A STUDY OF TOiil^ISM POLICY OF GOVERNMENT OF liVDXA WITH SPECIAL ;;^EFER:£;\!CE TO RAJASTHAiM "^rOURISM DEVELOPi^EI^T CORPORATION ABSTRACT THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGRt t A iDctor of ^\)iU&o;?hy IN COMMERCE BY AHIT KUMAR VARSHNEY ii>^^'^ Under the Supervision of PROF. MOHD. ^10HSIN KHAN Ph [) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ALIGARM HUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALXGARH (INDIA) 2010 The present study is an endeavor to find out tlie impact of tourism policies and the role of RTDC in the growth and development of tourism in Rajasthan. It is evident from the study that tourism has great potential to provide employment, cultivate tolerance and encourage knowledge of different cultures, while aiding in the preservation of heritage and the environment. Tourism statistics have shown that a large amount of revenue is brought into the country. In recent years, tourism is regarded as one of the world's biggest and fastest growing industries. It has been playing a pivotal role in the socio-economic and cultural development in India. India is hence-trying its best, .to strengthen the tourism industry by formulating various plans and policies. In order to achieve higher level of growth it is imperative that policies are formulated where great care is taken about the development of infrastructure and other allied developments so that optimum level of growth is achieved. Policies formulated by the government has taken care of these need but there are still gray areas which need to be strenuously addressed to at the earliest like adopting more vigorous marketing strategy, rationalizing the charge of various destinations and lowering the charge of hotels and heritage trains like Palace on wheels and Heritage on wheels. In India tourism not only has direct contribution to the economy but it has significant linkages also with several other sectors like agriculture, poultry, handicrafts, construction, transport, etc. Tourism as an activity, enhances the quality of life, preserves the national heritage and encourages the appreciation of India's diverse cultures, both by Indians and foreign visitors. India's share in the international tourist arrivals was 0.56% in 2007 registering 42"'^rank in world's tourist arrivals. While it, stood 47* 1998 in the world ranking, which went up to 54 in 2002, 44 in 2004, 41 in 2005 and 42 in 2006. India's rank in world tourism receipts was 20 with a share 1.25 % of total international tourism receipts in 2007. From the economic point of view tourism is especially important in developing countries, like India. It is a catalyst to economic growth and also generates foreign exchange. Its importance as economic factor is also evident from its being a multibillion dollar activity, the second largest industry after oil and the largest single employer in the world. It can be used as an instrumental tool to remove regional imbalance by providing employment opportunities and development of infrastructural facility in those area, which till date have remained underdeveloped. Tourism ensures a minimal use of natural resources and optimum use of manpower and expertise thus leading to sustainable development. Apart from being an economic and cultural force, tourism vitally helps in promoting universal brotherhood and world peace. It also helps in bringing about closer understanding between the peoples of diverse nationalities, customs, religions, cultures and social backgrounds. Tourism can be a vehicle for the realization of man's highest aspirations in the quest for knowledge, education. rumsW understanding, acceptance and affirmation of the originality of cultures and respect for the moral heritage of different people. These spiritual values of tourism are also significant for world peace and human understanding. Tourism now has a great promise to become the world's first peace industry, an industry which recognizes, promotes and supports the belief that every traveller is potentially an Ambassador for peace The Government of India has announced its first tourism policy in November 1982. It emphasized the expansion of international tourism and target of attracting 1 million foreign tourists, but this target was not achieved till 1990 and it remains a milestone in the development of tourism in India. In 1992, the National Action Plan (NAP) for tourism development was formulated by the Government of India. The NAP took ten years long period for the Government to feel that there is a need for possible improvement for tourism development over the tourism policy of 1982. NAP aimed at doubling India's share of the international tourism market from 0.5 to 1 per cent by increasing the hotel capacity to 80,000 rooms in the classified accommodation sector. It also encourages private investment in tourism. Between these two policy and plan statements, various legislative and executive measures were brought about. In particular, the report of the National Committee on Tourism, submitted in 1988. In 2002, A National Tourism Policy has been announced by the Government which aims to place India on the world tourism map as a global brand having large untapped potential as a destination keeping pace with the growing travel and trade. This poHcy also recognized the role of Central and State Governments, public sector undertakings and the private sector in the development of tourism in the country. The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) in its National Tourism Policy, 2002 urges members of the industry and trade to voluntarily formulate their own codes as working principles in tourism. Ministry of Tourism (MoT) must hold interactive session with other industry player for the setting up . eco friendly infrastructure in India for the growth and development of tourism for a world-class infrastructure for the tourists from all over the world. Rajasthan is one of the few states in India which offers manifold attraction to tourists. It is visited each year by millions of tourists, scholar and pilgrims from all over the world. The important cities of Rajasthan which have the tourist's interest are : Jaipur- the pink city, Udaipur - the city of lakes or the Kashmir of Rajasthan, Jodhpur - the city of whiteness, Bikaner - the yellow city, Jaisalmer - the golden city and Mount Abu - a hill station with the sunset point world famous and internationally known. The unique typography, the glorious past, rich history, and folk life in the state has created a special attraction to the tourists from the country and abroad. Rajasthan has a great potential of tourism due to its unique cultural and historical background. Tourism, being unique in its character as tourist belongs to different regions, different countries with different socio- economic patterns therefore their needs, perceptions are different and vary in different degree. In order to satisfy the tourists psyche the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan and other private hotel chains have promoted Rajasthan as one of the unique tourist destinations by aggressively marketing at national and international level. Development of desert destinations, wildlife sanctuaries, Old monuments, forts, fairs and festivals are some of the attractions as far as Rajasthan tourism is concerned. These tourist products are unique in its nature and can be exploited nationally and internationally to increase the tourist traffic. All tourist products must have a distinct image. Thus, Rajasthan needs well- developed infrastructure coupled with proper marketing strategy for the promotion of tourism in the state. As tourism is service oriented industry, human resource is very vital for its growth and development. The role of local manpower becomes essentials for its growth. This is the reason for every state having its own tourism corporation for the development of tourism. Rajasthan too has set up Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) for the growth and development of tourism. Rajasthan is one of the states where one can experience all types of climatic condition like cool weather in the hill station of Mount Abu and very hot weather in Jaisalmer. One can also enjoy wild life beauty in national park like Ranthambhore and Sariska. Rajasthani folk dance and culture is also one of the major attractions for the tourists. All this variety has added new dimension to tourism in Rajasthan and has been major source of tourist attraction. To tap the potential of tourism in Rajasthan, RTDC carries out various promotional activities and other marketing strategies to augment the share of tourism. The present study is undertaken by the researcher to find out the role of RTDC in the promotion of tourism in Rajasthan. The efforts so far made by RTDC in this context like making suitable arrangements of accommodation, transportation, and providing such other prime facilities to the tourists. It is also involved in publicity of tourism in Rajasthan for this it carries out various promotional activities in various parts of the country and abroad. RTDC has convenient booking offices all over the country and it offers bookings through its wide network of agents throughout the world. RTDC promotes tourism by the means of Internet. Everybody can get information related to Rajasthan tourism through the website www.rajasthantourism.gov.in and information related to RTDC's functions are available on this website. Corporation is also having a new website especially for the RTDC on which main tourism related activity are available on www.rtdc.in To enhance the experience of the tourists, the corporation also organizes package tours, fairs, festivals, entertainment and shopping facility for domestic and foreign tourists. Keeping in view the vast increase in tourist traffic, the corporation has planned and commissioned new units at different places in Rajasthan. The work of expansion in different existing unit is also undertaken and it is executed effectively and efficiently. Therefore the present study is an attempt to find out the role of RTDC in the development of tourism industry in Rajasthan.