Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

India’s tourism is growing in leaps and bounds. While there were no major announcements in the union budget this year, as was expected by many, the business of tourism was majorly hit by the demonetization move last year. An industry still saddled with multiple layers of tax include VAT, service tax, luxury tax etc. and ranges from 20% - 30%, Indian tourism is now gaining momentum, thanks to the inbound tourism growth. 
 While the inbound tourists prioritized Rajasthan, <keyword id="6355354" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Taj-Mahal">Taj Mahal</keyword> and Delhi, we have seen many off beat places gaining popularity recently. Chetan <keyword id="140895" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Juneja">Juneja</keyword>, senior vice president of <keyword id="4307349" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamarind-global">Tamarind Global</keyword>, which organizes inbound tourism in offbeat places of India, while talking to <keyword id="824043" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Business-Insider">Business Insider</keyword> rightly observed that <keyword id="175524" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Khajuraho">Khajuraho</keyword> is a destination that is gaining good traction from tourists. 
 
 
This is happening “mainly due to its explicit sculptures which are an expression of human emotions such as love, passion and unique engineering and erotic arts,” said Juneja. 
 
 
 Located about 175 kilometres from <keyword id="55224" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jhansi">Jhansi</keyword>, this <keyword id="701639" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNESCO-World-Heritage-Sites">UNESCO World Heritage Sites</keyword> is famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures. 
 
 Most Khajuraho temples were built between 950 and 1050 by the Chandela dynasty. Historical records note that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by the 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometers. Of these, only about 25 temples have survived, spread over 6 square kilometres. Of the various surviving temples, the <keyword id="4307346" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="kandariya-mahadeva-temple">Kandariya Mahadeva Temple</keyword> is decorated with a profusion of sculptures with intricate details, symbolism and expressiveness of ancient Indian art. 
 
 In a <keyword id="274437" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Quora">Quora</keyword> post that explains the point of view of Osho, Khajuraho temples are associated with <keyword id="8378" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tantra">Tantra</keyword> sect. 
 
 “While most religious schools abhor sex and hold it as a degrading act for human soul, Tantra says that sexual energy, if channelized according to the methods mentioned in Tantric canons, can unite the tantra-practitioner with the <keyword id="377848" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Being">Supreme Being</keyword> (<keyword id="33379" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shiva">Shiva</keyword>),” reads the post. 
 
 
“Sculptures at Khajuraho are a bold and honest description of this concept. They showcase the gradual transcendence of human sexual energy. The outer walls are full of sexual allegory. Humans are depicted indulging in carnal pleasure in every variation that can be conceptualized by human brain.” 
 
 
“But when one moves inside the temple, one notices a great change. The human figurines don't even remotely seem attracted to sex, but are standing apart in deep contemplation.” 
 
 
While Khajuraho gains prominence, Juneja said, there are some major hurdles paralyzing off beat tourism in India. 
 
“Enabling the traveller to understand the location and its significance, limit on infrastructure,” are the major hurdles as of now. “This can be addressed in a positive way giving the excitement and promoting it as an experiential tour,” he said.

Here's why erotic art of Khajuraho will gain prominence this year

The budget of 2016, presented by <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword> was much of euphoria for tourism industry. The tourism ministry got 70 % hike in the budget with an allocation of Rs 1,590 crore, to focus on infrastructure development and promotion and publicity initiatives. Under <keyword id="2964753" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swadesh-Darshan">Swadesh Darshan</keyword> scheme, theme-based tourism circuits have been identified for infrastructure development across the country, while PRASAD's (national mission on pilgrimage rejuvenation and spiritual augmentation drive) objective is to augment religious and spiritual tourism in the country. 
 The spread looked delicious and the major players were too happy to believe. But on the fateful night of 8th November last year, the debacle happened. PM Modi demonetized Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes and tourism industry among many others was badly hit. While the government had the logic of digital transaction, foreign tourists coming to India inspired by ‘Atithi devo bhava’ were taken aback. November being Thanks Giving month for most people in the West became quite thankless to the foreign tourists. With too much limitations on withdrawal and exchange, an online travel portal on condition of anonymity told <keyword id="824043" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Business-Insider">Business Insider</keyword>, they experienced 15% cancelation of pre-booked trips. 
 
So does the upcoming budget look like a silver lining? 
 
Let’s hear it from the experts: 
 Chander K. Baljee, Royal Orchid <keyword id="6368036" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hotels">Hotels</keyword> told Business Insider, “I believe the tourism and hotel industry could gain tremendous support if the budget supports a lot of things. The list would include extension of e-tourist visa from 30 days to 180 days, need for multiple entry e-toursit visa instead of the existing single entry, promotion on Medical Toursim. 
 
The industry is still saddled with multiple layers of tax include VAT, service tax, luxury tax etc. and ranges from 20% - 30%. Lowering the threshold of infrastructure status for hotel projects to Rs. 25 Cr. would also do well. Some of the aspects which can be considered are: special incentives like tax-free bonds and income tax exceptions on profits used in re-investment in the tourism sector, development of tourism infrastructure at heritage site, setting up centres for adventure activities and experiential zones. More support to drive job creation in this industry will help improve the poverty alleviation in the country.” 
 
Talking about building of infrastructure, Ritesh Agarwal, Founder &amp; CEO, OYO said, “Infrastructure development is a pre-requisite to provide the much-needed impetus for the industry’s growth. Additional incentives should be provided for infrastructure investments in the travel and tourism sector to accelerate growth. A lower tax rate for hospitality business and the lower rate of interest for real-estate development will ensure opening up of more supply for the nascent branded budget hospitality sector. This will be in line with supporting small owner-friendly policies, such as the exemption of service tax in the sub-Rs. 1000 hotel room category.” 
 
Not just Indian entrepreneurs, even tourism boards of various countries are equally excited about the budget on Februray 1. Hanneli Slabber, Country Manager, South African Tourism India said, “Positive taxation of course will help propel domestic tourism forward. We look forward to positive taxation on airline tickets and airport services to make the proposition of flying domestically and internationally more accessible to all Indians.”

Here’s how Budget 2017 will be a game changer in
tourism industry

2016 was much of euphoria for tourism industry. The<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-budget-2017-will-be-a-game-changer-intourism-industry/articleshow/56628238.cms"> tourism ministry</a> got 70 % hike in the budget with an allocation of Rs 1,590 crore, to focus on infrastructure development and promotion and publicity initiatives. But in a knee jerk reaction to <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="modi">Modi</keyword>'s demonetization move in November last year, the industry has been left with no choice but to make losses. In the last few years, the tourism in India has witnessed a major boom. In comparison to inbound travel, India has seen a major growth in the outbound sector, thanks to the disposable income of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-budget-2017-will-be-a-game-changer-intourism-industry/articleshow/56628238.cms">millenials</a>. Here are a few reasons, why India’s tourism hasn’t achieved much in comparison to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-budget-2017-will-be-a-game-changer-intourism-industry/articleshow/56628238.cms">China</a>. Infrastructure While domestic<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-budget-2017-will-be-a-game-changer-intourism-industry/articleshow/56628238.cms"> travellers</a> have quadrupled, Indian tourism didn’t see much development in its infrastructure. While roads may have become better, and a lot of online travel portals have born, what went missing is a massive blue print of infrastructure to take India’s tourism to a new high. In India there has hardly been any addition to new hotels. Compare this to China and you would be surprised to find <keyword id="1333" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="beijing">Beijing</keyword> has as many star-category hotel rooms as all of India. India till 2015 has just a little over 100,000 star rated hotel rooms, compared to Beijing’s 130,000 alone. Also lack of supply of hotel rooms has aggravated the demand thereby making the travel in India far expensive in India. The rooms that cost $400 a night in Delhi or Mumbai would cost hardly $100 dollars in most part of China. 
	<div type="image" msid="56719279" hostid="261"></div>


 Market size Another primary reason for China’s growth in tourism market is its size. China is far larger than our country, packed with tonnes of tourist attractions. Also many foreign visitors coming to India prefer cultural and natural destinations and tend to stay away from the cities. However in China, cities are also major draws. Expenses Tax disparity in independent travel purchase is a major flaw in Indian travel ecosystem. There are just too many taxes, which makes travel expensive. Communication The quality of transportation infrastructure in China is light-years ahead of India, there's simply no comparison, according to a <keyword id="274437" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Quora">Quora</keyword> post. It is far easier and more comfortable for tourists to get around China than it is for them to get around India. China's air, rail, and road networks are all faster, safer, and more modern than India's. 
	<div type="image" msid="56719273" hostid="261"></div>


 Safety and security India has witnessed countless instances of pickpockets, burglary, sexual assaults and scams against foreign tourists. There are tourist traps as well that make the country unsafe for travellers. Visits to India by female tourists dropped 35 percent in 2015 compared with the same period a year ago, according to the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-budget-2017-will-be-a-game-changer-intourism-industry/articleshow/56628238.cms">Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India</a>. There is very little for travellers to worry about in China. Violent crime and rape are almost unheard of. You can walk down dark city streets at night in China and have nothing to worry about. Here are the suggestions of industry experts to make tourism in India at par with China: Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C), Yatra.com, an online travel agency and a travel search engine: “The Indian tourism industry is growing at a rapid pace, fuelled by a growing domestic middle class with increasing disposable incomes. In addition, the inbound market is growing at a steady pace as well. However, in comparison to other comparable countries, India still has a long way to go in terms of fulfilling its potential as a tourism destination. The Government has rightly identified Tourism as a pillar of growth in the economy and with improved road infrastructure, regional air connectivity and better budget accommodation, we expect that we will unlock this sector and improve our share of the global tourism market. The Chinese tourism industry &amp; OTAs have benefited from country’s economic development and we believe that India’s tourism sector and online travel market is poised for continued growth and value creation as the economy grows, following the well-established path seen in the US and China.” <keyword id="2049459" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="amitabh-misra">Amitabh Misra</keyword>, Founder of GoFro.com, an online travel marketplace for leisure travel: If we compare the global travel scenario, almost 30-40% population in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-budget-2017-will-be-a-game-changer-intourism-industry/articleshow/56628238.cms">US and Europe</a> go for leisure travel every year, where as in China the number is around 8% and in India it’s still less than 1% of the total population, making it a market with huge growth potential. Having said that one of the major concern is increase in tax disparity in independent travel purchase viz-a-viz holiday packages; for example, the consumer has to pay the tax on flight tickets, now if its combined with a holiday package, they will also have to pay tax on the overall package as well, thus travel is getting costlier for the consumer. We are expecting the 2017 budget to adopt a lenient tax structure which further promote the tourism industry. With government working towards improving country’s infrastructure and enabling tech support at various section will also lead to faster growth of inbound tourism. Ritesh Agarwal, Founder &amp; CEO, OYO Rooms : Infrastructure development is a pre-requisite to provide the much-needed impetus for the industry’s growth. Additional incentives should be provided for infrastructure investments in the travel and tourism sector to accelerate growth. A lower tax rate for hospitality business and the lower rate of interest for real-estate development will ensure opening up of more supply for the nascent branded budget hospitality sector. This will be in line with supporting small owner-friendly policies, such as the exemption of service tax in the sub-Rs. 1000 hotel room category.”

China’s tourism is much ahead of India. Here’s why

PM <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword>’s demonetisation policy may fetch good results in the long run. But currently it’s taking a severe toll on common men who are facing difficulties in getting old notes exchanged and waiting in queue at ATM only to know that there is no cash in it. Life hasn’t been so difficult for daily wagers and software engineers alike, when there is money in account but can’t be used. The irony of money couldn’t have been worse. 
 
At such a juncture, when many daily wagers haven’t eaten ample meals in last few days because they couldn’t stand in queue at the bank fearing a day’s loss of income, things aren’t better for well offs staying abroad. 
 
For the NRIs and foreigners planning a visit to India, the fun isn’t the same anymore. Earlier they would be basking in the idea of meeting Indian friends and visiting historical monuments in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Now they can only think of how to get enough cash in hand. 
 Indian economy, apart from a few exceptions, is largely dependent on cash. Be it street snacks stores to ticket counters of railways at small stations. A few countries in the Middle East, <keyword id="6356662" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Singapore">Singapore</keyword>, <keyword id="8695" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Malaysia">Malaysia</keyword>, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the countries where Indian population is a bit denser, there are options to change to Indian currencies directly from local ones. Instead of changing to USD first, this foreign exchange has two benefits. Firstly there is not much loss of money in the name of exchange rate. Also you won’t have to depend on another forex office to get the dollar changed after landing in India. 
 Travel advisors make sure people visiting India change to rupee before boarding the flight. The recent demonization has left the tourists in tension. According to <keyword id="265234" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sreyashi-Sen">Sreyashi Sen</keyword>, an entrepreneur in Singapore, all the forex offices where they would get Indian currency have stopped changing money to rupee. Leading forex like <keyword id="201800" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mustafa">Mustafa</keyword> has also put a board outside saying ‘No INR’. 
 
Sen, planning a visit to Goa early next week would have count some extra bucks when she lands in India to get currencies changed. Moreover if among the few available forex counters in Goa are non-operative, by any chance, she would be left at the mercy of god. 
 Idmantzi, a Mexican citizen on her India trip is currently halted at Darjeeling in <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>. She is a solo traveller without any acquaintance in India. She was carrying a credit card from her country, which isn’t operating in India. The cash, she carried, is in Rs 500 mostly, which has been refused by the hotel and other places there. She had to ask favour from her embassy, who rushed to Darjeeling and bailed her out. 
 If these miseries aren’t enough, an old couple from <keyword id="6354925" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kolkata">Kolkata</keyword> who went to visit their son in Malaysia had a tough time returning home from Kolkata airport. After they landed at the airport yesterday, the pre-paid counter didn’t accept the notes they carried a month back. Forget booking taxi through apps, for they don’t own a smartphone. Finally a normal yellow taxi decided to ferry them on the condition of paying full Rs 500 without any change in return. The septuagenarians had to shell out Rs 500 for a distance of mere 10 kilometres. Possessing a great sense of humour, the septuagenarian man told the author, “We don’t have any <keyword id="6356023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Black-Money">black money</keyword>. But a note of Rs 500 at the time of economic black out.”

You Searched For "demonetization tourists" and got 4 results

Here's why erotic art of Khajuraho will gain prominence this year

Suchayan Mandal

Here’s how Budget 2017 will be a game changer in tourism industry

Suchayan Mandal

China’s tourism is much ahead of India. Here’s why

Suchayan Mandal

Not just India, people staying in Singapore and Dubai are facing trouble over Modi’s demonetization

Suchayan Mandal

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides