Emerging Tourism Destinations

Emerging conceptsEco-TourismRural TourismWine TourismAdventure tourismSustainable tourismResponsible tourismIndigenous TourismHeritage tourism

Monsoon tourismAgri TourismSpice tourismLegacy tourismBackwater tourismAyurvedic tourismMedical tourismCircuit tourism

Eco-TourismConservational international states, Eco-Tourism is responsible travel that promotes conservation of nature and sustain the well-being of local peopleInternational Eco tourism Society defines Eco- tourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people

Concept of Eco-tourismEcotourism is a new concept in tourism. It is a purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural history of environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people. In short, ecotourism can be conceptualised as Any tourism programme that is(a) nature based, (b) ecologically sustainable, (c) where education and interpretation is a major component and (d) where local people are benefitedIf it does not satisfy any one of these components then it cannot be called a real ecotourism venture.

Principles Minimize negative impactsBuild environmental and cultural awareness and respectProvide positive experiences for both visitors and hostsProvide direst financial benefits for conservationProvide financial benefits and employment for local peopleRaise sensitivity to host countrys political, environmental, and social climate Historical, biological and cultural conservation, preservation, sustainable development

Benefits and importanceProvides job and income for local peopleMakes possible funds for purchasing and improving protected and natural areas to attract more eco tourist in futureProvides environmental education for visitorsEncourages heritage and environmental preservation

Do's and Don'ts of eco-tourismDos

Carry back all non-degradable litter such as empty bottles, tins, plastic bags etc. They must be disposed in municipal dustbins only. Observe the sanctity of holy sites, temples and local cultures. Cut noise pollution. Do not blare aloud radios, tape recorders or other electronic equipment in nature resorts, sanctuaries and wildlife parks. Respect people's privacy while taking photographs. Ask for prior permission before taking a photograph

Donts Do not take away flora and fauna in the forms of cuttings, seeds or roots.. Do not use pollutants such as detergent, in streams or springs while washing and bathing. Do not use wood as fuel to cook food at the campsite. Do not leave cigarettes butts or make open fires in the forests. Do not consume aerated drinks, alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicant and throw bottles in the wild. Do not tempt the locals, especially children by offering them foodstuff or sweets. Respect local traditions Polythene and plastics are non biodegradable and unhealthy for the environment and must not be used and littered

Thenmala, Kerala First planned ecotourism destination (Thenmala Ecotourism Project) has been formulated in and around Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary with the co-operation of departments such as Forest, Irrigation and Tourism. In order to give flexibility in management for the development of this destination, a separate Society, the Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) has been constituted."Thenmala Ecotourism" has been conceived as a first planned ecotourism destination in India and the initial stages of implementation is completed. The major objectives of this project are To develop Thenmala dam and its surroundings as a major tourist destination. To promote Ecotourism on the basis of sound principles of ecological sustainability in the surrounding areas of Thenmala. To have a well planned tourism destination with emphasis on sustainable tourism development so as to become a model for other destination development programmes.

ThenmalaLocated about 72kms from Thiruvananthapuram, Thenmala : "Then + Mala" , "Then" means honey and "Mala" means hillock i.e. it mean honey hills. The honey collected from Thenmala forest region is of good quality and of high medicinal value because of the unique floristic composition of the forests.

The planTourism Facilitation Center Well-conceived information center explaining The wide range of Tourism products available at Thenmala. Shop Courts - Run by Local Women Self Help Groups. Toilet facilities Well informed staff to provide personal attention. Functions from 09.00 am to 7.30 pm on all days.

Leisure ZoneMusical Dancing FountainSculpture garden

Adventure zone

The activities in this zone favours adventure tourism. The attractions in this area are the Elevated Walkway, The Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, River Crossing, Nature Trails, Resting Spots, Lotus Pond, etc. The nature trail winding through various areas of the zone attracts a large number of nature tourists.

Other attractions

DEER REHABILITATION CENTER Established to give protection to deer that are strayed out from forests. Deers protected - Spotted deer, Sambar deer, Barking deer Tree top huts for family day spending, Children's eco-park Short Riverside trek

PALARUVI FALLS16 km from Thenmala towards Shenkotah 300 ft height Amidst evergreen forests Managed by local people

Coorg

Location : Western Ghats, Karnataka, Southern India. Time to Visit : Between September and March, Weather : Coorg experiences moderate climate with pleasant winters, warm summers and heavy monsoon. Known For : Scenic Beauty. The most important of all attractions is Nagarhole National Park which is a treasure trove of exquisite wildlife of Coorg. A number of rivers like Cauvery, originate from this place making river rafting and white water adventure more joyous. Madikere is the well known hill station in Coorg Abbey Falls

Himalaya

Location : Stretches from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast India. Time to Visit : Any time of the year, depending on the place Weather : From freezing cold to desert hot.Indian States Covered : Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal PradeshThe Himalayan Wildlife Corbett National Park, Uttaranchal; The Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh; Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh; The Himalayan Rivers Major Himalayan Rivers are - Indus, Sutlej, Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra The Himalayan Hill Stations Gulmarg & Sonamarg, Srinagar, Ladakh, Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Dharamsala, Dalhousie, Sarahan, Nainital, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Gangtok, Darjeeling, Kailash Mansarovar

Kerala

Location : Kerala is a south Indian state, located in the extreme southern tip of India. Time to Visit : Any Time of the year. Weather : Salubrious and Pleasant. Known For : The Rich Biological ResourcesKerala Wildlife Resources Settled in the luxuriant forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala are some of the finest Wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks. Each one home to rare animals, birds, reptiles, insects and plants Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar National Park, Silent Valley National Park. Kerala Backwaters Cochin, Alappey, KumarkomKerala Beaches Alappuzha Beach, Kovalam Beach, Pthiramanal Beach, Sankhumugham Beach, Thirumullavaram Beach and Varkala Beach Kerala. Kerala Hill Stations Munnar, Wayanad, Nelliyampathi

RURAL TOURISMGEOGRAPHICAL DEFINITION A multi faceted activity that takes place in the environment outside heavily urbanized areasPRODUCT RELATED DEFINITION- Tourism which promotes rural attractions, rural adventure tours, nature based tours, eco-tours, rural resorts, and rural festivals and eventsTOURIST EXPERIENCE RELATED DEFINITION- Tourism which offers the tourist the experience of society and heritage, primary and secondary production open space and contact with nature

Concepts of rural tourismSustain and create local incomes, employment and growthContribute to the costs of providing economic and social infrastructureEncourage the development of other industrial sectorsContribute to local resident amenities and servicesContribute to the conservation of environmental and cultural resources

The objectivesShowcase rural life, art, culture and heritage at rural locations and in villagesArt & craft, handloom, and textilesT benefit the local community economically and To enable interaction between tourists and local population for a mutually enriching experienceVillage Hodka, Kachchh, Gujarat Village Naggar, Himachal PradeshKancheepuram, TamilnaduKumbalangi, Kerala

Tribal tours in north east India Agricultural tourism in Baramati, Pune Guided walking tours in the Himalayas Cultural experiences in the Thar desert Plantation tours, Munnar

Golf TourismIndia happened to be the second country in the world to play Golf, preceding the United Kingdom. The British gifted India both Cricket and Golf. The sport of Golf grew amidst the lush green farms, the soothing landscape and the fervour for the game make many a men move.Most of the Golf courses that have been developed in India are surrounded by natural beauty

Golf centers Delhi Golf ClubThe Chandigarh Golf ClubThe Shimla Golf ClubThe Calcutta Golf ClubThe Gymkhana Club Golf Course in Gindy, Chennai (Madras) The Gymkhana Club in Ootacamund (Ooty)Presidency Golf Club, MumbaiKarnataka is going to launch 'golf tourism' circuit Bangalore, Mysore, Belgaum, Chikmagalur and Madikeri

Golf destinationsNORTHGulmarg, Srinagar, Shimla, Chandigargh, Agra, Delhi, JaipurWESTMumbai, PuneSOUTHChennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kodaikanal, OotyEASTKolkatta

Wine TourismIn wine tourism one can take a walk through beautiful vineyardswitness to the wine making process, taste wineThey can buy wine also on the spotSula Vineyards ,Nasik Grover Vineyards ,Bangalore Tiger Hill Vineyards located on the Mumbai-Nasik highway

Wine tourismWine tourism is all about tasting, consumption or purchase of wine either from the source or from near the source. This form of tourism may comprise visits to vineyards, wineries and restaurants that offer distinct vintages. It may also include visit to wine festivals or any such related events. There are several wine regions across the globe which has found it profitable to promote wine tourism. Indian Government has finally discovered the wine hungry market that's growing at a fast pace, and is trying to catch up with the front runners of the industry in a quest to promote wine tourism.

Cont.India is bringing more and more of its fertile lands under grape cultivation. Currently more that 50,000 hectares of land in India are used for growing grapes. Pune, Nasik, Bangalore, Nandhi valley, Belgaon, Bijapur are amongst the famous wine destinations of India. The focus of Indian Government lies on planning the wine yards of Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and KarnatakaHotels, guest houses, restaurants and spas are coming up in Nasik and Bangalore to give wine related spa treatments, like champagne showers, to attract tourist footfalls. TSteps are also being taken to educate students and hospitality professionals on wine processing and wine tasting. Along with that technical assistance and know how to the farmers is being given, to get best quality products..

Wine destinationsMaharashtra Maharashtra, in western India, is the largest producer of wine in India with a production 10 million liters of wine every year. Nasik, Pune and Sangli are the cities that are largely involved in grape cultivation. Napa Valley in Nasik boasts of being specialized in this industry with international alliances and technical know how. Its climate is said to be similar to that of South France and its temperature and humidity are considered ideal for grape cultivation. The largest wine producing companies in Nasik are Sula and Indage. Tiger Hills Resort in Nasik is the first wine resort and spa in India. The USP of the resort is its spa that offers unique vino therapies including champagne showers and baths using grape seed oils and extracts. There are more such luxury wine resort projects in the pipeline in Pune, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. Apart from the resorts, wine bars are also a point of attraction in Nasik.

KarnatakaKarnataka is the second largest producer of wine in the country, producing 1.8 million liters of wine every year. Around 600 acres of its land is used for grape cultivation. Chikkaballapur, Bagalkot, Belgaon and Bijapur cities of Karnataka have tasted the scope of this industry and are extensively involved in wine production. Karnataka Wine Board organises wine festival here, to boost wine tourism in the state. During this festival, wine connoisseurs from all over the world can taste the Indian wine and attend seminars and conferences on wine production

Camping tourismWildlifeThis category of camp sites includes areas near (but outside) National Parks, Sanctuaries and Bio-Sphere Reserves Adventure(a) Land: Campsites on/ near trekking routes & hiking trails, camps in remote areas (b) Water: Rafting beach camps along rivers, camps for sea kayaking along the ocean /along water bodies and backwaters, camps near water bodies for promotion of water touring, water sports and tourism activities such as kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, parasailing using motorboats etc.(c) Air: Camps in the mountains for promoting paragliding, parasailing, hot air ballooning

The Himalayan mountain ranges Chitrauli, near Nainital (Uttaranchal) is a popular base camp for trekking expedition in jungles Corbett National Park provides Tiger camping. Himachal: Sarchu in Lahaul, Sangla and Kalpa in Kinnaur and at Kaza in Spiti, Dharamsala ,Dalhousie (Chamba) and camps at Kullu-Manali are popular vacation hubs. Camps at Hatu (Shimla) at a height of 10500 ft, makes you want to touch the sky. Gujarats Gir has lion safari camps. safari in Rajasthan is another ideal place for a wildlife camping.

Ranthambore National Park has camping at Dev Villas, with the Aravalli backdrop Rajasthan also has desert camping at Jaisalmer Sam sand dunesRann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuarys has a choice of adventurous camping haunts. The beach camps at Kutch and Goa Karnatakas Cauvery Fishing Camp, Kabini River Lodge Camps, Kali Wilderness Camp,

Medical Tourism

People from countries like Europe, Middle East, Greek and Egypt have been travelling to hot springs, baths and remote retreats during 18th and 19th century to cure ailments. Medical tourism is a term where people travel to other countries to obtain medical, dental, and surgical care, while at the same time, they can enjoy a vacation and enjoy the tourist attractions of the countries. It has become a common form of vacationing, and covers a broad spectrum of medical services.Medical tourism is a growing sector in India.Advantages for medical tourists include reduced costs, the availability of latest medical technologies and a growing compliance on international quality standards,Alternative medicine, bone-marrow transplant, cardiac bypass, eye surgery and hip replacement, heart surgery

Previously medical tourism was dominated by cosmetic and dental procedures. Knee replacements to major heart surgery can be obtained in developing countries where internationally accredited health centers provide high-quality treatment with lower costs and shorter waiting periods. Emerging medical tourism destinations:India, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Thailand, and Malaysia etc.India has the golden opportunity to emerge as a leader in Medical Tourismand has developed, efficient and safe health services, and also has major tourist attractions, some of which are world renowned.

India Hospital Packages All India Institute of Medical Science - Apollo Hospital - B.M.Birla Heart Research Centre - Christian Medical College Vellore - Tata Memorial Hospital - Apollo Cancer Hospital Chennai - Indraprastha Medical Corporation - Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases

MICEMICE : Meetings,Incentives, Conventions and ExhibitionsBusiness-oriented segment,Incentives part of MICE is usually provided to employees /dealers/distributors as a reward, it tends to be leisure based.30% of Singaporestourism revenue is from MICE Malaysia is specifically targeting the MICE marketWorldwide, at least 50 million trips are taken each year for MICE purposes.Indian Convention & Promotion Bureau (ICPB), focused on Conference, Meetings and Incentive industry of India, is also promoting India as an emerging MICE destination.

Main Source MarketsEurope North America. significant growth from Brazil, Russia, India Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Noida, Agra

Indian inbound MICE segment is growing at 15 to 20% annually. The Infrastructure - India provides an impressive combination of accommodation and other conference support facilities to hold a successful Conference. Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in MumbaiBM Birla Science and Technology Centre in JaipurThe Jaypee Hotels & International Convention Centre, Agra Cochin Convention Centre, Kochi etc International convention centre, Hyderabad

Criteria To Be A MICE Destinationvery good infrastructure such as big Convention Centres, Conferences and Banquet Halls, Exhibition Centres, Auditoriums and stadiums for hosting opening/ closing ceremonies and other events. Good number of 5-star and 4-star hotels for accommodationRestaurants, bars, recreational activities like Golf course, Yoga and Ayurveda centre, Discotheque, Health club with spa facilities Accessibility in terms of domestic and international flights, so that the people who comes to India for business purpose, could perform their job while enjoying pleasure.

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