India is one of the richest countries in the world in regard to heritage attractions and has a number of sites which are designated by UNESCO as world heritage sites.
The whole world knows about the Taj Mahal and its famous history.Other world heritage sites in India include the Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, Sun Temple, Konarak, the monuments at Mahabalipuram, Kaziranga National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Keoladeo National Park, the Churches and Convent at Goa, Monuments at Khajuraho and Hampi, Fatehpur Sikri, Monuments at Pattadakal, Elephanta Caves, Sundarbans National Park and Nanda Devi National Park. There are still more such as the Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, Buddhist Monastery at Sanchi, Humayun’s tomb and Qutb Minar and its monuments at Delhi. What an incredible array.
^^^^ Background
Heritage now comprises a very important component of tourism and undeniably has a lengthy tradition and exercised a major influence in helping to determine the appeal of tourist destinations. Many of the world’s learned citizens, since the beginning of recorded history, perceived and endorsed travel to heritage sites as a means of education and recognised, as Mark Twain, observed that’’...Travel, is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness...’’
Similarly, the ’’...Gentlemans tour of Europe...’’ known more widely as ’’...The Grand Tour..’’ became a key element in the education of a person of the land gentry or ruling class and involved journeys being made to the major cities and classical sites of interest in Western Europe by the wealthy social elite in England for purpose of culture, education and pleasure. A discernible travel circuit emerged with France and Italy providing the bulk of the ancient ruins, classical antiquities and Renaissance sites which the traveller sought to experience.
In the 19th century, the period of the so-called ’’...Romantic Grand Tour...’’ scenic considerations gained in importance and whilst the sites of classical antiquities and Renaissance treasures continued to dominate the pattern, tourist become increasingly concerned with the picturesque aspects of ruins and the emotional effects of scenes on their own feelings.
Gradually too the Eurocentric nature of organised heritage tourism gave way to greater appreciation of heritage in other continents.
In Asia, there were gems such as the Great Wall of China, which following the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), become the world’s largest military structure with its historic and strategic importance matched only by its architectural value, Islamic architecture, in its purest form, was epitomised by the incomparable. Taj Mahal in India built by the Mughal Emperor Shah jahan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Work begun on this monument in 1634 and continued for almost 22 years. Situated in the city of Agra on the banks of the Yamuna, this magnificent building is enclosed in a garden amidist fountains and ornamental trees.
Then there were the Borobudur temple compound in Indonesia, Angkor in Cambodia, Capital of the ancient Khmer Empire, Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, and Memphis and its Necropolis , the Pyramid fields from Ghaza to Dashur in Egypt, which were to gain world recognition.
·^^^^^^ Growth of Mass Tourism
The gradual onset of cheaper, faster and more efficient means of transport, the commercialisation of travel and extensive social and economic change led to the once fashionable Grand Tour evolving into a mass tourism experience and a democratisation of both culture and tourism took place. Today ever increasing numbers of visitors participate in heritage tourism in many parts of the globe. Throughout the world, museums, art galleries, heritage sites, historic buildings, art festivals etc have become major tourism attractions and instead of constituting peripheral or added attractions, heritage has become a major catalyst for the whole travel experience. In recent years , culture has been rediscovered as an important marketing tool to attract the growing number of travellers with special interests in heritage.India with its immensely rich culture is exceptionally well positioned to capitalise on this trend.