Cultural Heritage and Tourism in India

Contents: Preface. 1. Introducing tours, tourists and tourism. 2. Cultural heritage and tourism. 3. History and heritage tourism. 4. Architecture and art forms. 5. Pilgrimages, festivals and fairs. 6. Craft traditions and food culture. 7. Tourism impacts and sustainable tourism. An overview. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

The book seeks to explore the rich and vast treasure of India’s cultural heritage since ancient times and its significance in present-day tourism. The study of exceptional cultural richness and diversity of the land presents a kaleidoscopic view of our dynamic past. Traditional values and knowledge systems rooted in our culture and heritage through the ages have helped us maintain the strong community bonds connecting people and regions across the subcontinent and even beyond. The increasing global mobility has resulted in the rise of several kinds of tourism based on the purpose of travel and the interests of tourists. This academic exercise highlights the significance of cultural heritage as a major source of attraction for the visitors that fosters the growth of tourism. It further focuses on the measures for sustainable tourism and the roles played by government and private organisations in conservation, preservation and protection of heritage. As the impacts of global tourism are felt in all spheres of life, adequate care should be taken while planning for tourism activities at destinations in order to maintain a healthy guest host relationship. The work, therefore, connects history to tourism for the sustainable development of tourism sector. This would further serve as a stimulator to the readers by encouraging interdisciplinary approach in learning and research environment from the perspective of tourism development.