawberries.
- 6Educational institutes, local culture, monuments, festivals.
- 7Guide, travel agent, hotel management, translator.
- 8Student writes local examples.