PACKAGE TOURISM TRENDS IN INDIAN TOURISM MARKETING

INTRODUCTION:

Tourism is what tourists and agencies involved in meeting the needs of tourists do. Tourism is therefore a composite of activities of tourists and that of those who cater to the needs of tourists.

COMPONENTS OF TOURISM:

1. Tourist attractions.

2. Accommodation

3. Transport

1. Tourist attractions.

The first and foremost of tourism components is the tourist attractions. A place could become a tourist destination only if it has some attractions backed by an ‘image’ in the minds of the prospective tourists and has necessary supporting facilities. Tourist attractions could be of various nature and types. These may be ‘beautiful or ugly, pleasant or unpleasant, aesthetic or otherwise, socially acceptable or unacceptable.

2. Accommodation

The second important component of tourism is the accommodation. Accommodation is a ‘home away from home’. These successes of tourism industry depend to a great extent on the availability and quality of accommodation facilities. Accommodation facilities are the places where the tourists cease to be travelers and become guests. And the level of guests satisfaction.

3. Transport

The third important component of tourism is transport. Transport is about being elsewhere and a major component of any tourist activity must necessarily be an element of transportation. Tourism is traveling for pleasure and for relaxation and so the actual travel must be made very comfortable and congenial.

TYPES OF TOURISM:

1. Foreign tourism

If the places visited situate outside the territorial limits of the nation of the tourist, there occurs international or foreign tourism and the tourist called foreign tourist.

2. Domestic tourism

If the movements of the tourists are restricted to places situate in their nation, domestic tourism occurs and the tourists are called as domestic tourists.

3. Group tourism

If tourists travel in a group, group tourism occurs. Group tourists generally pre-arrange for a tourism package including the places visit, transport, accommodation etc.

4. Individual tourism

When one is in a group, one has to sacrifice comforts, convenience and needs. To avoid this, one may chart out one’s own travel plan, places, times etc. and undertake the tour. This is called as individual tourism.

5. Picnic tourism

A short, less than a day long, visit to a plural number of tourist destinations and return is called excursion tourism.

6. Package Tourism and etc.

PACKAGE TOURISM:

It is a type of tourism where the itineraries, facilities etc. are standardizes and offered as ‘package’ at a fixed price intending tourists. There are all-inclusive, transport and accommodation only inclusive of and other types of inclusive package tourism. Package tours are convenient for both group and single tourists. They are designed and operated by professional’s travel agencies/tour operators.

HOW TO ORGANISE PACKAGE TOURISM:



COMPONENTS OF PACKAGE TOURISM:

1. Tickets

2. Hotel reservations

3. Rental cars

4. Dining reservations

5. Entertainment Reservations

6. Resort reservations

MODES OF TRANSPORT USED BY PACKAGE TOURISM

1. Railways

2. Buses and coaches

1. RAILWAYS.

Railways play and important role in tourist transportation within the country. In fact “the railways have been largely responsible for the development of tourism within the country, by providing a fast, economical and comfortable mode of transport”. Both domestic and foreign tourists prefer railways on consideration of cost, comforts and flexibility. So there is added responsibility on the part of the railways to adopt as many promotional programs as possible. Some of the schemes introduced by the railways.

RAILWAYS PACKAGE TOURISM SCHEMES:

Indian railways low cost and best way of tourism. IRCTC (Indian railways catering and tourism corporation) as conducted many package tourism schemes.

1. Bharath Darshan

2. Hills package tourism

3. Steam express

1. BHARATH DARSHAN:

Bharath Darshasn is one of the main package tour conducted by Indian Railways.

The first bharath Darshan tour start on 13.05.2005. The tour traveled 16 days with 488 tourist. Places covered Kasi, Gaya, Haridwar, Alhabad, Manali Delhi and Agra.

At present there are 124 tours conducted,50,165 tourist traveled and 1381 days.

2. HILLS PACKAGE TOURS

1. Dargeeling Toy train Joy ride morning.

The famous Joy Ride on Toy ride over DHR(Darjeeling Himalayan Railway) can be enjoyed from Darjeeeling to Ghum and Back the fare also includes free entry to DHR museum at Ghum Station. And when you reach home you will have certificates validating your journey on Toy Train ride over DHR, we do not want the memories to faint out……….



2. D.H.R Heritage Toy train Safari.

Rungtong Station is second station on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Narrow Guage route for toy train and is located amidst the green tall trees of Mahanadi Reserve Forest at an altitude of 1,404 ft. Safari is most ideal for holiday makers and nature lovers. Snacks on a heritage train lunch in park in natural surrounding of lush green jingle is truly a life time experience. Come on don’t miss it.

3. STEAM EXPRESS:

The train is hauled by a WL class locomotive No, 15005, Sher-E-Punjab.

Places covered Delhi-Alwar- Sariska – Alwar-Delhi

The train will stop for 10 minutes each at Garhi Harasuru,Patudi Road, Rewari,Ajarka and Kharithal railway stations in both directions for water & other requirements of the locomotive.

2. ROADWAYS

Roadways are of paramount importance for mobility of tourists to and from contiguous tourist centers. “Road transport normally complements the services of other modes. To take the tourists to and from airports, seaports or railways stations.

TTDC

Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation is a very well roadways tours conductors in and around south India

TTDC’S PACKAGE TOURS SCHEMES:

1. Sight Seeing

2. Inter State

3. Train Tours

4. Pilgrimage Tours.

1. SIGHT SEEING

A. 1 DAY KANCHEEPURAM - MAMALLAPURAM TOUR

B. HOP ON HOP OFF TOUR TO MAMALLAPURAM

C. HALF DAY CHENNAI CITY TOUR

2. INTER STATE PACKAGE TOURS

A. 3 DAYS NAVAGRAHA TOURS

B. 6 DAYS SOUTH INDIA TOUR

C. 8 DAYS TAMILNADU TOUR

D. 8 DAYS EAST WEST COAST TOUR

E. 14 DAYS SUNNY SOUTH TOUR

3. TRAIN TOURS

TTDC arranges 3 days Rameswaram Tour by train on 1st and 3rd week of every month at an affordable cost which makes the tourists enjoy their trip.

4. PILGRIMAGE TOURS.

TTDC arranges Pilgrimage Tours covering the temples in and around Tamilnadu. Different packages are available at affordable cost offering wide selection for the tourists.

FINDINGS

1. Components of Tourism

2. Types of Tourism

3. Organize package tourism

4. Types of package tourism

5. Components of package tourism

6. Mode of transport used by Tourism

7. Railways Package Tours

8. TTDC’s package Tours.

SUGGESTIONS

1. To improve railway tourism by the way of added new tour

2. TTDC has added some north Indian package tours.

3. Peoples were choose package tours other than normal tours

CONCLUSION:

The state government in India are now, also busy in developing the places of tourist interest in their respective states. They are planning to bring about new schemes of effecting package tourist complexes by joining a number of oturist spots by means of rail-link and bus-service. It is hoped that package tourism in India will highly develop by the combined efforts of the Central Government and the State Government Tourism corporation

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

The provided text offers a comprehensive overview of tourism, its components, types, and a detailed look into package tourism, with a specific focus on the role of Indian Railways (IRCTC) and Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) in facilitating such tours.

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Understanding Tourism: Components, Types, and the Rise of Package Tours in India​

Tourism is defined as a composite of activities engaged in by tourists and those who cater to their needs. It is essentially about people traveling for pleasure and relaxation, and the infrastructure and services that support this travel.

Components of Tourism:​

The article identifies three fundamental components crucial for any place to be considered a tourist destination:

1. Tourist Attractions: These are the primary draw, ranging from the beautiful to the aesthetically unique, backed by an "image" in the minds of potential tourists. Supporting facilities are also necessary.
2. Accommodation: Serving as a "home away from home," the availability and quality of accommodation significantly impact guest satisfaction and the success of the tourism industry.
3. Transport: As tourism inherently involves travel, comfortable and congenial transportation is a major and indispensable component, enabling movement to and from destinations.

Types of Tourism:​

The text categorizes tourism based on various parameters:

• Foreign (International) Tourism: When tourists visit places outside their home nation.
• Domestic Tourism: When tourist movements are confined within their own country.
• Group Tourism: Tourists traveling together, often with pre-arranged "package" deals covering attractions, transport, and accommodation.
• Individual Tourism: Tourists planning their own itinerary, places, and times to avoid the compromises of group travel.
• Picnic/Excursion Tourism: Short visits (less than a day) to multiple tourist destinations with a return to the origin point.
• Package Tourism: A broad category encompassing standardized itineraries and facilities offered at a fixed price.

Package Tourism: A Detailed Look​

Package tourism involves itineraries and facilities standardized and offered as a "package" at a fixed price. These can be "all-inclusive," "transport and accommodation only inclusive," or other variations. They are convenient for both group and individual tourists and are professionally designed and operated by travel agencies or tour operators.

Components of a Package Tour:

• Tickets (for transport)
• Hotel reservations
• Rental cars
• Dining reservations
• Entertainment reservations
• Resort reservations

Modes of Transport in Package Tourism:​

The article focuses on two key modes of transport for package tours in India:

1. Railways:
   
   • Play a vital role in domestic tourism, providing a "fast, economical, and comfortable mode of transport."
   • Both domestic and foreign tourists prefer railways due to cost, comfort, and flexibility.
   • Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Package Tourism Schemes:
     • Bharat Darshan: A prominent low-cost tour that began in 2005, covering multiple destinations across India over several days.
     • Hills Package Tours: Examples include the Darjeeling Toy Train Joy Ride and DHR Heritage Toy Train Safari, offering scenic experiences.
     • Steam Express: A heritage train experience hauled by a steam locomotive, covering specific routes like Delhi-Alwar-Sariska.
2. Roadways:
   
   • Crucial for mobility to and from contiguous tourist centers, complementing other modes of transport by providing last-mile connectivity (e.g., to airports, seaports, railway stations).
   • Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) Package Tour Schemes:
     • Sightseeing: Includes one-day tours to places like Kancheepuram-Mamallapuram and half-day Chennai city tours.
     • Inter-State Tours: Multi-day tours covering regions like Navagraha, South India, Tamil Nadu, and East-West Coast.
     • Train Tours: TTDC also arranges multi-day train tours to destinations like Rameswaram.
     • Pilgrimage Tours: Various affordable packages covering temples across Tamil Nadu.

Findings and Suggestions:​

The article's "Findings" summarize the topics covered: components and types of tourism, organizing and types of package tourism, components of package tourism, modes of transport, and specific railway (IRCTC) and roadway (TTDC) package tours.

The "Suggestions" propose:

• Improving railway tourism by adding new tours.
• TTDC expanding its offerings to include North Indian package tours.
• Encouraging people to choose package tours over normal tours.

Conclusion:​

The text concludes by noting that both central and state governments in India are actively developing tourist interest places and planning new schemes to create "package tourist complexes" by linking multiple tourist spots via rail and bus services. The combined efforts of these governmental bodies are expected to significantly boost package tourism in India.