DOMESTIC TOURISM

DOMESTIC TOURISM

Internal as well as National Tourism.

Movement of people outside their normal domicile to other areas within the boundaries of Nation.

Tourism has been a major social phenomenon from time immemorial. Motivated by the natural urge of every human being for new experiences, adventure, education and entertainment, these also include social, cultural and business interests.

SIGNIFICANCE OF DOMESTIC TOURISM

Travel for pilgrimage and learning .

Development of traditional industries and trade created yet another stream of travellers.

India has been experiencing a massive movement of domestic tourists for several decades.

A few centuries ago the Mughal rulers introduced pleasure tourism by building luxurious palaces and gardens in places of natural scenic attraction, including many in the beautiful valley of Kashmir.

During the British rule in India, that domestic tourism received new direction and meaning. Several hill stations were also developed during the period, which became the core of the Indian leisure tourism.

Millions of pilgrims and devotees now travelling from one part of the country to another make an effort to understand the spirit and mystique of India and take pride in its ancient cultural traditions and ethos.

Domestic tourism is also one of the most vibrant expressions of Indian heritage. It is the single unifying force, which helps in achieving understanding between various linguistic, religious and communal groups living in different parts of the country.

From approximately 270 million domestic visits in 2003, the number rose to almost 432 million in 2006. The ministry of tourism's vision is to achieve a level of 760 million domestic tourist visits by the year 2011, the end of the 11th Plan at an annual average growth of 12 per cent.

Earlier domestic tourism was confined to lower spectrum of spending and so did not figure in hotel and restaurant receipts. Now the domestic tourist demand is shifting to expensive tourist resorts, hotels and resorts. Some of our pilgrim places lack even basic hygienic amenities. Basic facilities at these places including camping sites and budget hotels, which the ordinary travellers could afford should be developed not only at the pilgrimage and religious places but at other places of interest.

Apart from the cultural benefits, domestic more than international tourism, help in the development of local products including handicrafts and cottage industry products which the visitors take back as gifts for their relatives and friends. The economically backward regions also get benefited on account of the visit of the domestic tourists from creation of employment and income opportunities.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TOURISM