Rajasthan attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists annually due to its rich cultural heritage and historical sites. Tourism is a major industry in Rajasthan, accounting for 8% of the state's GDP. Key tourist destinations in Rajasthan include Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, and Mount Abu, which are known for their forts, palaces, and temples. While tourism arrivals and revenues increased between 2005-2008, there was a slowdown in 2009 due to the global recession. SWOT analysis shows the state's strengths are its world-famous tourist destinations and cultural heritage, but weaknesses include inadequate infrastructure and regional transport links.

1. Current Status and Opportunities in Tourism
Sector in Rajasthan
1. About Rajasthan and Jaipur
Rājasthān is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It encompasses most of the area of
the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert). Rajasthan covers an area of 342,239 km²,
which is 10.41% of the total area of the country.
One of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravalli Range, cradles the
only hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu, famous for Dilwara Temples, a
sacred pilgrimage for Jains. Eastern Rajasthan has the world famous
Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, famous for its bird life and is a
World Heritage Site and two famous national tiger reserves, Ranthambore
and Sariska Tiger Reserve.
Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra and forms the golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and
Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trappings of a modern metropolis
but yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The old
Jaipur painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration. Stunning backdrop of ancient forts:
Nahargarh, Amer, Jaigarh and Moti Doongari are apt testimonials of the bygone era and a reminder
of their lingering romance and chivalry.
2. Tourists Arrivals – Domestics & International, 2006-10
Rajasthan attracted 14% of total foreign visitors during 2009-2010 which is fourth highest in all
states of India. It positioned fourth place also in Domestic tourist visitors. Endowed with natural
beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing industry in Rajasthan. Tourism accounts for eight
percent of the state's domestic product. Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been
converted into heritage hotels. Tourism has increased employment in the hospitality sector.
Tourism section has grown at the rapid pace in Rajasthan between 2005 and 2008. However, there
was some slow down in the year 2009, owing to the global recession. It is forecasted that the

2. Current Status and Opportunities
in Tourism Sector in Rajasthan
industry is back on track in 2010. Preliminary data predicted more than 280 Lakhs domestic travelers
and more than 14 Lakhs foreign travelers.
(Figures in Lakhs)
283.6
259.2 255.6
234.8
187.9
11.3 12.2 14.0 14.8 10.7
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Domestic Foreign
3. No. of Tourists ate Key Interest Areas in Jaipur City, 2007-09
362996
334298
317857
152057
116374
97672
19263 20939 27875
Deeg Palaces Kmbhalgarh Fort Chittaurgarh Fort
2007 2008 2009
4. Famous Tourist Attraction in Rajasthan
 Jaipur - The capital of Rajasthan, famous for its rich history and royal architecture.
 Jodhpur - Fortress-city at the edge of the Thar Desert, famous for its blue homes and
architecture.
 Udaipur - Known as the "Venice” of India.
 Jaisalmer - Famous for its golden fortress, havelis and some of the oldest Jain Temples and
libraries.
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3. Current Status and Opportunities
in Tourism Sector in Rajasthan
 Bikaner - Famous for its havelis, palaces and temples.
 Mount Abu - Highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan. Famous for 11th century Dilwara
Jain Temples.
 Pushkar - It has the first and one of the very few Brahma temples in the world.
 Ranakpur- Large Jain Temple complex with near 1444 pillars and exquisite marble carvings.
 Nathdwara - This town near Udaipur hosts the famous temple of Shrinathji.
 Ranthambore - Situated near Sawai Madhopur, this town has one of the largest and most
famous national parks in India.
 Shekhawati - Located are small towns such as Mandawa and Ramgarh with frescoed havelis
between 100 to 300 years old.
 Barmer - Barmer and surrounding areas offer perfect picture of typical Rajasthani villages.
5. Key Attractions in Jaipur
Fort and Monuments Temple Near Jaipur
 City Palace  Govind Dev Ji Temple  Tonk
 Jantar Mantar  Birla Temple  Sanganer
 Albert Hall  Moti Doongri Temple  Bagru
 Moti Doongri  Samode
 Hawa Mahal  Sariska Tiger reserve
 Gaitore  Ranthambhore National Park
 Jaigarh Fort  Abhaneri
 Nahargarh Fort  Karauli
 Amber Palace
6. No. of Tourists ate Key Interest Areas in Jaipur City, 2007-09
793 Properties
688 Number of Rooms
260
231
175 158
71 62 60
7 7 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 20 4
5 Star Deluxe 5 Star 4 Star 3 Star 2 Star 1 Star Apartment Timeshare Heritage Homestays Unclassified
Hotel Resort
With increasing number of visitors in the states, the numbers of available rooms increase from 2,367
in 2008 to 2,417 in 2009 mainly because of implementation of Homestay scheme. However, the
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4. Current Status and Opportunities
in Tourism Sector in Rajasthan
demand is increasing for all kinds of properties including Vacation Rental, Holiday Homes and
Homestays.
7. SWOT Analysis Of Rajasthan Tourism
7.1. Strengths
The state has several strengths from tourism point of view. The strengths related to sectors
include location and regional linkage, tourism, heritage, trade and commerce, traditional arts and
crafts and state reforms.
 World famous tourist destination
 Attracts both domestic as well as international tourists
 Several important tourist attractions in the form of palaces, museums, forts, etc present
Heritage
 Famous for its heritage and culture, (reflected in buildings, forts, Palaces, temples, etc.)
 Old city is a virtual museum of heritage buildings
7.2. Weakness
The major areas of weaknesses for the city include infrastructure, urban growth, conservation,
environment, slums, and institutional capacity.
 Inadequate regional linkages in form of bad rail (meter gauge) and air routes
 Pressure on roads due to encroachment, excessive commercialization and vehicular
movement
 Lack of parking space
 Lack of proper Traffic Management in city
 Lack of infrastructure facilities near and around tourist places
 Absence of public transportation
 Inadequate number of public conveniences
 Violation of rules, byelaws by public and residents leading to loss of heritage look
 High rate of population growth and urbanisation is leading to slum formation,
 Lack of proper database management in each sector especially in Heritage and Infrastructure
development
 Lack of awareness among people towards heritage conservation
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5. Current Status and Opportunities
in Tourism Sector in Rajasthan
 No proper maintenance of heritage sites like fort of Sajjangarh, Heritage Gates etc
 Most of buildings in walled city are in deteriorating state due to lack of repair and
maintenance
 Degrading air quality
 Degraded water quality
 Increasing number of slums
7.3. Opportunities
Rajasthan has several aspects that are potential opportunities. Main opportunities are in the areas
of economic growth, proposed projects, state initiated reforms and heritage.
 It can attract many tourists because of its rich heritage and culture, and Picturesque and
congenial Natural Setting
 With good regional and location advantage, it has the capacity to attract many potential
developers in economic and industrial sectors State urban reforms
 Proposed reforms under SUARAJ scheme shall help in streamlining institutional and later
infrastructure reforms in city
 State is focused on provision of basic services to urban poor that will help in development of
city Heritage
 Rich heritage shall attract tourists, many more potential sites under consideration
7.4. Threats
Threats primarily exists weakness, which if not addressed adequately might pose as threats for
development of city in future.
8. Emerging Opportunities - Dental Tourism
The unofficial estimate for Jaipur is a mere 2,000 over the last five years. Dental tourism could grow
by four times in the next five years if the state government were to make an effort to market Jaipur
as a global hub for dental tourism. Internationally, Malaysia and Thailand have emerged as other
hotspots for dental tourism in Asia. Hungary and Spain are dental tourism destinations in Europe
A study by the IWHTA (International Wellness and Healthcare Travel Association) analyzed that close
to one-third of the people in the US do not have dental insurance. Even the insured struggle because
a surgery could cost anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000 per tooth and the insurers pay only
$1,000 to $1,500 per year. Only bare minimum treatments or procedures are covered under
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6. Current Status and Opportunities
in Tourism Sector in Rajasthan
insurance and not costly, cosmetic or laser dentistry surgery. Even in the UK, a root canal and teeth
whitening procedure would have cost her around £2,200, compared to just £280 in India. Thus, it is
attracting lots of tourists from abroad who are looking to explore the beauty of Rajasthan, as well
as, get low cost treatment.
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