FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES

INDUKAKA IPCOWALA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY-1 (BM471.2)

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

SEMESTER - V

CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,

CHANGA

HIMACHAL PRADESH RURAL TOURISM

Submitted to
Ruma pal
Assistant professor
Submitted By,
Meet Patel
20BBA247

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 Preface
This Synthesis Report has been prepared in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Subject:
BM471.2: Tourism and Hospitality -1 (TH-1) in BBA (Sem. V) in the academic year 2022-2023. For
preparing the Synthesis Report, taken help from the secondary sources during the suggested duration to
avail the necessary information.

The blend of learning and knowledge acquired during our practical studies at (TOPIC) is presented in
this Synthesis Report. The rationale behind (Topic) and preparing the Synthesis Report is to study the
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____ ____________________________________________________________.

The Synthesis Report starts with the basic concepts of _______________and also covers the general
information of the _____________. The information presented in this Synthesis Report is obtained from
sources like Company Personnel, Websites, Reports, Articles, Research paper and Other Literature.

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Chapter No. Particulars Page No.

1. Overview of the Topic 1-10

2. Accommodation 11-29

3. Transportation 30-40

4. Attractions 41-47

5. Travel Agents 47-49

6. Tour Operators 49-51

7. Conclusion 51-52

8. Bibliography 53

Table of Content

Overview of the Topic

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1.1 Introduction of Tourism and Hospitality
Who is Tourist?

Before we precede any further we need to define a tourist for our study. The most suitable definition
we came across is given by the United Nations. This definition is generally followed by all the
countries in compiling their tourist.

Statistics and is not based on motivation but on an economic concept.

“A Tourist is a temporary visitor to a country other than the one in which he usually resides for any
reason other than following an occupation remunerated within the country visited.” It is further
elaborated that the temporary period should not be less 24 hours. There is considerable cross border
day traffic amongst many groups of neighboring countries. Such visitors are defined as
Excursionists. On the above lines it has been argued that if pleasure and recreation have become the
main motivation of present day tourism then why should visitors who whose main purpose is to
conduct business, attend a conference or see relatives and friends be considered as tourists ? The
answer is that a visitor to a conference or one who has come for a business purpose in his spare time
also behaves like a ‘pleasure1 tourist. He goes on sightseeing and shopping trips, visits Clubs and
bars, and so on. The determining factor is whether the visit is being paid for in foreign currency or
from within the country.

The above definition can be vastly different from what we generally perceive. However, when the
facts and the figure are calculated as to the number of people visiting a country, the above definition
is taken into consideration.

Hospitality and tourism is a massive, collective industry consisting of tourism and other
hospitality-related businesses. Tourism companies are technically considered hospitality
businesses because they rely on strong customer service to generate revenue. They must
provide a welcoming, enjoyable experience to their guests. Otherwise, those guests
won't return in the future, and some guests may share their bad experience with friends
or family members.

All hospitality businesses, even those residing outside of the tourism sector, follow a
similar approach with their operations by emphasizing the importance of strong, positive
customer service .

1.2 Background of Hospitality and Tourism

The history of hospitality and tourism can be traced back centuries ago to the 1700s when young,
wealthy Europeans began touring around Europe as a way to broaden their horizons with a
historical, artistic, and cultural education gained through travel. However, hospitality itself as an
industry has been found to have a history that is thousands of years old. Caves in France designed to

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 accommodate visiting tribes have been discovered and dated back to 15,000 BCE. Work associated
with the movement and accommodation of people has been an important part of a variety of
different societies throughout history.
Hospitality and tourism, although now generally considered a singular industry, have developed on
parallel but separate planes. Hospitality as an industry is dependent on travel and tourism. It is a
dynamic category of commercial activity surrounding the travel industry. The term hospitality
means the welcoming reception of guests, whether that be through a kind greeting, a well-appointed
guest room, a delicious meal, or an entertaining event. The sector includes transportation,
accommodation, dining, events, and entertainment. Contemporary hospitality is heavily involved
with the leisure tourism industry, but is also significant in all forms of travel, including business,
personal, medical, and beyond. The overall goal of the hospitality industry is to provide people
comfort and convenience when they are away from home.
Tourism has a deep-rooted history that can also be dated back thousands of years if it is considered
as a by-product of the mobility of people. Travel, as the movement of people, has existed as long as
people have. However, the tourism industry is a relatively modern innovation. Tourism grew into its
own commercial venture in the 18th century, with the Grand Tour of British aristocrats who found
educational experiences of art, architecture, and culture by travelling through England, Belgium,
France, Italy, and Greece. Over time, as travel technology advanced and became cheaper, the
tourism industry expanded. Contemporary ideas of leisure travel truly exploded in the 1950s with
easier and less expensive access to air travel, and there now exists entire organizations dedicated to
leisure travel, such as cruise lines and vacation resorts. Moreover, the internet now brings travel to
the masses, as anyone can go online and research and reserve a vacation.

1.3 State History (Himachal Pradesh)

The history of this mountainous state is complex and fragmented. It is known that a number of so-
called Aryan groups filtered into the more productive valleys during the Vedic period (c. 1500 to
500 BCE) and assimilated the pre-Aryan population. Later, successive Indian empires—such as the
Mauryan (c. 321–185 BCE), the Gupta (c. 320–540 CE), and the Mughal (1526–1761), all emerging
in the Indo-Gangetic Plain—sought to exercise varying degrees of control over trade and pilgrimage
routes into the area and between India and Tibet across the Himalayas.
The remote, predominantly Buddhist area that is now the district of Lahaul and Spiti was controlled
by Ladakh from the decline of the Mughal Empire (about the mid-18th century) until the early
1840s, when it briefly came under Sikh rule. Also during this period, warring semiautonomous petty
rulers controlled the trade routes, as well as desirable segments of agricultural and pastoral land, in
the other areas of present-day Himachal Pradesh. British domination of this region followed the
Sikh Wars of the 1840s and continued, directly or indirectly, for the next 100 years.
Around the time of Indian independence in 1947, there was a popular movement to end feudalism in
the region, and the princely state of Suket virtually surrendered to peaceful demonstrators.

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 Subsequently, Himachal Pradesh was constituted as a province in 1948. It consisted of 30 princely
states and was administered by a chief commissioner, who represented the government of India.

Between 1948 and its achievement of statehood in 1971, Himachal Pradesh went through various
changes in size and administrative form. It became a substate under the Indian constitution of 1950.
In 1954 it joined with Bilaspur (a former Indian state and then a chief commissioner’s province),
and in 1956 it became a union territory. Himachal Pradesh was enlarged in 1966 by the merger and
absorption of numerous Punjab hill areas, including the regions surrounding Shimla, Kangra, and
Kullu; the district of Lahaul and Spiti; and parts of the districts centered at Ambala, Hoshiarpur, and
Gurdaspur. Early in 1971, Himachal Pradesh became the 18th state of India; Y.S. Parmar, who since
the 1940s had been a leader in the quest for self-government in Himachal Pradesh, became the
state’s first chief minister.

1.4 Geographical location of Himachal Pradesh

Latitude: 30°22'40" N to 33°12'40" N
Longitude: 75°45' 55" E to 79°04' 20" E

Himachal Pradesh, as the name suggests, is situated in the western Himalayas. It extends from the
latitudes 30°22'40" North to 33°12'40" North and longitudes 75°45' 55" East to 79°04' 20" East.
Located in the northern part of India, the state stands bordered by Punjab in the west, Uttar Pradesh
in the southeast, China in the east, Haryana in the southeast and Jammu and Kashmir in the north.
The entire state of Himachal has a hilly and rugged terrain, with the altitude ranging from 350
meters to 7000 meters above sea level.

In fact, the average altitude of the state increases as we move from west to east and from south to
north. In geographical terms, we can divide the entire state of Himachal Pradesh into three distinct
regions, namely the Shivalik or Outer Himalayas, Middle Himalayas or Inner Himalayas and
Greater Himalayas or the Alpine Zone. The Outer Himalayas cover the altitude ranging from 350 to
1,500 meters. They comprise of the districts of Hamirpur, Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, and the lower
parts of Solan, Sirmaur and Mandi.

Talking about the Middle Himalayas, one has to mention that they cover the altitudes ranging from
1,500 to 4,500 meters. The districts Sirmaur, Mandi, and the upper parts of Kangra, Shimla and
Chamba make up this region of Himalayas. Finally, we come to the Greater Himalayas that
comprises of all those areas which exceed 4,500 meters in altitude. To be more precise, this region
includes Sutlej River, apart from the Kinnaur and Pangi tehsils of Chamba and some parts of Lahaul
and Spiti, within its precincts.

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1.5 Himachal Pradesh Map

1.6 GDP Contribution by State with reference to Tourism & Hospitality

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 Himachal Pradesh is likely to register a negative growth of 6.2 per cent in the current financial year
(2020-21) due to the adverse impact of Covid-19 pandemic, with the tourism sector contracting by
over 81 per cent.

The growth rate this year is expected to plummet from 8.9 per cent in 2019-20 to minus 6.2 per
cent. The per capita income at the current price is estimated to drop by 3.7 per cent to Rs 1,83,286
from previous year’s Rs 1,90,407.

While almost all revenue-generating sectors have witnessed a sharp decline, tourism sector is the
worst-hit with a contraction of 81.33 per cent. The hotels and restaurants sector is likely to register a
contraction of 9.2 per cent in 2020-21. The other badly hit sectors include transport, mining and
quarrying, forestry and construction. The agriculture sector is set to register a contraction of 3.1 per
cent due to a decrease of 43 per cent in horticulture production. Fiscal deficit is estimated to be 4.65
per cent of the GSDP in 2020-21. — TNS

Covid impact

3.7% drop expected in per capita income

9.2% contraction likely in hotel/ restaurant sector

3.1% decrease expected in agriculture sector

4.65% of the GSDP will be the state’s fiscal deficit

1.7 Significance and Impact of tourism

Impact of Tourism The economic impact of tourism on regional, national and international
economy is of far-reaching significance both in terms of magnitude and direction due to the
expansion of the market (Stynes, 1997). In the developing economies through the transfer of
resources has a powerful potential to influence the peace and direction of development and expand
employment opportunities besides correcting imbalances in balance of payment and rising revenue

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 (Archer & Fletcher, 1990). The economic value of tourism is often measured by way of estimating
its contribution to national income, employment and tax revenue accruing to the economy.

Chart: 1 Tourist Arrival in India (in millions)

In Himachal Pradesh 2019-2020, tourism sector did well in 2019 and witnessed a 4.63 per cent
growth in both foreign and domestic tourist arrivals. One of the hardest hit sectors by the Covid-19
pandemic was tourism; it saw a contraction of 81.33 per cent in foreign and domestic tourist arrivals
in 2020. Trade, Hotel and Restaurant sector showed a contraction of 9.2 per cent during 2020-21 as
against a growth of 4.6 per cent in 2019-20. Transport by other means, namely, road transport,
water transport, air transport and services incidental to transport, too showed a negative growth of
28 per cent during 2020-21 as against 5.6 per cent growth during 2018-19. India 8 State
Government has released an additional sum of 40.49 crore to the Himachal Pradesh Tourism
Development Corporation (HPTDC) during the current financial year, keeping in view the impact
of COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism industry is labor intensive service industry. It has become a

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 valuable source of employment. The promotion of tourism can prove to be an encouragement to
economic development and employment. For the tourism sector as a whole, the number of jobs
directly or indirectly concerned represents nearly 5 per cent to 8 per cent of the total number of jobs
available in the country. In many tourists’ areas employment is of seasonal nature only. Thus,
tourism activity can be treated as an essential feature of regional economic development at least in
respect of creating work opportunities. Tourism has provided a number of employment
opportunities for local people in Himachal Pradesh. It is noticed that in tourism sector the number of
direct and indirect employment opportunities increased year by year. Tourism activity is used by
certain economies as an important resource for generating government revenue. Tourism generates
tax revenue. The income generated from the tourism sector is increasing year by year. Almost every
country/ destination looks at tourism not just as attracting tourists but as a platform which supports
economic growth and complete development (Amanovich, 2022). Very recently Tokhirovich,
(2021) highlighted the role and importance of pilgrimage tourism in the economy of small areas, the
influence of pilgrimage and tourism in small areas. Incera & Fernández (2015) explored the ways in
which tourism consumption affects income distribution involves three channels: changes in prices,
earnings of households and government revenues. Results show that the positive effects on all
income groups are significant. However, high-income households benefit more than low-income
ones, contributing to a slight increase in income inequality within the region. Gupta & Dutta (2018)
analysed comparative steady-state effects and show that tourism development raises the level of
capital stock as well as national income but lowers the quality of environment in the new steady-
state equilibrium leading to a relative expansion (contraction) of the capital (labour) intensive no
tourism (tourism) sector. Liu & Wu (2018) examined the transmission mechanism between tourism
productivity and economic growth. Results further disclose that when the productivity of overall
economy improves, inbound tourism demand expands more than domestic tourism demand,
whereas when the productivity of tourism sector improves, domestic tourism consumption increases
more than inbound tourism consumption. Khakhobaia (2019) examined how tourism industry can
promote balanced growth of local economic activities through the prism of small and medium size
enterprises. For the same establishment of the relevant policy on the national and also on the
regional level was recommended. In broader sense the economic effects of tourism include
improved tax revenue and personal income, increased standards of living, and more employment
opportunities. However, the economic potential of the tourism industry is indisputable. In fact, it is
because of the positive economic impacts that most destinations embark on their tourism journey.
Tourism is a significant economic driver the world over. However, not all economic impacts of
tourism are positive. In order to ensure that the economic impacts of tourism are maximized, careful
management of the tourism industry is required.

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 Accommodation

2.1 Why it is important to attract guests

Hotels can use tourist places around their locations to market themselves. By promoting tourism,
hotel owners can attract guests within the hotel.

Your hotel brand can be connected to the popular places around town. Like we can take the
example of a hotel from Paris. Through linking up from the Eiffel Tower the hotel can promote
itself.

It is the way of getting booking or attracting the guest in your hotel by promoting famous tourist
places around your location.

The tourism industry is different from other industries because here you sell a place, not a product.
For selling a place your marketing strategy should be creative.

For getting the success you should make change your marketing strategy with time.

Here in this blog, there are some ways by which can be used by hotel owners to increase bookings
by promoting tourism.

1 Make tourism partnerships

2 Travel and tourism trade shows

3 Ecotourism

4 Create destination videos and user guides for travelers.

5 Food tourism

Make Tourism Partnerships

By forming partnerships with the local tourism industry will help you in attracting more bookings.
It will make more revenue for your business.

It will make increase the reach of your market campaign. And you get a more desirable audience
that is willing to visit the destination.

In this case, there are more chances to get a booking from those tourists. It is like content marketing
where you are not selling your product directly.

Instead of attempting to create a broad base of followers and a reach that extends throughout the
world. Piggyback with a partner who already has that reach in a way that benefits both parties.

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 Make a partner that already has reach in the mass audience then your campaign will also get more
potential customers.

Travel and Tourism Trade Shows

In tourism trade shows, different authorities and suppliers meet each other. Trade shows provide
your destination with access to every travel and tourism supplier in the region and beyond.

In these types of shows, you can meet at travel sellers. Every travel seller and company who sells or
wants to sell your destination and the general public who has an interest in what you’re offering.

Whether you attend existing trade shows around the country and the world, or you organize your
own to bring attention and forward motion to your destination, the results can be beneficial.

Trade shows bring together every aspect of the travel industry in one place and allow time for
meetings, interaction, and new deals.

They also draw media attention, public attendees, and, if they are large enough, national travel
agencies and their millions of customers.

Eco-Tourism/Adventure Travel
Ecotourism is becoming a new trend for travelers. Eco-tourists love to spend time with nature. If
your hotel is in such type of region then you have a very good opportunity to attract an eco-tourist
in your hotel.

If you have resources then why not use them to grow your business.

Its natural environment also appeals to visitors seeking an adrenaline rush with such activities as
windsurfing, white water kayaking, skiing, and rock climbing.

Consider how you can take advantage of the eco-tourism and adventure travel opportunities in your
area.

Even if your business is in a city, you can appeal to foreign visitors simply by helping them find
local eco-tourism activities.

Create Destination Videos And User Guides For Travelers.

Travelers are the lifeblood of the tourism industry. So hotels should understand the needs and wants
of them. By knowing the needs of them make your marketing plan around them

Your tourism ads must therefore be based on their desires and wishes.

Create a guide that you would want to sell or be willing to pay for, then give it away for free. That
means high-quality photos and professional design.

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 The whole online world is moving toward videos. It’s time to switch for video marketing. Videos
convey a huge amount of information in very little time, so it’s a great way to showcase who you
are and what you do.

Create helpful videos that showcase things to do in your area, helpful tips about getting around, fun
facts, and locals-only secrets. Share these videos on your website and social media.

Hence in this way you can guide your visitors to explore more in the locality of your place. It will
influence them and attract them to book your hotel room.

Food Tourism
The rise of food tourism gives an opportunity for independent hotels to connect with guests. Hotels
can use local food and dishes in their marketing strategy to get the audience.

It gives new experiences to hotels and increases its total revenue and income. The hotel can market
their special foods and attracts visitors by showing this.

Through collaborating with local farmers’ markets, even hotels without restaurants can capitalize on
food tourism.

2.2 Functions of the Departments

1) Transportation

The transportation sector is concerned with helping tourists to get where they need to go, via the
provision of transport. This may include providing them with the means to get to their intended
holiday destination in the first place, but may also include assisting them with getting around after
they arrive at their destination.

Included within this sector are services related to road, rail, air and sea travel.

Airline Industry

The airline industry plays a vital role in the modern travel industry, providing passengers with
access to both domestic and overseas flights, allowing them to quickly reach their intended
destinations via commercial aircraft. Airline services are generally divided into scheduled and
chartered flights.

Car Rental

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 For many tourists, having access to a car is an important part of their tourist experience, ensuring
they have the freedom to explore and travel freely. Car rental services provide this kind of access
and often operate in close proximity to airports, or even in partnership with particular airlines or
travel companies.

Water Transport

As the name suggests, the water transport sub-section is concerned with movement across the water.
This includes things like ocean liners and ferry transport, where the objective is usually to get
passengers from A to B, but also includes cruise liners, where being on the cruise liner itself forms
the main part of the travel experience.

Coach Services

Coach and bus services are an important part of the tourism industry, offering long-distance travel,
assisting airport passengers with travel to their accommodation, taking groups of tourists on day
trips to local attractions or popular tourist destinations, and offering access to other nearby towns
and cities.

Railway

Rail travel has played a key role in the tourism industry since the 19th century and continues to do
so. Railways not only provide a means for travellers to get to their destination, but overground and
underground rail services also provide options for navigating many of the major towns and cities
that tourists visit as well.

Spacecraft

A new element of the transport sector – and one that will become increasingly important in the
years ahead – involves the use of spacecraft to carry tourists into space. Indeed, Virgin Galactic,
recently sent the VSS Unity spaceplane into outer space and is planning to offer commercial flights
to ‘space tourists’ in the near future.

2) Accommodation

The accommodation sector is central to the travel and hospitality industry, because people travelling
to different areas require somewhere to stay, rest, sleep and unwind. In fact, by many definitions, a
tourist is only classed as such if their stay exceeds 24 hours and they use some form of overnight
accommodation.

Within this subsection, there are a number of different components, ranging from the hotel industry
to camping, hostels and cruises. These sub-sections are explained in greater detail below:

Hotels

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 Hotels are the most obvious and popular form of accommodation for tourists and the hotel industry
is inextricably linked to the tourism industry. Put simply, hotels provide paid lodgings for guests.
With that being said, aside from beds and other essential facilities, the services they provide can
vary quite drastically.

Shared Accommodation

In more recent times, shared accommodation has emerged as a major option for tourists. One of the
most popular services offering shared accommodation is Airbnb, where users are able to list spare
rooms and rent them out to travellers on a short-term basis. These could be individual, private
rooms, or common areas shared with others.

Hostels

A hostel is typically a lower-priced accommodation option, suitable for those operating on a lesser
budget, or those who are attempting to reduce their travel costs. It is a form of sociable
accommodation, where multiple guests will rent beds in a shared space, typically with communal
bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Camping

Camping is the practice of staying outdoors overnight, in a tent or similar type of shelter. While
tourists may opt to camp in public areas, commercial campsites are extremely popular and often
more convenient. These commercial sites will typically charge for access, but will also provide
additional facilities or utilities.

Bed & Breakfast

B&B accommodation offers a small number of rooms for guests and offers overnight stays and
breakfast in the morning. In most cases, guests will have a private bedroom and bathroom, although
bathroom facilities are sometimes shared. The owners or hosts of these establishments will often
live in the bed & breakfast too.

Cruises

Cruises also come under the accommodation sector, because cruise liners serve as a form of
accommodation in their own right. Typically, on a cruise, travellers will be allocated their own
cabin and the cruise itself will last a set length of time, with tourists staying on the cruise ship for
the majority of the duration.

Farmhouse Accommodation and Agri-Tourism

Travellers are increasingly willing to stay in farmhouse accommodation, usually on a self-catering

basis. This is linked to the idea of agri-tourism, where tourists visit farms, learn about the work that

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 goes on there, and sometimes even participate in the daily work themselves as part of the travel
experience.

Time-Share Accommodation

Finally, time-share accommodation, also known as vacation ownership accommodation, refers to

accommodation where ownership or usage rights are divided between multiple individuals. These
individuals are allotted their own time frame – typically a week or two weeks out of the year –
where they have the right to use the property.

3) Food and Beverage

The food and beverage sector has an interesting role within the tourism industry, providing tourists
with essential refreshments at all stages of their travel experience, including during travel, when
spending time in their chosen accommodation, and when they are out and about exploring the
location they have travelled to.

In addition to catering for travellers’ basic requirements, however, the food and beverage sector also
offers them opportunities to socialize, meet new people and enjoy themselves.

Restaurants

Restaurants or eateries provide one of the main ways in which tourists eat food and socialize on
their travels. This category includes everything from fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s and
KFC, to family restaurants, and luxury restaurants offering high-end cuisine.

Catering

Catering is usually recognized as the provision of food services at more remote locations. Within
this sub-section would be the various food and drink offerings found at hotels and other
accommodation types, as well as on planes, cruise ships or trains. It also includes offerings at many
tourist attractions or entertainment sites.

Bars & Cafés

Bars and cafés are an important part of the local economy in many travel destinations, offering
tourists a more relaxed location to consume refreshments, drink alcohol and socialize with locals or
other tourists. They tend to be smaller than restaurants and may have a theme or serve a fairly
general range of products.

Nightclubs

Nightclubs are one of the single most essential parts of the food and beverage sector, providing
travellers with entertainment during the night and actually attracting many tourists to some

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 destinations in the first place. Indeed, some travel hotspots base their entire industry around the
nightlife that is on offer there.

4) Entertainment

Some tourists travel to new locations in the pursuit of entertainment. Such travellers may be drawn
to entertainment options that are not available in their home location, or they may simply require
more general entertainment, which would be accessible almost anywhere in the world, as part of
their trip.

Entertainment attractions or venues are sometimes the main things drawing travellers to a particular
tourist location. On the other hand, many other entertainment offerings are set up to capitalize on
existing tourism.

Casino

Casinos are entertainment facilities centered around gambling activities. The majority of these
activities are games of chance, although casinos do also offer games where there is some element of
skill involved. Additionally, casinos are commonly connected to hotels and may offer further
entertainment, such as music or comedy performances.

Tourist Information

In the modern travel and hospitality industry, tourist information exists both online and offline.
Examples of online tourist information include informational websites highlighting local attractions,
tourist sites or facilities. Meanwhile, offline services include tourist information centers and
literature produced by the tourist board.

Shopping

The retail industry and the travel industry are closely connected and most major tourist destinations
will also provide shopping facilities. Shopping can even, in some cases, attract tourists in the first
place, while the shopping sub-section of the entertainment sector also includes things like duty-free
shopping and local market trading.

Tourist Guides & Tours

Tourist guides provide tourists with access to organized tours of local attractions, landmarks,
educational buildings and other places of interest. In doing so, they are able to offer assistance,
expert insight, and context, often making the experience more enjoyable, convenient and
worthwhile for the tourist(s).

5) Connected Industries

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 Finally, there are also a number of industries that are either directly or indirectly connected to the
tourism industry. These include industries based on actually connecting customers with travel
services, as well as industries based on providing customers with important information that can
assist them in their travels.

Some of the most notable related industries are detailed in greater depth below:

Financial Services

Financial services can be linked to the travel industry in a number of ways, with the most obvious
being the provision of insurance products, which offer financial protection in emergency situations,
or in cases where medical treatment is needed. Additionally, financial services may be connected to
things like currency exchanges.

Travel Agents

Travel agents sell travel or tourism-related products to customers on behalf of suppliers. They
generally receive a commission from suppliers and also offer travellers advice on the best travel
products to suit their particular needs or preferences. Some travel agents also offer business travel
services.

Tour Operators

Tour operators tend to sell package holidays, which combine multiple travel and tour services into a
single product. A package holiday might, for example, include charging tourists for flights, airport
transfers, a hotel stay, and services from a local rep. It could also include holiday experiences or a
set itinerary.

Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

Online travel agencies, or OTAs, offer similar services to other travel agents, although these
services are delivered over the internet, providing more of a self-service experience. Some of the
most popular OTAs include Expedia, Booking.com, Kayak and lastminute.com. These OTAs may
also double as metasearch engines.

Tourism Organisations

Tourism organisations are essentially organisations that exist to look out for the tourism industry
and act on its behalf. They may have influence over national tourism policies, might lobby
governments in the interests of the tourism industry, and could also work to bring the various
sectors together.

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2.3 Major Players of the State

Top-rated Hotels & Travel Accommodation companies hiring near Himachal Pradesh include OYO
with an employee rating of 3.4 out of 5, First Student rated 4.0 out of 5, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
with a rating of 4.3 out of 5, Hyatt with a 4.0 out of 5, and Marriott International rated 4.0 out of 5
by employees.

2.4 Marketing Strategies of the Hotels/etc.

There are a number of hotel marketing strategies that can be implemented at almost any time,
regardless of external circumstances.

1. Go Live With a Great Website

Your website is the most important distribution for your business and the crux of any good online
marketing strategy. No matter which hotel marketing tactic has directed a potential customer to your
website, this is the place where people can learn more about your individual business and decide
whether or not to book a stay with you. It’s also the only online distribution channel where you can
generate direct online sales, so it’s crucial your website has a booking engine to handle self-service
reservations. As more internet users rely solely on their smartphones and tablets, a mobile-friendly
website is necessity these days.

2. Follow the SEO Staples

There’s no point in having a website if it’s difficult for potential customers to find via their
preferred search engine. Make sure you’re following SEO (Search Engine Optimization) online
marketing basics like ensuring your content is rich and relevant, with strong keywords and keyword
combinations that give your website the best chance of being clicked upon. Consider likely search
terms when planning your hotel marketing SEO campaigns and don’t forget to combine your main
keywords with strong secondary ones like the name of your local neighborhood or district.

3. Differentiate Yourself from the Rest

To really contend with the competition, your hotel needs to offer something unique and distinctly
different to entice potential guests. Your hotel marketing campaign needs to be equally individual.
Quality customer care needs to be at the core of everything in the hotel and hospitality industry.
Going that extra mile for your guests can yield massive returns. Make sure you’re doing something

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 different, from providing customers with a little treat at check-in, to nabbing local press and PR
connections to shine a light on hotel marketing events.

4. Get Recommended by Real Authority

One surefire way of securing new customers is to get your hotel listed with local tourist offices.
Whether it’s a printed flyer in bricks and mortar office, or a prominent link on a local tourism
website, you’re guaranteed to take premier listing over many rival competitors. If you’re looking to
appeal to the business traveler, nearby convention and exhibition centers are also a great place to
promote your hotel. It’s also worth talking to local marketing and event companies in the region as
many of these may only offer part-package deals to their own customers, meaning you can cover the
accommodation needs and bolster your bookings in quieter seasons.

5. Promote Yourself with Online Travel Agencies

In the modern digital age, no hotel can secure regular business without capitalizing on online travel
agencies and travel brokers. A simple listing can generate thousands of bookings in the long term,
but it’s worth remembering that each time a booking is generated through such an agency, a
commission will be applied. Never rely solely on online travel agencies when it comes to your hotel
marketing efforts, ensuring such websites are used to generate additional sales, rather replace your
direct sales efforts entirely.

6. Global Distribution Systems

A GDS system (Global Distribution System) is a network that enables automated transactions
between travel service providers (airlines, hotels, cruises and car rental) and travel agencies. When
connecting your hotel to a GDS provider your hotel can be booked via hundreds of travel agencies
worldwide. You can also use such systems to target specific travellers, including those venturing
from home turf on business.

7. Appoint a Sales Rep and Reap the Rewards

When it comes to hotel marketing strategies, you should always take the best practice
in hospitality out into the field when promoting your business. If a local business is regularly
recommending you to potential customers, make sure you’re maintaining a mutually beneficial
relationship with strong incentives. Appointing a dedicated sales representative is definitely worth
considering for hotel businesses looking to expand. Any good rep should be taking stock of
potential companies in the area worth making a connection with, while ongoing procurement efforts
to lock down new partnerships should be at the forefront of any hotel marketing effort.

8. Get Savvy with Social Media

If you’re not utilizing social media in your online hotel marketing campaign, start now. It’s free to
create accounts with the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Four-square, Instagram and YouTube and it’s
never been easier to create dynamic social media pages in moments. However, there’s no point in
launching a social media presence if you don’t mean to maintain it. Make sure you’ve got at least
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 one person appointed to keep your hotel marketing social media message live and engaging. Fresh
content is pivotal, so make sure you’ve got a content delivery schedule.

9. Keep an Eye on Reviews and Recommendations

A great review can earn you a new customer. A poor review can cost you hundreds. Try to
encourage better reviews and recommendations from previous guests by engaging them after
checking out. Your hotel could feature dozens, if not hundreds of times on review websites, so you
need to ensure that each page is loaded with positive reviews and complimentary content. Monitor
reviews on the most popular sites, taking note of any bad reviews and engaging dissatisfied guests
with helpful and constructive feedback. Neutralize negative feedback wherever you can..

10. Personalization Marketing

For hotel owners and others operating in the hospitality industry, it is essential to find ways to stand
out from rivals and appeal to potential customers. One of the best ways to do this is to deliver
tailored, individual marketing messages. In the article, you will find out more about how to achieve
this through personalization marketing and learn about some of the ways this concept can improve
marketing efforts and revenue generation.

11. Invest More during High Season

One of the most important hotel marketing strategies to capitalize on can be summarized by the
saying ‘make hay while the sun shines. Through historic and on-the-books data, hotels should be
able to determine precisely when their peak season is, but also when customers are most likely to
actually book hotels for that peak season.

For example, it may be that the peak season is in the height of the summer, and the majority of
those bookings are made in the early spring. Regardless, it is important to invest more in ad
spending and other marketing strategies in accordance with when bookings are most likely to be
made, as this helps you to maximize your peak season earnings.

12. Make Sure to Know Your OTAs Inside-Out

Most modern hotel marketing strategies will try to get the most from online travel agents, with two
of the biggest examples being Booking.com and Expedia. Regardless of the OTAs being used,
however, it is essential that hotel marketers take the necessary steps to optimize their online listings.

2.5 Eight beautiful homestays in Himachal Pradesh

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 Pinewood Sunrise, Kasauli

Just about an hour away from the busy town of Kasauli is this quiet home that offers all the solitude
you need. Be ready to check out from your daily routine; there's no Wi-Fi or television here. But
there are other things you may get hooked on to—scenic views of the majestic Dhauladhar range of
the Himalayas and the perfume of pine trees. Soak in the magic from the spacious living room,
bedroom, fully equipped kitchen or the best part of the home—the sprawling terrace. From the lap
of the Himalayas, the home will take you on a tour around the world. The hosts have decorated it
with souvenirs from their travels all over—Afghan cushions, Iranian Tabriz carpets, a Russian vase,
Japanese coffee service, Italian chinaware and Polish crystal wine glasses. Spend your evenings
snuggling up by the fireplace or savoring some fresh barbeque off the grill. Doubles from Rs10,011
per night.

Sanjiv' Aira Holme Retreat, Shimla

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 Tucked away in the quiet pocket of Chotta Shimla, Sanjiv's Aira Holme Retreat is a 10-minute drive
from the city center. The house served as a billiards room in 1920, before the owner Sanjiv and her
husband, Birinder “Billy” Singh opened doors to guests in 2012. The homestay is now run by Billy
and their daughter in her memory. The two rooms with ensuite bathrooms boast sit outs that offer
serene views of the mountains and deodars swaying in the breeze. Laze around in the manicured
gardens, read a book in the cozy attic or play a game of catch with the three friendly doggies.
Doubles from Rs6,000, including breakfast. Note: The owners are following a strict screening
process to ensure safety of their guests. The two rooms are now only being let out to people from
the same family or group. 

Nabokov's Cottage, Jibhi

In Tandi village, about 8km from Jibhi market, sits this gorgeous wooden home on the mountain's
edge. Peek out and all you will see is pine forests shrouded in mist and blue skies beyond. The cosy
two-bedroom home is kitted out with a desk indoors as well as one in the patio, giving you plenty of
space to work from. You will also receive two dongles of Airtel and Jio, so you're never run out of
connection. Go on a guided walk with the warm and friendly host of the home, Daleep, along the
surrounding apple and pear orchards or wheat and maize fields. Sip on some wine on the lawn as
you snuggle under Himachal's starry skies or play a game of catch with Nabokov, the friendly dog
whom the home is named after. From Rs4,999 for the entire cottage that accommodates four people,
including breakfast.

Darang Tea Estate, Kangra Valley

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 The 150-year-old home of Neeru and Naveen Bhandari might just be the place to isolate from the
world. On 70 acres, there are just four cottages adorned with bougainvillea, and each with private
verandahs that overlook the majestic Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. There are over 500 books
you can borrow from a small library at the estate should you wish to curl up and read by the
fireplace. Savour food and juices made from fresh home-grown vegetables and fruits. Stroll around
the tea gardens, while you're serenaded with the gurgling of mountain streams. Don't forget to slot
in some play time with Casper, Diana and Brandy, the friendly resident dogs. The cottages range
from Rs4,000 to Rs9,000 depending on the number of guests. The property is about 24km from
Gaggal Airport.

Taara House, Manali

Fancy working from paradise? This charming chalet sits on a 6,600ft hilltop and boasts a dining
room with a glass ceiling and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. With never-ending views of the
Himalayas and pine forests, you won't find the need to fake your Zoom background ever again. The
chic two-bedroom homestay in Manali is crafted from Burma teak, English oak and pine wood and
is kitted out with Scandinavian lights, customized furniture by Anthologies Design and a fine art
collection. Feast on a Kashmiri, Indian or Italian meal by the in-house cook. Curl up by the
fireplace or gaze at Himachal's starry skies through the glass ceiling. Maybe this is what heaven
looks like. Starts from Rs16,000 for the entire chalet with two rooms.

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 The Mirage at Andretta, Dharamshala

Set against the backdrop of the Dhauladhar range and the Shivalik Hills, The Mirage is an ideal
escape for art cognoscente. The home is located just down the path from the artist's colony of
Andretta near Palampur. The first stone for the colony was laid 75 years ago by theatre personality
Norah Richards, when she acquired the land from the District Commissioner of Kangra. Besides a
residential for students of the art, the home stay has grown to include yoga enthusiasts and theatre
groups as well. The property has three cottages with eclectic bedrooms decorated with curios and
accompanied by a living, dining and reading room, and a kitchenette. During your down time, wind
down in the heated pool or swimming pool or just sit back and watch the sleepy town go by.
Doubles from Rs6,300 for a room and Rs26,000 for the entire cottage with four rooms. 

Meena Bagh, Ratnari

Delhi's poor air quality prodded photographer Sanjay Austa to quit the city life and rat race and
move to Himachal Pradesh in 2017. About 80km from the busy town of Shimla, he built this

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 beautiful dream abode nestled in the apple orchards of Ratnari. So that other people could
experience the magic of the mountain town, Austa opened up this slice of paradise to guests. The
eco-friendly Himachali home crafted from waste wood and mud-plastered walls features four
rooms, an attic, lounging areas and single beds, which can accommodate a big party of 15 people.
Dogs, cats, hen, lamb—you will never be out of company at this home. Enjoy a romantic, star-lit
dinner under the glass-roof ceiling or get a closer look at the skies with the telescope in the living
room of this homestay in Ratnari. Starts from Rs31,000 for the entire four-bedroom home.

The Luxurious Penthouse, Naggar

With swanky furniture, brick walls and warm wooden interiors, this two-bedroom homestay in
Himachal offers luxury in the lap of the Himalayas. The abode sports sizable windows throughout,
so the outside always finds its way inside here. Pick apples and plums from the gardens, rejuvenate
your mind, body and soul with a session of yoga or request your host, Chandan, to arrange for a
trekking or fishing excursion close by. From Rs10,000 for two rooms and an attic that can
accommodate 6 people.

Naggarville, Manali

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 To spend quality time with a loved one or to catch up on some reading time, head to this traditional
Himachali abode with a lovely garden. The pièce de résistance at this home is the wooden staircase
that leads to a snug attic that opens up to sweeping views of the Himalayas. Doubles from Rs4,899.

Seetalvan Orchard, Shimla

Located on the slopes of the village-town of Kotgarh-Thanedar, this cottage-style resort is located in
an apple orchard. The perimeter is covered by a dense cover of deodar trees which gives in to
stunning views of the western Himalayan ranges. Couple that with the Himalayan-style wood and
stone rooms, and you’ve got yourself a wholesome burrow in the heart of the hills. Binge on pizzas
baked in a wood-fired oven and other dishes prepared from produce fresh off the property’s farms.
The common lounge has a television, a DVD player and board games. Bask in the sun at the patio,
or if it’s a work-from-home day, take a breather on the private balcony adjoining your room.
Cleaning services are provided with the accommodation and laundry services are available at an
additional charge.

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2.6 Services provided by Hotels

Basic services of hotel business

Two basic services provided by a hotel are room and board. Thus, room (or the official term
hotel accommodation) is the main service of the enterprise that belong to hotel business.
Checking-in and checking-out are held round-the-clock. Besides providing an accommodation
for temporary staying, related services such as changing bedclothes, giving towels and hygiene
items, the opportunity to use appliances and TV set, cleaning and sanitation are available. All
these services are included into the cost of a hotel room in accordance with contractual
obligations.

Meals are provided by dining facilities, restaurant, and cafes, bars that work in a hotel or in
collaboration with it. Foods can be also delivered to a hotel room.

Additional services provided by a hotel

To attract more clients to a hotel additional paid or unpaid services are often available. They
could be different entertainments, personal services, services for families, business or VIP
clients that are often provided in the form of packages. Attractive additional services provided
by a hotel are able to fill the season of low demand, to increase profit and improve image.
The most common additional services:

 clothing and footwear repairing, laundry and dry-cleaner;

 hairdresser;
 bath, sauna, swimming-pool;
 billiards, gym and playgrounds;
 delivery of flowers and gifts;
 using a luggage locker or a safety deposit box;
 sports equipment and household appliances rentals;
 car rental;
 calling a taxi;
 tickets sale service for transportation and various events;
 getting a booking in a restaurant;

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 guided tour service;
 Renting of a conference-hall or other premises.
Hotel management defines the final list of additional services provided by a hotel taking into
account the size of the object, its location, target audience and the competitive situation.

Paid and Unpaid Services

When you plan your business, it is important to consider the kind of services you are going to
provide the clients with and if they are paid or unpaid services.

Basic unpaid hotel services are enshrined in legislation:

 waking by a certain time;

 delivery of personal letters to a hotel room if they are sent to the hotel address;
 calling an ambulance if it is needed;
 using first aid kit;
 Providing a set of dishes, boiling water, scissors, a needle and thread.
Besides, the owner of a hotel can provide the other unpaid services at his own discretion,
depending on profitability, seasonality, competitive environment and other factors.

It is important to remember that if you provide only unpaid basic services, ratings are down. If
the competitive rate is higher, you should anticipate the expectations of guests and improve the
services at a hotel in accordance with new developments. For instance, if you constantly
charged for the internet service, now it is often considered unpaid one; the hotels, which do not
provide it, will have fewer clients. According to the guests, it is bad form to charge for useful
information such as advice on transportation, the events in the city, the location of the sights
etc. That heightened the imbalance between the hotel profitability (through the increased
occupancy of a hotel) and the necessity to add new unpaid hotel services!

Nevertheless, it is actually a business venture and no services provided may be free of charge.
Paid services are also in demand, but it is not only to stay in a hotel room.

The most common hotel paid services:

 staying in a hotel room;

 meals;

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 clothing and footwear repairing, dry cleaner;
 recreational and rehabilitative services;
 sale of souvenirs and printed products;
 currency exchange;
 Renting of premises.

Transportation

3.1 Facilities

A popular tourist destination in North India, Himachal Pradesh is also easily accessible and boasts
good air, rail, and road connectivity. The state is home to UNESCO recognized World Heritage
Site Kalka-Shimla Toy Train. It is also well-connected to various national and state highways and
has an excellent roadways transport arrangement.

By Air

Himachal has 3 operational domestic airports namely, Jubbarhatti Airport near Shimla, Bhuntar
Airport near Manali and lastly Gaggal Airport in Kangra. One can easily get a flight from Delhi to
any of these airports. Flying to Himachal cuts off the travelling time to more than half, making it an
easy and comfortable way of transfer. The nearest international airports to Himachal are at
Chandigarh and Delhi.

By Train

Due to the mountainous terrains, only a few places in Himachal have rail connectivity. The Kangra
Valley Railway is a major railway connect serving from Pathankot in Punjab to Jogindernagar in
Himachal. From here one could hire a taxi or travel on a local bus to reach their required
destination.

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 Another scenic rail route is the Kalka (Haryana)- Shimla (Himachal) rail connect. The toy train
running on this route has been declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and why not? It
passes through 102 tunnels, runs for approx. 96 km and has 900 curves. Moving through the lush
green mountains and enchanting valleys, travelling in it is indeed a treat to one's eye. If opting for
this route, one can reach Shimla in around 6 hours. It passes through some passenger stations,
namely Solan, Barog, Totu, and Tara Devi, etc.

Other trains that operate on the Kalka-Shimla route are- Rail Motor Car (14 passengers), Shimla
Express, Himalayan Queen, Shimla Kalka Passenger and Shivalik Deluxe Express

By Road
The easiest hence the most preferable way of reaching Himachal is via road. There are HRTC buses
as well as private buses operating from Delhi's Kashmere Gate ISBT, Majnu Ka Teela and Anand
Vihar ISBT providing with 8-18 hours overnight journeys to Himachal. The buses directly take you
to the main areas of Himachal such as Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Aut, Bhuntar etc. From here
you can take a taxi or hop on to a local bus and reach desired destinations in Himachal Pradesh.
There are around 20 national highways including NH-1A that connects Himachal to many cities and
towns of India. Numerous state highways also boast excellent internal connectivity in Himachal
Pradesh.

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3.2 Expected Travel Budget

Factor Affecting the Tour Package Formulation

Generally, the business of package tours involves great risk, high breakeven, high-quality product,
and competitive prices. Therefore, the tour management requires in-depth tour planning and market
survey. However, before a tour is designed the tour manager should take into consideration certain
factors which are crucial in the formulation process. These factors have a profound impact on the
tourist’s satisfaction. The main factors are:

 Purpose of Tour

 Choice of Destinations

 Tourist Budget

 Legal Requirement

 Types of Tourist Accommodation

 Tour Period

 Departure and stay information

 Tour price; inflationary condition

 Tour Reference Tools

 Tour Features – political stability

 The relationship between the host and tourist generating nation

Tour Package Design and Selection Process

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 The quality of a package tour is entirely based on the above factors. Essentially, to design/formulate
a travel product, the tour manager has to take the biggest responsibility, intuitiveness, imagination,
and innovation coupled with a lot of business activities which range from finding new exotic
destinations and planning, organizing or promoting such tour.

The following are the main stages in the tour design and selection process:

1. Initial Research

(i) The Destination Research

The decision to develop and formulate a new package is a multi-stage process that involves various
positive and negative points/steps. Normally, the idea for a new product comes either from the tour
executive within the company due to a review of the questionnaire completed by the previous tour
members because of the political, economic and social development in a particular area.

When a tour manager see that a large number of old clients are interested in taking a trip to
particular destinations, naturally, those destinations become the nucleus of a new ‘tour concept’.

(ii) Market Research

Since tour package is a complete tourism product, obviously, before formulating/designing this
product, market research needs to be analyzed and assessed in a systematic manner.

Market research provides us the answer to the following questions:

 What is the size of the tourism market?

 Who are the existing clients?

 Where do they live?

 Who will be their potential buyers?

 Who are their competitors – their strategy and area of business leisure?

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  How many tourist ones want to cater?

 What price will the clients accept?

 What facilities are available and required?

 What are the constraints viz., license, permission, finance, restrictions, taxes, and others?

Once we know the basic components of the package tour, distribution channels, market conditions,
constraints in the tourism market, we can develop the marketing strategy. It enables the smooth
functioning of the agency and also offers a clear picture of the tour programmed. Practically, market
research is conducted by the private tour companies/ private tourism enterprises in order to
penetrate the market.

2. Itinerary Preparation

By itinerary one means the designing of a programme which one wants to sell and it includes
destinations, stopping points, number of days and the travel services that are to be included in the
programme. Whether it is a lean season or an offseason, escorted or not escorted, consumer-oriented
or readymade tour programme, the itinerary is prepared to identify the origin, destinations, stopping
points, accommodations, sightseeing and other travel services on travelers’ trip.

3. Handling Agency or Destination Company

The appointment of handling agency not only ensure excellent travel services to the tourist but also
make the operation smooth and profitable. It is a matter of great significance as the success of travel
business largely depends upon the clients are actually taken care of during the tour.

It is a positive match between the promised services and tourist’s actual experiences or feelings.
Thus, the tour operator should consider the experience of the handling travel agency in the business,
the area of operation, reputation, credibility, professional staff, credit facilities and the competitive
price in appointing a handling agency.

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 4. Negotiation

It is another important management decision area in tour designing and planning. Once the decision
has been made regarding the destination’s concerning their date, duration and number of clients to
be carried during the trip, the tour management starts negotiations with the principals’ suppliers for
a normal contract.

Negotiation means talk between the travel companies and the principal suppliers for the terms,
conditions, and prices of the components of a tour package. When both parties are satisfied, it leads
to a formal or informal contract between them. The tour company negotiates with the following tour
vendors/suppliers:

 Airlines

 Accommodation

 Transport Operations- Rail and Road

 Ground Operators

 Cruise Companies

 Car Rental Companies

 The overseas representatives

 Ancillary Service Organizations

5. Coasting and Pricing a Package Tour

The cost of a package tour encompasses the air ticket, the hotel room, car rental, entertainment
charges, administrative costs, promotional costs, and other travel services. The confidential tariff
helps the travel company in preparing the cost sheet which will enable the concern to determine its
price strategy.

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 Tour pricing is a big factor in the success of the company’s tour programme. The price of a package
tour is, whether it is an escorted, independent or hosted the tour, often lower than the combined
costs of the same components purchased separately from the principals. However, the purchase
price of a travel product is based on three factors: Cost, competition, and demand. Every tour
package sold by a vendor has a quantifiable cost. To produce profit the price paid by the tourists
must be greater than the agency’s cost.

6. Tour Brochure

The tour package is an intangible product which has to be purchased by the tourists/clients without
inspection and sometimes even without adequate knowledge. In these circumstances, the brochure
becomes the principal instrument to perform the major tasks to inform the clients about the products
and to pursue them to purchase it.

Designing, printing, and distributions of tour brochures require necessary skills and knowledge
about the components of the tour package. Basically, in the era of specialization and intense
competition, tour brochure creates awareness and provides the description of the holiday program.

Thus, tour management should consider various pros and cons while preparing a tour brochure.

A brochure should contain the following information:

 Name of the Travel Company

 Means of transport

 Details about destinations

 Itinerary

 Accommodation, types, location, meals

 Name of the overseas representative

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  Duration of each tour

 Booking, reservation and cancellation conditions

 Details of other services – insurance, currency, entertainment Travel documents required

 Details of price

7. Development of Reservation System

The next step in tour formulation process is reservation system. The agency management in order to
put a package into operation must develop and implement a scientific reservation system. The
system depends on whether the reservation is to be handled manually or with a computer working
on the distribution method.

Whatever method the agency may adopt, the agency management should always keep in mind the
sole objective of the reservation system.

8. Marketing of Tour Package

Once a tour package is ready, travel agency management has to make a careful decision regarding
promotion and marketing of the particular package tour. The basic objective of management is to
make a tour package widely known to make it more and more attractive.

To achieve these objectives, the management must consider the budget available, promotion mix,
potential market, easiest and most effective media, campaigning through the international, regional
or the public/private sector etc.

The promotion of a package tour means increasing its sales potential and creating an awareness of
the existing and potential markets. The following methods are commonly used to promote package
tours:

 Middlemen – Retail Travel Agents, GSA, consolidators

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  Familiarization tours

 Building Brand Loyalty

 Encouraging Potential Buyers

 Competitive Market

 Courier

9. Tour Handling/Actual Tour Operation

After the successful marketing and achieving target sales, the next and final step in the process of
tour designing is tour handling. It means an actual operation of tours, which generally includes
administrative work and passenger handling like maintaining reservations, handling deposits,
sending advice to ground operators, arranging travel representation, analyzing the feedback received
from clients/escorts/ground operator and so on. All this is not an easy task. At every stage, one has
to face different types of queries and problems due to lack of coordination and communication.

3.3 Route
The state of Himachal Pradesh is one of the preferred places of recreation and tourist interest in
India. It lies calmly on the foothills of the Himalayas. Increase in the tourist activity has led to
the growth of communication network in the state.
The state is easily accessible from any part of the country and how to reach Himachal Pradesh
is not a problem.
By Air
The state of Himachal Pradesh has three airports located at Bhuntar near Kullu and Manali,
Gaggal Airport near Dharamshala and Jubbarhatti Airport near Shimla.
By Train
The state has railway station in all the major cities. The railway stations at Shimla, Jammu, and
Palampur are particularly popular and receive trains from all parts of the country.
Note: There are no direct trains to Himachal from Mumbai, Kolkata or other important cities of
the country. One needs to change trains at New Delhi.
By Road

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 The state has a well-developed network of roads and is connected to all the major cities of the
North India. Chandigarh is located at a distance of only 117 kms whereas; Delhi is situated at a
distance of 343 km.
One needs to travel 151 km to reach the city of Ambala. Himachal Pradesh Road Transport
(HRTC) runs several buses to and from the state to the neighboring cities and states. National
Highway 1-A, National Highway-20, National Highway 21, National Highway 21-A, National
Highway-22, National Highway-70, National Highway -72, National Highway73-A and
National Highway 88 connect to the state of Himachal Pradesh.

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 Attractions

4.1 Tourists Spots and Destinations

1. Shoghi Tourism

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 While Shimla is being flooded by tourists every year, a serene, calm and epitome of beauty lies
near it, waiting to be discovered. Shoghi, a small hill station just 13 Kms. from Shimla is
abundant in natural scenic beauty and a large variety of flora and fauna.
This small town offers from attractive old temples to adrenaline-teasing activities and its
famous fruit made products. Amazing weather throughout the year, perfect accommodation
facilities in the vicinity and just right surrounding to rejuvenate your mind, all contributes to
make your vacation to this stunning place a dream come true.
2. Barot, Mandi 

Barot is a mesmerizingly beautiful village located in the serene valleys of Mandi District
(67km away) in Himachal Pradesh. It is a newfound tourist destination and remains quite
secluded. It is popular for trekking, camping and trout fishing. The scenic landscapes and
pollution-free environment along with the Uhl river flowing by are what beckons tourists to
Barot. It is ideal for solo travel as well as a family vacation.
Barot valley is the gateway to Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary which is home black bear, ghoral and
monal. The valley came into the limelight when the Shanan Hydroelectric Project was
proposed around 1920 in India. It was mainly to utilize the hydroelectric potential of River Uhl
that gushes between Barot and Jogindernagar. It is since then that the village has also been
considered as a tourist destination, but not many know about this place. The forests around the
village are mostly Deodar and Oak that grow in abundance in the region and is home to a
variety of flora and fauna. One can choose to walk through the woods nearby and experience
the charm of the village,
3. Chitkul, Sangla

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 Chitkul is said to be the last inhabited village within the Indian boundaries on the old Indo-
Tibetan Road. Situated at the height of 3450 meters, the village is located at a distance of 28
km from Sangla, about 600 kilometers from Delhi in the Kinnaur Valley. It is like a doorway
which opens into an exquisite landscape of breathtaking beauty and a serene environment.
There are orchids, mountains, meadows, huge rocks, river, jungle, and grasslands in the village
with the help of which it has made a unique identity for itself. A drive to the Chitkul village is
pleasant. One can go for trekking in the forest as well and a wildlife sanctuary for all the
wildlife as well as nature lovers out there.
The journey to Chitkul is altogether different experience in itself. It is sparsely populated with
as many as 600 locals who are warm, loving and extremely hospitable towards the tourists.
While travelling to the valley, you will see River Baspa on your right and on the way you will
also pass through the Rakcham village which is commonly known as the model village of the
region. Numerous campsites are situated within the apple gardens by the side of the Baspa
River.

This little village is a must-visit place, and one should stay for at least  a day here as the
landscape keeps you magnetized all the time. It is a perfect place to spend some time off from
the busy lives and the monotonous routines in the realm of natural beauty,
4. Pabbar Valley, Shoghi

Pabbar Valley, the enchanting valley of the Pabbar River is located just 80 kilometers away
from Shimla. Nature is seen thriving in abundance in this quaint little region of Himachal. The
valley is located in the belt famous for the Pabbar River that cuts through the Chanshal
Mountain Range, apple orchards, majestic mountains, lush green meadows, dense oak &
deodar forests. The valley terrain also is quite an attraction for adventure seekers. The densely
covered slopes of the mountains provide for exciting trails waiting to be explored by
adventurers that flock every year. The valley, therefore, is not just perfect for sightseeing but is
also an excellent spot for nature and adventure lovers.
5. Kothi, Manali

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 Kothi is a quaint village located about 15 kilometers away from Manali on the foothills of
Rohtang Pass. A perfect camping destination, it draws tourists for adventure and recreational
activities from all across the world. The magnificent view of the natural landscape surrounding
the Kothi village enchants everyone exploring the location. Most trekkers  on their way to
Rohtang Pass often camp here. One can get a beautiful view of the snow-capped mountain
peaks, River Beas and the glaciers. The breathtaking sight is worth witnessing and capturing in
photographs.
Kothi Village lies at an altitude of about 2600 meters above sea level. Other than campers and
trekkers, it is also frequently visited by artists who seek inspiration and peace of mind. The
scenic beauty of the location has also been featured in several poems written by famous poets,
by writers who cannot get enough of the beautiful village and has also been featured in
Bollywood movies. Kothi is also a perfect location for painters as the natural landscape has a
number of majestic frames to offer. The region receives snowfall during winters but is not as
crowded as the Solang Valley. Thus, it is a perfect escape from the overcrowded areas of
Manali that tourists can explore.
6. Hatkoti, Shimla

105 Kilometers east of Shimla lies the quaint village of Parhaat. Near this village and on the
banks of the babbling river Pabar is the stunning valley of Hatkoti. This valley of stone temples
is as preternatural and peculiar as it is ancient. Hatkoti has always been a place that brings
together several individuals and tourists due to its unique architecture and religious

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 importance. The valley lies in the Jubbal Tehsil and provides some of the best views as it is set
against the colossal Himalayan Ranges. The Hatkoti Valley is mainly visited by the locals as a
day trip from Shimla and is a popular pilgrimage spot, religious symbol as well as a sanctuary
for those wishing to make themselves one with nature.
Near Hatkoti, the river Pabar is joined by two tributaries called the Bishkuti and Raanvti. This
joining of the three rivers and formation of a junction along with the presence of the stone
temples themselves makes several individuals visit this place as part of a pilgrimage
worshipping the various gods who have temples dedicated here. Furthermore, the locals believe
that the river Bishkuti is poisoned due to its pale grey color, adding to the myth and marvel of
the Hatkoti Valley. The mountain ranges along with the lush green grassy slopes and the dense
forests that outline the area are vastly appreciated and well worth the travel.
7. Sirmour, Solan

Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Sirmour is a calm and tranquil district where still
more than 90% of people live in villages. The locals are very close to nature and hence this
place is untouched by industrialization. Sirmour includes towns of Nahan, Paonta Sahib and
Suketi and offers travellers picturesque landscapes, rocky hills to trek, serene lakes for boating
and beautifully built temples. Sirmour is also called the “Peach Bowl of India” because of the
high cultivation of peaches that is undertaken here. A lot of fruits and vegetables like apples,
ginger, potatoes, tomatoes, mangoes and peaches are grown here, so you can even carry some
of these fresh produces home.
8. Pragpur Village, Kangra

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 Pragpur is a heritage village situated near Kangra and houses the Judge's, Court Manor. The
largely unaltered village, complete with an old world charm of small red brick shops and
traditional rural houses is perfect for an undisturbed village tourism option. Reputed as India’s
first heritage village, the tourists are pulled towards the magnetic authenticity of its cobbled
streets, the ornamental village tank, slate-roofed and mud-plastered houses. Pragpur is also the
base for the famous Kangra School of Painting. From exploring the local crafts to taking a
stroll amidst the refreshing orchards, tourists visit this heritage village can be assured about
having a once in a lifetime experience. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
are working on preserving and running the village in the same ethnic rural backdrop for the
time to come. A variety of pocket-friendly accommodation options are available in the village.
9. Dhankar Village

Dhankar is a quaint little village nestled at an altitude of 12,774 feet above sea-level (3,894 m)
in the Spiti Valley. In its local dialect, the name translates to 'fort on a cliff'. Known for its
Monastery named after the village itself, the Dhankar Monastery overlooks the confluence of
the Pin River. The town offers a scenic spectacle of the mountains capes and bears a population
of not more than 50 people.
10. Kotkhai

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 Kotkhai is a small city snuggled in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. Standing at an
altitude of 1800 feet, the region is prominently known for its apple orchards. Some of the vital
Kotkhai highlights are the Kothai palace with its typical Tibetan architecture, the holy
Mahamai Temple and the Lankra Veer Temple. Kothai translates to 'the palace of the king
located on a cliff'.

Travel Agents

5.1 Online and Offline players

The travel industry in India is operating through two different modes, online and offline
respectively. The present study is the investigation into the future prospects of online retail in travel
industry in India. It involves the identification of the competitive strategies adopted by the tour
operators. The research further investigates the tour operator's perception towards 'Incredibl e India
campaign'. It was found that e-retail travel is a platform that is bringing two market forces the
demand and supply (tour operators and the customers) together, and both the parties are more
inclined towards online mode in near future. Tour operators are gaining by operating at low cost
and increasing their business reach while customers get what they desire as per their convenience.
Tour operators know the importance of 'Incredible India campaign' for the Indian tourism Industry
and they want to create the tourism brand as 'Incredible' through their services. The study is
limited within the geographical boundary of Delhi and NCR.

Tour and Travel Industry:

250+ tour operators are registered with the ministry of tourism (Website of tourism ministry), and
the major players in the industry are dealing online and are dominating the travel industry. The
major players of the industry are Thomas cook, Cox and Kings; make my trip, clear trip,
yatra.com and Expedia.

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 The tour operators whether online or offline offers a large number of services to the tourists
including customized package where the customer selects each element of the tour specific to his or
her need, designed standardized tour package, specialized tourism package and complete tour guide
package. Every solution is provided to the customers to make their travel a memorable one.
The tour operators in India are working through two different modes: offline and online. Big
brands with huge investment are dealing online and enjoying low cost benefits and huge profit
margins. While the small tour operators have carved out their niche and managing their profits by
dealing offline. Indians generally prefer offline mode that is the opportunity for small tour
operators. But the scenario is changing as with the usage of internet by the tour operators have
given convenience to the customers and now the customers of modern age have started
developing preference for online mode. So it is a challenging task for the tour operators as how
they select the medium, which mode they would adopt or they would adopt the combination of
both the mediums.
Few Travel Agencies in Himachal Pradesh:-
 Yatra Hptm.
 Go Trip India -Tour Operator.
 The Time Travels.
 Sai Country Trips.
 Easymytrip Holiday Pvt.ltd.
 Grand Himalaya Tours.
 J R Taxi Services.
 V. Himachal Shimla Manali TOUR AND Travels.

How tour operators work with other sectors of the travel industry!
Supply chain management 
Understanding supply chain management (SCM) is vital in understanding how tour operators work
with other sectors of the travel industry. SCM is the flow of goods and services from their raw,
original materials to the final product in the hands of the customers.

SCM is significant in the hospitality industry. Customer satisfaction is reliant on the services

presented to them while they are traveling. The food, housekeeping, and even the compliance at the
front desk are all factors that can make or break a visitor’s stay in a hotel. A hotel’s good providers
play an important role in a tourist’s overall experience. 

The Chain of Distribution

The chain of distribution is a term that describes the interconnectedness of principals, wholesalers,
retailers, and consumers. The inner workings of these elements are all dependent on each other to
run smoothly, and they all play a key role in the tourism industry.

You also need to consider different tourism distribution channels to reach different types of

travellers.

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 Principals

The principals are the basic elements being sold to the consumer. In the tourism industry, this
includes hotel rooms, transportation, activities, etc. 

Wholesalers

Wholesalers are the ones who gather the resources for the product to be sold. Understanding how to
become a travel wholesaler is essential for success. Tour operators fall into this category, for they
are the sector who organizes the principals into a package for a consumer.

Retailers

Retailers directly sell products to consumers. Travel agents serve as retailers because they sell tour
guide’s services, and many other services, directly to their clients.

Consumers

Consumers are the people who obtain the final product. In the travel industry, this is tourists. The
chain of distribution is complete once the consumer purchases the services. 

You can also check out the list of tourism industry registration/association to help you tap into the
industry as a new player.

Tour Operators

6.1 Customized Tours

The main goal or function of a tour operator is to organize the services being provided to the
customer, such as transportation and accommodations the tour operator is the brains behind the
beauty of vacation and they leverage their expertise and resources (provider databases or technology
like tour operator software).

Creating Tour Packages

The tour operator is responsible for creating and maintaining tour packages for

customers. Management of tour packages includes preparing activities that appeal to the specific

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 travelers embarking on the trip. The tour operator business plan should cover when and how to
modify a tour package to best adhere to the priorities of the group. 

Prepare Travel Arrangements 

In most cases, tour operators are expected to make travel arrangements for the group of people on
the tour. This includes transportation from one activity to another to ensure that all the group
members make it to the next destination. Tour operators often assist with flight tickets and work
closely with hotels to provide suggestions to the group members. 

Budgeting the Tour Operations

Tour operators work diligently to create tour packages that offer high-quality service to customers
for a cheaper price than if the customer was to book each commodity on their own, while also
creating a profitable business. Tourists purposely seek out help from a travel agent or tour operator
because it provides more bang for their buck. It is important that tour operators spend time on
evaluation of pricing before finalizing a tour package.

Providing a safe and enjoyable tour

A tour should be everything a traveler wants, and more. A tour operator should be very well versed
in putting together an experience that will create memories to last a lifetime. 

As important as it is to deliver a meaningful, positive experience, it is also vital to keep your

travelers safe throughout the trip. Some tour activities may pose a potential risk to travelers, which
poses a liability to your company.

As a tour operator, it is wise to encourage your traveler to invest in travel insurance, for
example, ABTA Travel Sure travelers insurance. Insurance will provide comfort to both you and
your client as they embark on adventures of a lifetime. 

What is the importance of travel and tourism?

The importance of travel for the economy

Tourism can spark economic growth in an area of high demand. Countries that are more prone to
tourism get an influx of wealth from visitors coming in and spending money on hotels, food,
souvenirs, and activities. Last year the tourism sector raised global GDP by $2,892 billion. 

Tourism supports communities that otherwise may not many other sources of income. Travel serves
as a reliable and steady source of income to remote areas with limited access to resources. 

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 Online booking platforms and online travel agencies boost the economy significantly, reaching a
sales revenue of 99 billion dollars in 2018. Overall, travel and tourism play a key role in keeping
money flowing across the globe.

Gaining a new perspective

Travel allows people to break free of their everyday lives and expose themselves to various
cultures, languages, customs, and ways of life. 

Venturing to a new landscape with new people can teach someone more than any picture book or
movie could teach. To engage in a different atmosphere can change your whole perspective of the
world and open your eyes to how different life is in places far from your hometown.

This integration of lifestyles can lead to a more understanding world, where people accept one
another and embrace differences. Travel helps eliminate the fear of the unknown and encourages
kindness worldwide.

Travel can protect the environment 

In the last few years, extreme efforts have been taken to make travel environmentally
friendly. Sustainable tourism promotes the protection of tour destinations. If done properly, travel
will leave a location unharmed, and maybe even better if the tour includes activities such as clean-
ups or planting trees. 

Tour operators have a corporate social responsibility to provide sustainable tour

packages .Sustainability does not have to come at the expense of an amazing trip, a tour operator
can plan in the customer’s and the world’s best interests.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it is concluded that tourism acts as one of the activity which helps in
generating the revenue easily. The tourism sector helps in the growth and development of state
economy. It is one of the important sector which boosts the economic growth, employment
opportunities and standard of living of the local community. The study reveals that tourism sector
acts as a motivator of economy for the hilly state and the period of study showed that there is an
increase in tourist inflow which enhances the income of people and also the revenue of the
state Government. It also helps in the overall development and growth of the state in the form of
infrastructural development, increase in employment, improved communication network and other
related amenities or facilities.

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 Thus, tourist is the key pin for the growth and development of the economy of an area whether
that is a state or nation.
The conclusion is that Himachal Pradesh is blessed with natural landmarks, places of worship
and other tourist attractions. Buddhist tourism has a heavy influence also in places such as
Kannur and Lahaul. As an industry, tourism receives political attention because it contributes
2% of the domestic output directly to the economy. The tourist inflow is increasing annually,
and the Government has come up with its roadmap for 2022, calling for the improvement of the
existing infrastructure to keep up with this rate of tourism traffic. The present study also shows
that the travel and tourism sector is one of the major and wildest developing sectors in the
State. It offers a good impetus for global economic growth with over 210 million worldwide
employees (WTTC, 2009). The Tourism industry is a vital component of indigenous, regional
and countrywide economies in some developed or developing countries and contributes
significantly to job production, GDP growth and external revenues.
It is quite clear that Himachal Pradesh has numerous local cuisines which are unique in
themselves. They are integral part of Himachali culture and must be included in menu of
different catering centers across the state and abroad also. The Dept. of Tourism, Himachal
Pradesh must play an active role in promotion of local cuisines not only for cultural tourism
development but also for conservation of ancestral recipes of different cuisines of Himachal
Pradesh. Similar responsibilities should be exhibited by local hotel owners, restaurant owners,
travel agents and local residents themselves.
Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth
and learning new ways to live. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora,
fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Responsible ecotourism includes
programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment,
and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. The analysis above indicates that the place
has vast potential to develop as an ecotourism spot. There are some difficulties or bottlenecks
in ecotourism. If these bottlenecks are taken care of, then the place can develop as an attractive
destination for ecotourism. This implies removing the constraints in terms of accessibility,
infrastructure, and quality of local service. Accessibility part includes facilitating physical
accessibility as well as accessibility in terms of information.
Ecotourism can be an important part of the economy of the region because as it is a tourist
destination and most of the tourists visit the region to spend their time to have a look at the
beauty of the tourist spots and to have a feel of the beautiful and natural environment. But at
the same time there can be some threats, which need to be taken care of. The most important of
which are threat to the environment and ecology itself and the threat to the socio-cultural fabric
of the region. To overcome these threats several steps can be taken so that the whole concept of
ecotourism can be implemented in a better way and can contribute its best to the region. In
addition several initiatives have to be taken on the part of tourists and local people to promote
creation of economic opportunities for local communities and to protect the environment.

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 Bibliography

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 https://wiki.otelms.com/en/post/types-of-hotel-services/
 https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/himachal/travel-by-road.html
 https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/himachalpradesh/himachalpradesh-travel-map.htm
 http://stravelandtourism.weebly.com/travel-agents.html
 https://www.hotelmize.com/blog/the-necessary-importance-of-tour-operators-in-the-
tourism-industry/
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
336956478_GROWTH_AND_DEVELOPMENT_A_STUDY_OF_TOURISM_INDUSTRY
_OF_HIMACHAL_PRADESH
 https://himachaltourism.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Himachal-Pradesh-Tourism-
Policy-2019.pdf
 https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2020-07/Himachal%20Pradesh%20Final
%20Report_%20new.pdf
 https://www.holidify.com/collections/offbeat-villages-in-himachal

Thank you

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