Component-I (A) – Personal details:

Tourism in Beach Tourism in India

Prof. P. Bhaskar Reddy Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.

Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy Former Director, NITHM.

Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy & G. Mahender Reddy NITHM, Hyderabad.

Prof. P Narayana Reddy REVA University, Bangalore.

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Component-I (B) – Description of module:

Subject Name Indian Culture

Paper Name Tourism in India

Module Name/Title Beach Tourism in India

Module Id IC / TI / 30 Beaches in India, Scope, Importance of Pre requisites tourism in Beaches, popular Beaches in India To study about Beach Tourism and its scope Objectives and importance Keywords Tourism, Scope, Activities, Terminology

E-Text (Quadrant-I): Introduction: The origin of tourism in coastal areas go back to Roman times. In the centuries that followed, especially from the mid-18th century onwards, coastal and beach tourism was generally related to the therapeutic properties of sea and sun. Sun, sea and sand have continued to provide the main ingredients for coastal tourism until today. Tourism on Indian beaches lies in the many beach activities. Many tourists plan their tour carrying certain themes and purposes. Some look for adventure water sports while many follow the sightseeing and rejuvenating therapies. This chapter first discusses on the terminology, importance and activities of beach tourism and then the explains the major beach tourism destinations in India Learning outcomes This chapter provides an overview of tourism and its importance. After reading the chapter you will be able to understand  Beach, coast and a sea  Major beaches in India  Importance of Beach tourism  Major Tourism activities in beaches  Major Beach Tourism Destinations 1.0 Introduction to Beach and Coastal Tourism The origins of tourism in coastal areas go back to Roman times, when the first villas were constructed in the Southern part of the Apennine peninsula. In the centuries that followed, especially from the mid18th century onwards, coastal tourism was generally related to the therapeutic properties of sea and sun. Sun, sea and sand have continued to provide the main ingredients for coastal tourism until today, especially in the second half of the 20th century, which was marked by the development of mass tourism. Coastal tourism is based on a unique resource combination at the interface of land and sea offering amenities such as water, beaches, scenic beauty, rich terrestrial and marine biodiversity, diversified cultural and historic heritage, healthy food and good infrastructure. It includes a diversity of activities that take place in both coastal zone and coastal waters, which involve the development of tourism capacities (hotels, resorts, second homes,

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restaurants etc.) and support infrastructure (ports, marinas, fishing and diving shops and other facilities). Coastal recreation activities, which have been increasing both in volume and in number during the last decade, occupy a unique place in coastal tourism. They are mainly two types of recreational uses of coastal zones viz., consumptive and non-consumptive ones. Activities such as fishing, shell fishing and shell collection etc., belong to the first category while activities in the second include swimming, diving, boating, surfing, wind-surfing, jet skiing, bird watching, and snorkeling. Coastal tourism is strongly dependent upon natural (climate, landscape, ecosystems) and cultural (historic and cultural heritage, arts and crafts, traditions, etc.) resources. It encompasses activities that can only be carried out in particular areas and in specific conditions. Therefore, certain areas are considered to be particularly suited to specific types of tourism activities, for which they are known on a global scale. Examples include sailing in the Gulf of Mexico, surfing on the beaches of Australia and Hawaii or scuba diving in the Red Sea. Besides physical conditions, the development of tourism in coastal areas is related to socio- economic features of the receiving environment such as local community interests, health and security conditions, political factors including unpredictable crises, exchange rate fluctuations, and traditional models of tourism exploitation or, simply, a successful or less effective marketing-led depiction of a destination. Environmental conditions such as unpredictable climate conditions, algae blooms, winds and the associated risk of forest fires, tsunami, storms and floods, as well as many other constant features or unexpected events, affect tourism development in coastal areas. 1.1 Terminology Coast: land next to the ocean Shore: land along the edge of an ocean, lake - a little more accurate than coast (generally the few meters of land right next to the water) Beach: the land above the water line at a shore of a body of water, marked by an area of sand, rock or pebbles that have been brought there by the tide or waves. Usually used with the ocean. Thought of as an area to sunbathe, swim, generally have fun - rather than a strictly geographical location. Seaside: more colloquial form of the shore or the beach: the land next to the ocean (on the "side" of the "sea"). Not usually thought of as a geographical place like the shore., Like the beach, it is an area that has positive holiday-type connotations. Bank: the land next to a body of water - usually rivers, sometimes lakes, but not often the ocean. Often used in plural, example, the banks of the river or riverbanks, because it implies the slope of land leading to the water on either side. Total coast line of the world is 35, 6000 km and the coastal area covers more than 10% of the earth surface. Because of the economic benefits that accrue from access to ocean navigation, coastal fisheries, tourism, recreation and industrialization, human settlements are often more concentrated in the coastal zone than elsewhere. About 40% of the world’s population lives within 100 km of the coast. About 10% of the world’s population resides in low elevation coastal zone making their lives highly vulnerable to coastal disasters. About 35% of Indians live within 100 km of the country’s coast line measuring 7517 km. Beach tour in India provides one or the other thing to enjoy to every kind of tourist, from isolation and opportunity for introspection to action and fun. Although India's thousands of miles of coastline are understandably overshadowed by its plethora of attractions beyond the shore, resorts and bungalows have sprung up in large numbers to capitalize on the nation's

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beaches. In India one can find beaches in Andaman & Nicobar, , Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, , Andhra Pradesh, and . 2.0 Beach tourism Activities Tourists can experience a wide variety of tourism activities during the tour in beaches based on the type of beach and their rules and regulations. Water sports and other beach activities are a great way to enjoy the beauty of beaches in India and to discover the recreation and enjoyment on Indian beaches. Major activities in Indian beaches are boating, fishing, surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing or any water sports. There are areas with crystal blue waters that provide the perfect playground to do so. Apart from sports and recreation activities many Indian beaches provide wide variety of food, shopping, recreation, spa, ayurvedic and other alternative wellness facilities to the tourists. 3.0 Major Beaches in India 3.1 Beaches In Andaman & Nicobar Islands : Corbyn's Cove and Chirya Tapu Beach, Radhnagar Beach, Harminder Bay Beach, Karmatang Beach and Ramnagar Beach 3.2 Beaches in Gujarat Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach, Beyt Dwarka, Diu Beach, Somnath & Veraval Beach, Chorwad, Madhavpur Beach and Gopnath Beach Chorwad Beach: Chorwad beach is situated at a distance of 66 kilometers from Junagadh. A palace constructed by Nawab Saheb Mohabbat Khan, the regional governor, is situated at Chorwad beach. It attracts both domestic and international tourists. Chorwad is famous for rocky shores and boat riding. Nearby places to visit are Porbandar, Somnath etc. 3.3 Dwaraka Beach: Dwaraka beach is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula. It is an important Hindu pilgrim site. It also has a small island which is covered with temples, a white beach, coral reefs and extensive marine life. The lighthouse at the Dwarka point on the Dwarka peninsula provides the tourist with a panoramic view of the city. 3.4 Beaches in Maharashtra Maharashtra's 720 km long coast with the Arabian Sea extends from Dahanu and Bordi in the north up to Goa proceeding southwards. It is popular for sand, sea and surf. This state has a great many interesting options in store. All these places are well connected by state buses. The coastal climate of Maharashtra makes travelling pleasant all round the year. Seas are rough only during the monsoon which strikes between June and September. The state has many lovely beaches like Juhu Beach, Arangal Beach, Marve Beach, Madh Island Beach, Manori Beach, Gorai Beach Arnala Beach, Bordi Beach, Alibag Beach, Kihim Beach and Murud-Janjira Beach etc. With a plethora of beaches, Maharashtra provides a coastline for exciting water sports, sun bathing on golden sands, exploring grand fortresses, temples and churches and discovering tiny and remote villages. Juhu Beach: Located 18 kilometers north from the city centre on the shores of the Arabian Sea, Juhu beach is a famous tourist attraction throughout the year. It is the most popular beach in Mumbai and most visited one too. Juhu beach is a favourite location for film shootings and it is a perfect place to enjoy the sunset. Tarkali Beach: Tarkarli beach is a famous tourist destination located in Sindhurg district in the state of Maharashtra. This beach rose to a popular tourism destination because of its crystal clear water and water sports. Tourists can spot dolphins in the sea here. Tourists can enjoy water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, white water rafting and water rides.

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3.5 Beaches in Goa These are many beaches in Goa like ., Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Dona Paula, Calangute Beach, Benaulim Beach, Cavelosim Beach, Chapora Beach, Condolim Beach, Bogmolo Beach, Miramar Beach, Pololem Beach, Vagator Beach and Varca Beach Baga Beach: Baga beach is a famous tourist destination and popular in North Goa. Baga Beach is also famous for water sports like parasailing, banana boat ride and dolphin cruises. One can spot dolphins at about 1 -2 kilometers from the shoreline. Calangute Beach: Known as “Queen of Beaches”, Calangute beach is a popular tourist destination in North Goa. It is located at 15 kilometers north of the Panaji, the capital city of Goa. This beach is an example of true Goan beach culture. The beach also provides excellent shopping opportunities. And it is a great place for trying seafood, especially fried prawns and fish. 3.6 Beaches in Karnataka The long court line beautiful beaches like Bhatkal , Karwar Beach, Malpe Beach, Maravanthe Beach, Murudeshwar Beach Murudeshwar Beach: Murudeshwar beach is located in the Bhatkal of Uttarakannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The beach is situated between Honnavar and Bhatkal. Blue water and scenic mountain make this beach a favourite tourist spot. Murudeshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is the main attraction in the beach. Maple Beach: Maple beach is a popular beach located at 6 kilometres west of Uduppi. There are our rocky islands close to mainland Maple beach town. They are Daria-Bahadurgad, Kari-Illada-Kallu, Daria-Gadara-Kalluthe and St. Mary’s Island. It is the largest port in Karnataka. 3.7 Kerala known as the God’s own country has many beaches which includes Beach, Beypore Beach, , Ezhimala Beach, , Beach, Beach, Beach in Kerala, , Moppila Bay, Beach, Beach, Payyambalam Beach, Sankhumugham Beach, Tanur Beach, Thangassery Beach, Beach and Beach. Kovalam Beach: Kovalam beach is a famous tourist destination located at a distance of 16 kilometres from the city. The long coastline of Kovalam is seperated into three beaches by the rocky outcroppings. Light House beach, Hawah Beach and Samudra Beach together form the entire Kovalam Beach. The beach is famous for large number of resorts present along the coastline and also for ayurvedic salons. Bekkal Beach: Bekkal Beach is located in Kasargod, the northern most district in Kerala. Other than the shallow beach, the destination is famous for Bekkal Fort. Bekkal Fort is the largest and best preserved fort in the whole of Kerala. Fort Cochin Beach: Fort Cochin beach located at Old Kochi, is a famous tourist destination visited by both domestic and international tourists. The main attraction here is the Chinese nets used for fishing and the several bungalows of colonial times along the coastline. 3.8 Beaches in Tamil Nadu Among the beaches of Tamilnadu Marina Beach in Chennai, Mahabalipuram Beach, Rameshwaram Beach, Kanyakumari Beach, and Covelong Beach. Kanyakumari Beach: Kanyakumari beach is the southernmost tip of the peninsular India. One can enjoy both the sunset and sunrise in this beach. The main attractions near the Kanyakumari beach are Thiruvalluvar Statue, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Gandhi Memorial, Tsunami Memorial Park etc.

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Marina Beach: Marina beach is the original beach in the country. The sandy beach is world’s second longest. There are several statues along the beach which contributes to the beauty of the beach. It is a famous tourist destination in Chennai. 3.9 Beaches in Andhra Pradesh Right from the Baruva till Tada, Andhra Pradesh has as many as 26 beaches among which Bheemunipatnam Beach, Ramakrishna Beach, Manginapudi Beach, Mypad Beach, Rishikonda Beach, Vodarevu Beach and Suryalanka Beach are tourist friendly. Rama Krishna Mission Beach: Rama Krishna Mission beach is a famous beach located at Visakhapatam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The tourists to this beach engage in activities such as swimming, sunbathing and playing volleyball. The main attractions in this beach are INS Kursura Submarine Museum, the Kali temple, Visakha Museum and the number of restaurants which offer seafood. Mypadu Beach: Mypadu beach is a famous tourist destination located at 25 kilometres away from Nellore city. Tourists can enjoy cruise rides here. In near future, Mypadu beach is going to provide the tourists with water sports and other activities. 3.10 Beaches in Odisha Odisha also pffers prestine beaches for Turists Balighai Beach, Chandipur Beach, Gopalpur on Sea, Beach, Paradeep Beach and Beach; attract large number of Tourists on a regular beach. Gopalpur: It is one of the most pristine beaches in Odisha and is located at 16 km from Berhampur. The pleasures of the blue beach and the blue bay of backwaters attract tourists and water lovers from all over the world. The beach is 180 km from the Bhubeneswar Airport and there are good sea side resorts and luxury hotels where one can look for their accommodation . Konark Beach: Konark Beach is located at 3 kilometers away from the Konark Sun Temple. Konark beach is one of the finest beaches and the presence of Konark Sun Temple contributes to the overall charm of the destination. Another attraction here is the Ramchandi temple located at 10 Kilometers away from the beach. Chandipur Beach: Chandipur is located at 16 kilometers away from Balasore. The beach is famous as water here recedes away from the shore line about five km twice a day during the tides. Other tourist places to visit are Remuna, Panchalingeswar, Aradi and Chandaneswar. 3.11 Beaches in West Bengal A very few beaches are available at West Bengal among which Digha and Mander Mani Beaches are attracted Digha Beach: Digha Beah is located 180 kilometers away from Kolkata. It is the most visited and most crowded beach in the state of West Bengal. The biggest attraction here is the beautiful sea which changes with the tides. Mandarmani Beach: Mandarmani beach is located at East Midnapore district of West Bengal and is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the state. Different water sports can be enjoyed in this beach. Mandarmani beach is a favourite honeymoon destination because of the peaceful atmosphere. Please ass Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadeep Rearrange the order- Gujarath, Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh., Tamilnadu or Pondicherry. 4.0 Summary Beach tourism has started during the Roman times, especially from the mid18th century onwards. Sun, sea and sand have continued to provide the main ingredients for coastal tourism in India and Indian government has identified it as niche tourism. Coastal tourism is based on a unique resource combination at the interface of land and sea offering amenities

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such as water, beaches, scenic beauty, diversified cultural and historic heritage, healthy food and good infrastructure. India is blessed with these wide varieties and provides coastal recreation, adventure activities, shopping and wellness activities, which have been increasing both in volume and in number during the last decade. These occupy a unique place in Indian beach tourism.

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