16 Different Types of Tourism in India

Do you know that India has one of the world’s seven wonders? Yes, it’s the incredible Taj Mahal in Agra, Delhi. According to last year’s statistics, India ranked 34th out of 140 countries. It’s the pride of Indians. This article explains different types of tourism in India and the best places to visit.

The tourism industry has become the fastest-growing industry in the world. In India, many types of tourism play a major economic role in rapid development.

India in South Asia has a wide variety of tourism branches. The Ministry of Tourism and the state government have identified many niche products to attract tourists. The industry aims to develop India as the finest tourist destination globally. Let’s find out the important types of tourism in India.

1. Adventure Tourism 

Because of the diverse topography, India offers many types of adventure tourism. These trips can help you cut down on your monotonous urban life. Adventure tourism is one of the major forms of tourism. Many Indian tourism packages are available for these adventurous trips.

Types of Adventure Tourism in India

There are lots of adventure activities available, like –

Rafting or Kayaking, Caving, Heli-Skiing, Trekking, Waterfall Rappelling, Skydiving or Scuba diving, Paragliding, Hot Air Ballooning, etc.

Some adventurous tourist places are – 

• Wildlife Safari at Jim Corbett National Park, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench National Park.
• Treks in Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Kashmir.
• Motorbike expeditions on the Leh-Manali highway and through South and West India.
• River Rafting in Uttarakhand and the Kolad village.
• Scuba Diving in Port Blair, Andaman, Nicobar Islands, Goa, and Murudeshwar, Karnataka.
• Hot Air Ballooning ride in Jaipur, Rajasthan and Lonavala in Mumbai.
• Camping in Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh.

2. Wildlife Tourism

India is not only a diverse country but also a wildlife enthusiast. About 4% of India’s total land, 90 forests are national parks, and 482 are wildlife sanctuaries. As per statistics, India has 60-70% of the world’s biodiversity.

In these forests, you can find Asian elephants, Asiatic lions, Royal Bengal tigers, sloth bears, Indian rhinos and leopards, etc. There are hundreds of bird species found in sanctuaries/ jungles. These places became the best tourist spots for birdwatching. Wildlife tourism areas:-

• Jim Corbett National Park (Uttaranchal),
• Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh,
• Kaziranga National Park – Assam
• Gir National Park in Sasan Gir (Gujarat),
• The Great Himalayan National Park – Himachal Pradesh
• Sundarbans National Park – West Bengal
• Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, especially for bird species.

3. Eco-Tourism

India, a country of diverse geography, offers several tourist destinations that relieve stress and revitalise you.

There are many ways to enjoy nature. Places like the Himalayas, North-East India, Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep Islands offer spiritual ways to enjoy nature. This is called nature-based tourism.

Thenmala in Kerala is India’s first planned ecotourism destination for eco-tourists and nature lovers. There, you can be a part of several adventurous activities. Eco-tourism places are:-

• Kerala Backwaters
• Munnar, Kerala
• Coorg, Karnataka
• Galgibaga Beach, Goa
• Chilika, Odisha
• Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim
• Jotsoma village in Kohima, Nagaland
• Tea Gardens, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling
• Sunderban Tiger Reserve, Sunderban

4. Medical Tourism

In Medical tourism, international tourists come to our country for healthcare. In the meantime, they visit tourist places in that city/state. Global tourism is rapidly growing in India.

Recently, private hospitals have received a massive boost from medical tourism. Because of this demand, they have increased their total employment, transportation, etc. Travellers request medical services, including complex surgeries.

According to a Medical Tourism Market Report, India is the leading tourism destination for the highest quality Medical Treatment at the lowest cost.

In the last few years, Indian medical tourism has been estimated at $3 billion and is expected to reach $6-7 billion in the upcoming years. According to a CII-Grant Thornton report, 34% of medical tourists are from Bangladesh and Afghanistan, 30% from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the rest from Africa and the Middle East.

The most visited hospitals for Medical tourism are:-

• SRI RAMACHANDRA MEDICAL CENTRE (SRMC) – CHENNAI
• BLK Super Speciality Hospital, Pusa Road, New Delhi
• Fortis La Femme, Greater Kailash, New Delhi
• CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE VELLORE CHENNAI
• NARAYANA INSTITUTE OF CARDIAC SCIENCES (NICS) – BANGALORE
• TATA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Mumbai

5. Wellness Tourism

India is one of the top places in the world known for wellness. Popularity increases as people try to move towards a healthier lifestyle. Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurveda are the oldest and most effective ways of treatment. Both domestic and international tourists explore those methods.

Every year, many tourists from the United Kingdom come here to join these classes. Visitors are very concerned about the Visa Policy and Valid Passports because this process is time-consuming.

If you plan to relieve anxiety and revive emotions, we have compiled a list of top wellness destinations in India that you must visit. The places are:-

• Ayurvedagram Heritage Wellness Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Shreyas Yoga Retreat, Bengaluru, Karnataka
• The Leela, Kovalam, Kerala
• Sarovaram Ayurvedic Health Center, Ashtamudi, Kerala
• Vana, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
• Ananda in the Himalayas, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
• Devaaya, Goa
• Nimba Nature Cure, Mehsana, Gujarat
• Wildflower Hall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
• Amarvilas Spa, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

6. Cultural Tourism / Heritage Tourism in India

Cultural and religious India is the motherland of the world. The country is enriched with unique cultural vibrancy and various world heritage sites. It has historical significance as well. Those things attract travellers globally. Our Cultural and Heritage Tourist Attractions are:-

• Taj Mahal, New Delhi (One of the seven wonders of the world)
• Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh
• Mahabodhi Temple Bihar
• Red Fort, New Delhi
• Chittorgarh Fort and Kumbhalgarh Fort of Udaipur.
• Hampi Vijayanagara Empire, Karnataka
• Kolkata: The City Of Joy (the capital during British rule)
• Ajanta Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

7. Religious Tourism / Pilgrimage Tourism

India is called a ‘country of faith.’ You can find a spiritual environment all over the country. Dharma creates this environment; Karma carries and forgives. India is a secular country with multiple religions. We live here in ultimate peace and adequacy. For that reason, spiritual tourism has a vital role in tourism development.

The presence of many temples, mosques, gurdwaras, churches, and monasteries in India motivates travellers to come here. The most attractive Religious and Pilgrimage Tourism spots are:–

• Golden Temple/Swarn Mandir/Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar
• Kedarnath
• Badrinath
• Velankanni Church
• Varanasi
• Amarnath Cave
• Hemkund Sahib
• Sun Temple (Surya Mandir) in Konark
• Hampi
• Bodhgaya
• Leh
• Dargah Gharib Nawaz in Ajmer
• Vaishno Devi Temple
• Jammu Kashmir

8. Business Tourism

Like other travel destinations in India, business tourism plays a unique role. Nonstop flights from several foreign countries prove the potential of Indian business tourism. As a result, companies choose India to grow their business and hold meetings.

International companies want to spread their business in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Gurgaon, Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, etc.

9. Cruise Tourism 

In India, Cruise tourism is a growing niche tourism product. It encourages and attracts tourists with a specific interest. The Ministry of Tourism and state governments are developing infrastructure to foster cruise tourism in India. India’s vast and delightful coastline and virgin forests can be a place of interest for cruise travellers.

• The Golden Triangle Cruise from New Delhi
• Andaman Islands Glass Bottom Cruise
• Brahmaputra River Cruise from Guwahati
• Sunderbans Boat Cruise from Kolkata
• Kerala Backwater Cruise
• Ganges River Cruise from Kolkata
• Chilika Lake Cruise from Orissa
• Kochi Cruise
• Goa Cruise

10. Culinary Tourism

A decade ago, culinary travelling was still unknown in the Indian subcontinent. Famous for its distinctive taste and spice, Indian cuisine is renowned worldwide. With the evolution of the tourism sector in India, this is one of the niche tourist products on entry.

In India, cuisine can be divided into North Indian and South Indian food. We can subdivide it into regional sub-groups like Rajasthani, Chettinad, Bengali, Punjabi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Hyderabadi, Mughal, Kashmiri, and Bengali. The best food and beverage in India is:-

Indian thali, Biryani, Stuffed Paratha, Samosa, Masala Dosa, Palak Paneer or Sag Paneer, Chole Batura, Dum Aloo, Chaats, Rasgola, Gulab Jamun, Rasmalai, Jalebi, Gajar ka Halwa, Kulfi and lots more.

11. Dark Tourism

India’s complex history makes it the perfect choice for dark tourists. Dark tourism, a new type of tourism, includes India’s many travelling spots.

Dark tourism is connected with places that have experienced death, pain, and mystery. It is famous for those interested in history and wanting to discover dark, untold past stories. It might be deadly and terrifying, but the destination becomes popular because of its typical nature and experience. We have a list of several black tourist places in India; they are:-

• Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar
• Cellular Jail, Kala Pani, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Roopkund, Skeleton Lake, Uttarakhand
• Union Carbide subsidiary plant, Gas Tragedy, Bhopal
• Wagah border crossing point and ceremonies
• Taj Palace Hotel, Mumbai

12. Film Tourism

India is famous for its many tourism classifications, including medical tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and film tourism. The country has the world’s largest film producer, producing over 1800 films annually. Indian film is known as Bollywood.

We expect India to receive one million film tourists by the coming year. When viewers are persuaded to visit a particular location after watching a movie, they call it a ‘Filming destination or film tourism.’ Famous places are:-

• Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad
• India Gate, Delhi
• Marine Drive, Mumbai
• Fort Aguada, Goa
• Udaipur City Palace, Rajasthan
• Hadimba Mandir, Manali
• Munnar Tea Plantations, Kerala
• Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
• Rohtang Paas, Himachal Pradesh
• Pangong Lake, Ladakh
• Gulmarg, Kashmir
• Dakshineswar Kali Temple & Howrah Bridge, Kolkata

13. Sports Tourism

India always attracts tourists with its rich cultural heritage, food, and architectural wonders. But some years ago, no one thought sports could also attract foreign tourists.

Sports tourism has become the most important tourism service sector worldwide. Eventually, it spread nationwide and made a splash in India.

Adventure sports tourism is currently growing at about 12%, as announced by the Ministry of Tourism. Sports trade analysts predict this multi-trillion-dollar industry will show a massive bounce in the coming years.

The tourism industry in India has become an employment-generating sector. They focus on the infrastructure development of different types of tourism in India. Many internationally famous sports are organised here, like:-

• Commonwealth Games 2010
• Cricket World Cup 2011
• Men’s Hockey World Cup, AIBA
• Indian Premier League (IPL)
• Pro Kabaddi League
• Indian Super League
• Badminton World Federation (BWF) Tour Lucknow
• ICC Champions Trophy

Many internationally famous sports tourism places are 

• Rishikesh – White Water Rafting
• Rishikesh – Bungee Jumping
• Auli – Skiing
• Kasauli – Hang Gliding
• Ladakh – Trekking
• Gulmarg – Ice Climbing
• Andaman Islands – Scuba Diving
• Goa – Water Sports
• Pushkar – Hot Air Ballooning
• Mysore – Skydiving

14. Educational Tourism

India is an excellent destination for educational tourism. Our country offers a variety of possibilities and topics for students. Here, travellers can visit many astonishing and breathtaking monuments, such as the Taj Mahal, forts and palaces of Rajasthan, mausoleums and mosques, beautiful temples related to different religions of India, and old churches.

Similarly, visiting thousands of old rural villages and their houses, castles, palaces, and life stories would be an incredible experience.

So, an education tour in India will surprise students and give them a broad knowledge of the subject.

• Dholavira and Lothal, Gujarat
• Hampi, Karnataka
• Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan
• Rajasthan Tribal Villages Tour
• Treasure of Nature and Heritage Tour
• Medieval Heritage Tour
• Sun Temple Tour
• Mawlynnong, Meghalaya
• Kaziranga National Park, Assam
• Ajanta Ellora Caves Aurangabad
• Nalanda, Bihar
• Kolkata, West Bengal

15. Yoga school and retreat Tourism In India

Yoga is a healthy habit for daily life. Now, everybody wants to adopt this exercise. Yoga san has been practised in India since ancient times. It’s also mentioned in many Biblical books. Many yoga practitioners travel to India to learn and practice it correctly. Some include it at the top of their bucket lists.

The southern city of Mysore has accommodation for several schools that teach Kayakalpa yoga, Ashtanga yoga, and yoga ashrams found all over India. Tourists come here for weeks, months, or even years. They also complete a certificate program or a year-long training program. Some famous yoga schools in India are listed below.

• Kayakalpa yoga school in Tamil Nadu
• Ashtanga Institute
• Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute
• Bihar School of Yoga
• Yoga Institute Mumbai
• Parmarth Niketan
• Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram
• Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari

16. Recreation Tourism

One of the main goals of recreation tourism is a physical and intellectual renaissance in humans. Many people spend their vacations on recreational tourism. Tourists include themselves in physical activity, sports, cultural events, visiting castles, museums, wine testing, etc. Some places for recreational tourism in India.

• Goa – Watersports, Flyboarding, fishing, dolphin tours, cruising, island hopping, long walks.
• Sikkim – cable car ride, paragliding, yak safari, hot springs.
• Munnar – Treehouse, visit a tea plantation, go mountain biking, and go on a shikara ride.
• Coorg – Elephant Training Camp, Nalknad Palace, Madikeri Fort.
• Ooty – extract honey, sip tea, camping, nightlife.
• Darjeeling – trekking, taking a toy train, eating thukpas and momos, and shopping.
• Spiti Valley – fossil hunting, camping, stargazing, visiting Dhandar Lake, and visiting a monastery.

New Types of Tourism

Some new tourism sectors have emerged, such as Cruise Tourism, Sports Tourism, Film Tourism, Dark Tourism, and Culinary Tourism. Till today, those types of tourism industry have shown exemplary service under sustainable tourism.

Four main types of tourism in India

We can identify various types of tourism in India, but the four main types of tourism are popular: – 

1. Adventure Tourism
2. Medical Tourism
3. Cultural Tourism / Heritage Tourism India
4. Religious Tourism / Pilgrimage Tourism

Types of Tourism Resources in India

Over the years, India has become a major tourist destination. India has grown with a tremendous flow of tourists globally. Many types of tourism resources are available in India, such as natural resources, adventure, human culture, pilgrimage, wildlife, etc. Here, we talk about three types of tourism resources as 

• Natural resources
• Human resources
• Adventure resources

Natural Resources

India is enriched with minerals such as coal, iron, manganese, copper, and mica. In addition, we have natural forest resources like sandalwood trees in Karnataka, wood and wooden products, and Lac (sealing wax) in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Moreover, many rivers have flowed through India, so it is easy to generate hydroelectric power.

Human Resources

Human resources are important resources because they have reproducible ability. And India has the second-largest population in the world. So every kind of person is here. They have different thinking, creating, and inventing skills, which is very powerful for a country.

Adventure Resources

India has a diverse landscape; thus, the country has enormous options for adventure tourism, such as Safari, Trekking, Ice Skating, Paragliding, Scuba Diving, Climbing, and White Water Rafting.

Development of Different Types of Tourism in India

India is a top-rated tourist destination in the world. Every year, thousands of travellers come here for different types of tourism. India has unique types of tourism, constantly developing its industry, goods, and services. As per the statistics, India is an emerging tourist destination globally.

The country has taken more security action for the different tourism sectors, such as adventure tourism, medical tourism, sports tourism, etc.

India has various niche tourism industries, such as cruise tourism, culinary tourism, and dark tourism. The Ministry of Tourism in India and state governments are trying to boost all these tourism sectors by providing them with world-class facilities.

Importance of Tourism

Tourism is the movement of travellers from one destination to another. Tourists usually visit a place temporarily. The travel destination is mostly away from their living and workplace. In the destination, travellers get almost every service, such as a hotel, restaurant, transport facility, tour guide, tour operator, etc.

Tourism does not mean travelling to a particular place. It also includes all activities conducted while travelling. Tourism is most important for relieving stress.

Tourism in Kerala

Kerala is called “God’s own country”! It is on the alluring Malabar Coast of India. The rich and diverse culture of Kerala is known to all of us. When you come to Kerala, the natural beauty will amaze you. Thriving green wildlife, charming hill station, ancient Ayurveda healthcare method, unique dance forms, music, handicrafts, tourism products, and yummy veggie and non-veggie food will surprise you.

The state is one of the ten paradises in the world. The southern states of India have everything travellers need for travel. The worldwide backwaters of Alappuzha, Kovalam, and Varkala Beaches are lifetime experiences in the Kerala tour.

Kerala has the best wildlife sanctuaries and mountains in India. Moreover, Kerala has similarities with British, Chinese, Arabic, and Portuguese cultures, which you will find nowhere else in India.

Travelling to Kerala will revitalise your body and soul with its unique cultural and geographical features. This type of tourism in India is prevalent throughout the year.

Types of Tourism in Kerala

There are various kinds of Tourism packages found in Kerala, India. Such as

• Kerala Hill Station Tourism
• Kerala Beach Tourism
• Kerala Backwater Tourism
• Kerala Culture Tourism
• Kerala Home Stay Tourism
• Kerala Medical Tourism
• Kerala Health Tourism
• Kerala Farm Tourism
• Kerala Ecotourism