| Adventure tourism is an extremely confusing term. | | | | Tours to be affordable to foreign tourists. British |
| The definition of this term varies from person to | | | | have gone ahead and voted India as one of the top |
| person, organization to organization. However, the | | | | 10 overseas travel destinations. |
| nearest definition to what majority would agree is | | | | Tourists that come to India are mesmerized by what |
| "Outdoor activity involving the natural environment | | | | they see here. The rich contrast of culture and varied |
| where the outcome perceived by the participants is | | | | topography topped with a huge diversification in |
| unknown." | | | | weather is more than what a stranger in this land can |
| World history of Adventure Tourism | | | | handle. When he lands in a modern airport and when |
| It is difficult to trace its origin but first adventure | | | | he steps out in the streets to honking horns and |
| travelers were merchants. To brush up your | | | | crammed streets with beggars on the roads and |
| memories a bit here are a few example; Erickson | | | | even cows sharing that space, the contrast |
| discovered North America. Columbus discovered | | | | mesmerizes. And this contrast is exactly what they |
| America and Vasco Da Gama found out India. But | | | | come looking for. The colorful culture and vibrant |
| that was when modernization had not been a part of | | | | helpful people, the lands, mountains and rivers, the |
| our daily lives. | | | | religious places and thousand year old Yog tradition, |
| The adventure travel as we know it today began | | | | India goes on attracting. |
| three and held decades back when people started | | | | Major Adventure activities that you can avail here |
| exploring the Nepalian Himalayan mountain ranges. | | | | are: |
| The wanderers discovered all of this by accident. | | | | Camel Safari |
| They traveled to Bhutan, Afghanistan, Algeria Bali, Nile | | | | Thar Desert safari is one of Asia's most popular |
| and very recently the Alps. In the world people have | | | | adventure holidays. This safari also takes you through |
| been going around but in India adventure has | | | | camel treks. These include camel treks which pass |
| developed quiet recently. But the rise has been | | | | through the sand dunes of Jaisalmer. |
| steady and India is believed to be one among the | | | | Mountaineering |
| top ten destinations of the world. | | | | The Himalayan mountain ranges are the major reason |
| Present Situation | | | | why mountaineering and other related activities are |
| In India tourism is the largest service industry bringing | | | | so popular here. The mountains are perfect for rock |
| in 6.23% of the national GDP. It brings in 8.78% of | | | | climbing and rappelling. The gorges and valleys are |
| the total employment of the country. Each year | | | | challenging. People who go mountaineering also try |
| there is increase in number of tourists visiting India by | | | | jeep safaris, bike trips as well as biking trips to these |
| 5 million mark. Besides foreigners, locals alone count | | | | high altitudes. |
| up to 527 million. In US figures Indian tourism industry | | | | Elephant Safari |
| is a 100 billion dollar affair which is predicted to | | | | The large number of national parks and tiger |
| increase to 275.5 billion by next decade. All the credit | | | | reserves in India makes elephant safari the most |
| can be given The Ministry of Tourism which is the | | | | done activity in India. Be it in Jaipur in the Amber fort |
| main working institute behind promotion in India. To | | | | or seeing the tiger from behind the elephants back, |
| create interest in tourism, the ministry introduced an | | | | th experience of sitting on this giant animal is one |
| 'Incredible India' campaign. The punch line of this | | | | you can never forget. |
| campaign is 'Atithi Devo Bhava' which means guest is | | | | Scuba Diving |
| our God. | | | | The long coast line of India makes scuba diving a |
| Everything is not as rosy as it looks. India falls behind | | | | much sought after sport. The marines' life in the |
| certain countries it faces serious issues in the face of | | | | Andaman and Nicobar Island, Lakshadeep and Goa |
| inadequate number of hotel rooms. Until a year back | | | | are so rich that one can have a helluva time simple |
| India only had 25000 tourist hotel rooms. Other | | | | snorkeling. |
| reason why tourism lags behind is that getting visa to | | | | Skiing |
| the country is a complicated process. The Indian | | | | Abundant snow and mountain in the winters make |
| airports are crammed and foreigners do not take | | | | skiing a sport for all age group. Skiing in Alchi or any |
| that fact too well. But despite all of it tourism is only | | | | other cold place is a very obvious activity among |
| expected to grow in the coming years. | | | | tourists. |
| This year saw a considerable decline in International | | | | White Water Rafting in India |
| tourism everywhere across the globe. But surprisingly | | | | The rivers like Ganges, Brahmaputra, Kali and Yamuna |
| the hospitality business in India was busy and | | | | are turbulent and offer great opportunities to the |
| flourishing. This happened as a result of service tax | | | | tourists to try white water rafting. |
| exemption and ending of fringe benefit tax. This has | | | | As much there is for a person to desire, India goes |
| resulted into luxurious expansive tourist destinations | | | | on quenching the thirst of all the adventure lovers. |
| like the Kerala Backwaters or the Golden Triangle | | | | |