India’s travel and tourism has grown rapidly with a great influx of tourists across the globe who have been irresistibly attracted to the rich culture, heritage, and incredible natural beauty of the country.
With its foggy hill stations, captivating beaches, historical monuments, golden deserts, serene backwaters, pilgrimage sites, rich wildlife and colourful fairs, India will capture the heart of every traveller.
In addition, there are a variety of festivals, lively markets and vibrant local lifestyles with traditional Indian hospitality. As you travel through the lovely Indian states you will discover closely the resplendent colours and rich cultural locales of this incredible land.
Who goes to India
Travellers to India are varied due to the diversity of the country. It has a lot to offer for leisure travellers, adventure travel seekers, travellers seeking wildlife experiences, spiritual travellers interested in Yoga and meditation, travellers for special interest tours, medical tourism travellers and the MICE market.
How to get to India
India is well connected to Australia by air. Depending on which part of the country you wish to visit, there are four major international airports located in the four regions. For direct flights, Air India operates 5x weekly Delhi-Sydney flights and 3x weekly Delhi-Melbourne. Other airlines that fly from Australia to India (via another city/cities) include Emirates, Malindo Air, Hong Kong Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Batik Air, Etihad Airways, Asiana Airlines, Qatar Airways, China Southern, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, SriLankan Airlines, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Thai Airways, AirAsia, Air China, Jet Airways, British Airways, China Airlines , Qantas, China Eastern, Garuda Indonesia, Malaysia Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Japan Airlines and Air Mauritius.
Top 10 things to do in India
1. The Taj Mahal, Agra
One cannot think of tourist spots in India without considering the Taj Mahal. With nearly 4 million tourists arriving at the Taj Mahal every year, it is considered to be the most visited attraction in the country. Built between 1632-1653 in honour of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of the Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal is often listed as one of the Wonders of the World and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was said to have achieved enlightenment at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. Near the temple is the Mahabodhi Tree.
3. Elephanta Caves, Elephanta Island, Mumbai
Located about six miles from Mumbai, the Elephanta Caves are a group of five Hindu caves and two Buddhist caves that contain intricately carved stone sculptures.
4. The Beaches of Goa
Goa is one of the most visited spots in all of India, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the country’s tourist revenue. The most popular spots to visit in Goa are the many beaches, particularly those in North Goa. Anjuna, Baga, and Calungute draw the largest number of tourists, though beaches in Southern Goa, like those in Varca, are becoming increasingly known for hosting world class resorts.
5. Lotus Temple, New Delhi
Those taking flights to Delhi cannot pass through without paying a visit to the Lotus Temple. Formally called the Baha’i House of Worship, Lotus Temple is given its nickname due to the unusual shape of the building.
6. Mysore Palace, Mysore
The second most visited tourist attraction in India, Mysore welcomes about 2.7 million visitors annually. The palace welcomes the most tourists in September and October during the Mysore Dasara festival. During the festival, the palace is decorated with nearly 100,000 lights to pay homage to the Goddess Durga.
7. Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
Gulmarg is known for its winter sports. A popular tourist destination between December and March, skiing enthusiasts can choose from one of over 40 hotels in the region.
8. Tomb of Humayun, Nizamuddin East, Delhi
This tomb to the Mugal Emperor Humayun was commissioned in 1562 and was built over the course of eight years. If you are traveling to Delhi, you should consider visiting this tomb, as it has undergone extensive restoration in recent years.
9. Harimandir Sahib, Armritsar, Punjab
The Harimandir Sahib is popularly known as the Golden Temple due to the fact that the upper floors are covered in gold. The construction Harimandir Sahib was completed in 1604, but attacks left it seriously damaged until the time that it was rebuilt in 1764.
10. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Tamil Nadu
This steam locomotive railway system passes through 26 miles of land over the course of about nine hours. Tourists can pass over 250 bridges and can enjoy the steepest train track in Asia.
How to learn more about India
Travel agents are encouraged to participate on FAM/Recce tours for destination knowledge and detailed itineraries which offers an idea about what to offer to the clients. Speak to your DMCs for training session also. For quick information, visit the India Tourism website www.theincredibleindia.org or email info@pettittsindia.com.
