Current Status and Opportunities in Tourism

Sector in Rajasthan

1. About Rajasthan and Jaipur

Rājasthān is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It encompasses most of the area of

the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert). Rajasthan covers an area of 342,239 km²,

which is 10.41% of the total area of the country.

One of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, cradles the

only hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu, famous for Dilwara Temples, a

sacred pilgrimage for Jains. Eastern Rajasthan has the world famous

Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, famous for its bird life and is a

World Heritage Site and two famous national tiger reserves, Ranthambore

and Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra and forms the golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and

Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trappings of a modern metropolis

but yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The old

Jaipur painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration. Stunning backdrop of ancient forts:

Nahargarh, Amer, Jaigarh and Moti Doongari are apt testimonials of the bygone era and a reminder

of their lingering romance and chivalry.

2. Tourists Arrivals – Domestics & International, 2006-10

Rajasthan attracted 14% of total foreign visitors during 2009-2010 which is fourth highest in all

states of India. It positioned fourth place also in Domestic tourist visitors. Endowed with natural

beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing industry in Rajasthan. Tourism accounts for eight

percent of the state's domestic product. Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been

converted into heritage hotels. Tourism has increased employment in the hospitality sector.

Tourism section has grown at the rapid pace in Rajasthan between 2005 and 2008. However, there

was some slow down in the year 2009, owing to the global recession. It is forecasted that the

Current Status and Opportunities in Tourism Sector in Rajasthan

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industry is back on track in 2010. Preliminary data predicted more than 280 Lakhs domestic travelers

and more than 14 Lakhs foreign travelers.

(Figures in Lakhs)

187.9

234.8

259.2

283.6

255.6

11.3 12.2 14.0 14.8 10.7

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Domestic Foreign

3. No. of Tourists ate Key Interest Areas in Jaipur City, 2007-09

19263

97672

317857

20939

116374

334298

27875

152057

362996

Deeg Palaces Kmbhalgarh Fort Chittaurgarh Fort

2007 2008 2009

4. Famous Tourist Attraction in Rajasthan

Jaipur - The capital of Rajasthan, famous for its rich history and royal architecture.

Jodhpur - Fortress-city at the edge of the Thar Desert, famous for its blue homes and

architecture.

Udaipur - Known as the "Venice” of India.

Jaisalmer - Famous for its golden fortress, havelis and some of the oldest Jain Temples and

libraries.

Current Status and Opportunities in Tourism Sector in Rajasthan

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Bikaner - Famous for its havelis, palaces and temples.

Mount Abu - Highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan. Famous for 11th century Dilwara

Jain Temples.

Pushkar - It has the first and one of the very few Brahma temples in the world.

Ranakpur- Large Jain Temple complex with near 1444 pillars and exquisite marble carvings.

Nathdwara - This town near Udaipur hosts the famous temple of Shrinathji.

Ranthambore - Situated near Sawai Madhopur, this town has one of the largest and most

famous national parks in India.

Shekhawati - Located are small towns such as Mandawa and Ramgarh with frescoed havelis

between 100 to 300 years old.

Barmer - Barmer and surrounding areas offer perfect picture of typical Rajasthani villages.

5. Key Attractions in Jaipur

Fort and Monuments Temple Near Jaipur

City Palace

Jantar Mantar

Albert Hall

Moti Doongri

Hawa Mahal

Gaitore

Jaigarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort

Amber Palace

Govind Dev Ji Temple

Birla Temple

Moti Doongri Temple

Tonk

Sanganer

Bagru

Samode

Sariska Tiger reserve

Ranthambhore National Park

Abhaneri

Karauli

6. No. of Tourists ate Key Interest Areas in Jaipur City, 2007-09

7 7

71

5 4 0 0 0 8 20 4

688

793

62

260

175

0 0 0

231

60

158

5 Star Deluxe 5 Star 4 Star 3 Star 2 Star 1 Star Apartment Hotel

Timeshare Resort

Heritage Homestays Unclassified

Properties

Number of Rooms

With increasing number of visitors in the states, the numbers of available rooms increase from 2,367

in 2008 to 2,417 in 2009 mainly because of implementation of Homestay scheme. However, the

Current Status and Opportunities in Tourism Sector in Rajasthan

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demand is increasing for all kinds of properties including Vacation Rental, Holiday Homes and

Homestays.

7. SWOT Analysis Of Rajasthan Tourism

7.1. Strengths

The state has several strengths from tourism point of view. The strengths related to sectors

include location and regional linkage, tourism, heritage, trade and commerce, traditional arts and

crafts and state reforms.

World famous tourist destination

Attracts both domestic as well as international tourists

Several important tourist attractions in the form of palaces, museums, forts, etc present

Heritage

Famous for its heritage and culture, (reflected in buildings, forts, Palaces, temples, etc.)

Old city is a virtual museum of heritage buildings

7.2. Weakness

The major areas of weaknesses for the city include infrastructure, urban growth, conservation,

environment, slums, and institutional capacity.

Inadequate regional linkages in form of bad rail (meter gauge) and air routes

Pressure on roads due to encroachment, excessive commercialization and vehicular

movement

Lack of parking space

Lack of proper Traffic Management in city

Lack of infrastructure facilities near and around tourist places

Absence of public transportation

Inadequate number of public conveniences

Violation of rules, byelaws by public and residents leading to loss of heritage look

High rate of population growth and urbanisation is leading to slum formation,

Lack of proper database management in each sector especially in Heritage and Infrastructure

development

Lack of awareness among people towards heritage conservation

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No proper maintenance of heritage sites like fort of Sajjangarh, Heritage Gates etc

Most of buildings in walled city are in deteriorating state due to lack of repair and

maintenance

Degrading air quality

Degraded water quality

Increasing number of slums

7.3. Opportunities

Rajasthan has several aspects that are potential opportunities. Main opportunities are in the areas

of economic growth, proposed projects, state initiated reforms and heritage.

It can attract many tourists because of its rich heritage and culture, and Picturesque and

congenial Natural Setting

With good regional and location advantage, it has the capacity to attract many potential

developers in economic and industrial sectors State urban reforms

Proposed reforms under SUARAJ scheme shall help in streamlining institutional and later

infrastructure reforms in city

State is focused on provision of basic services to urban poor that will help in development of

city Heritage

Rich heritage shall attract tourists, many more potential sites under consideration

7.4. Threats

Threats primarily exists weakness, which if not addressed adequately might pose as threats for

development of city in future.

8. Emerging Opportunities - Dental Tourism

The unofficial estimate for Jaipur is a mere 2,000 over the last five years. Dental tourism could grow

by four times in the next five years if the state government were to make an effort to market Jaipur

as a global hub for dental tourism. Internationally, Malaysia and Thailand have emerged as other

hotspots for dental tourism in Asia. Hungary and Spain are dental tourism destinations in Europe

A study by the IWHTA (International Wellness and Healthcare Travel Association) analyzed that close

to one-third of the people in the US do not have dental insurance. Even the insured struggle because

a surgery could cost anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000 per tooth and the insurers pay only

$1,000 to $1,500 per year. Only bare minimum treatments or procedures are covered under

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insurance and not costly, cosmetic or laser dentistry surgery. Even in the UK, a root canal and teeth

whitening procedure would have cost her around £2,200, compared to just £280 in India. Thus, it is

attracting lots of tourists from abroad who are looking to explore the beauty of Rajasthan, as well

as, get low cost treatment.

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