Abstract :
Tourism today is the most vibrant tertiary activity and a multi-billion industry in India.
Traditionally known largely for its historical and cultural dimensions, tourism today is
highlighted for its immense business opportunities. With its lucrative linkages with transport,
hotel industry etc., the potential and performance of India’s tourism industry needs to be gauged
in terms of its socio-economic magnitudes. This paper traces the progress made by India’s
tourism industry in the planning era, and the emerging issues (like alternative tourism) under
globalization. It examines the problems and challenges of the country as well as the pitfalls in
tourism planning in India. The paper also makes some policy suggestions to address the
constraints in promoting sustainable tourism in India.
