India Tourism Finds Strength in Rich Art Forms and Cultural Heritage

India Tourism Finds Strength in Rich Art Forms and Cultural Heritage

India is not perfect. But that does not deter a tourist to enjoy his or her vacations in the ancient land known for most interesting historical spectacles; spiritual heights; rich and varied culture; frequent use of vibrant colors in almost everything – from attires to elaborate dance costumes to paintings and frescoes; varied landscapes with climatic contrasts, rich wildlife and lush vegetation; and aromatic spices known for their flavor. Beauty is not a thing that exists in isolation. All regions and parts of India might not be very hygienic or organized but it is its imperfections that makes the country all the more endearing to all those who visit it with an open heart.

The co-existence of the wonderful and the abject presents you the true image of life – ornate Hindu Temples with mighty Shikhars, intricate carvings, huge candle holders, and deities that have much religious significance with not quite well-managed crowds might lead you to wait for hours to see the grandeur of the shrine until you have an expert guide with you who knows all the short-cuts to facilitate your pilgrimage trip. The luxurious royal forts and palaces on the outskirts of major cities, famous as tourist attractions, might have small vendors and poor artisans around selling most beautiful wares at very affordable prices and still living in dire poverty.

Foreign tourists affirm that real strengths of India lies its rich art forms and cultural heritage. The Ghoomer and Kalbeliya dance performances on the bonfire nights at Sam Sand Dunes with a backdrop of the Golden Fort of Jaisalmer during the Desert Safari Tour is tantalizing. The Camel Fair at Pushkar in Rajasthan, the Dussehra at Mysore Palace in Karnataka, and the Rath Yatra at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa are some of the fairs and festivals that attract international tourists with their unique oriental spectacles that are exclusive to the region where they are held.

Theme and region based tour packages allow international tourists to spend their holidays just as they want them to be. Palace On Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Royal Orient, and Fairy Queen are luxury trains offering top-end tour packages that cover some of the most popular tourist attractions and sites. They also offer choicest luxuries and world-class services along the way to recreate the royal past of the regions they target. Golden Triangle tourist circuit in North India links major historical sites of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur that are world-renowned and include Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Hawa Mahal. The famous Khajuraho Temples represents maverick side of Hinduism while Kerala Backwaters is an ultimate Nature retreat, where you can enjoy houseboat cruises and relax in idyllic Ayurveda resorts.

India is ancient and expansive – the two main factors that constitute its immense tourism potential. The full-blast tourism promotion and marketing ‘Incredible India’ campaign and other campaigns that target specific group of travelers include American and European tourists, as well as business travelers, have paved out a bright future for India tourism and hospitality industry. The focus of government on improving the infrastructure, increase security measures to ensure that tourists are safe in the country, and improve overall image of India has propelled the country to a niche position on the world tourism map.