Planning of tourism infrastructure for Gwalior

Abstract

This study has been undertaken to evaluate the role of tourism industry in their Infrastructure Development and Potential of Gwalior as a Transit point or Tourist Destination. So as to prepare effective plans for the Infrastructure development of tourism base in the city of Gwalior. Tourism is one of the largest service industries, with a contribution of 6.23% to the national GDP and 8.78% of the total employment in India in 2010. Total Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) in India was 5.78 million and India generated about 200 billion US dollars in 2008. Gwalior is one of the major tourist hubs of M.P. and is also a part of the North Indian Tourist Circuit i.e., Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Gwalior is the starting city of main Tourist circuit in Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior – Shivpuri – Orchha – Khajuraho. In this circuit having maximum flow of foreign tourist as well as domestic tourist out of all four tourist circuits available in Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior has contributed only 1.84% of total tourist flow in Madhya Pradesh in 2010. Data of tourist flow in Gwalior show substantial growth in the past few years from a total of around 2, 10,000 in 2008 and 8, 50,000 in 2011. The share of Domestic tourist has increase from around 92% to 98% to the same period in this context. Gwalior is located strategically between major tourist destinations. But unfortunately, the city has not been able to capitalize from its good connectivity, so the need for accessing tourism infrastructure for the growing number of tourist is very important to further development of the city as a major tourism hub. My THESIS aim is to assess the potential of Gwalior as a tourist destination and plan for tourism infrastructure of the city. The objective to achieve the aim is to study the role of Gwalior as a tourist transit point and destination, with respect to the region, To Analyze the Existing and Proposed Tourist Destinations Dependent on Gwalior City and Map the Available Tourism infrastructure, To Assess the Existing Gaps in Selected Tourism Infrastructure and To Plan for Tourism Infrastructure Development in Gwalior City and Surrounding Destinations. My study is done in different stages started with the literature review, case studies, site visit, and collection of data from primary survey and secondary sources. After literature review and primary survey selected the type of tourism infrastructure which has Gaps in the city level and destinations are indicated through maps and data analysis. Mapping the tourist circuits and destinations within the city and in the surrounding areas with city as the base town. Mapping and assessing the tourism infrastructure of Gwalior city, quantifying the Gaps in selected tourism infrastructure, planning for tourism infrastructure at city level and at some selected destinations. The study is limited to the tourist destinations within the city and in the surrounding area up to a maximum distance of 100 Km. the Ranking of available infrastructure for Gap analysis is based on the findings of the primary survey only. The proposals are provided for Gaps in Infrastructure at city level and destinations through site plan. Proposals for selected tourism infrastructure, Make a Tourist Infrastructure Plan within the city in such a way so that it cover up all the tourist sites and provide better accessibility along with the all attractive facility, Plan to cater the gap exists in the development of the Tourism sector in city, so that it would facilitate the Tourism development.