“Tourism leads to infrastructural development, increase in employment and more foreign tourist arrival which in turn will impact the overall growth of nation”.
PM Narendra Modi
The Endogenous tourism is an innovative concept which aptly address the zeal of the tourist to know about – religion, vernacular culture, the historical significance, local art, and folk, as well as the local vegetation and environment. ‘Endogenous Tourism’ is being given a great thrust by the Modi government. The prominent recent examples are – Varanasi, Ayodhya, Deoghar, Lumbini, Panchmahal, Kevadia, Pulicat, Koringa, Nelapattu, and North-East. Endogenous tourism holds tremendous potential for both local income generation and enhancement of the basic quality of life. The concept of Endogenous Tourism addresses goals 1, 2, 5, and 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
A study was undertaken in six districts of Madhya Pradesh (Chanderi, Bhind, Morena, Khajuraho, Panna, and Orchha) to explore the potential of endogenous tourism. The feedback for study was collected from 130 respondents comprising of tourists, restaurant operators, lodge operators. Some important findings were:
- The Proportion of male and female tourists is now a days similarly. This contrasts with the earlier situation wherein the male was the predominant tourists.
- 79 percent of the total tourists were in the age group of 18-50 years.
- 82 percent tourists to the places mentioned above were from MP itself. 28 percent were from other states of India.
- Only 41 per cent of the total restaurants surveyed in the six districts had valid licenses for their establishment and operations, bulk of which were in Khajuraho alone.
- 63 per cent the restaurant owners were not aware of the regulations regarding food standards.
- Amongst the nine different amenities (cheap stay, transport, homely food, medical facilities, security, guide facility, better hygiene, better sanitation, and electronic payment) as required by an tourist, most demanding as identified by the respondents were – homely food, electronic mode of payment, availability of guide and transportation in sequence of the priority.
Major location specific issues identified during the study were:
Chanderi
1- Chanderi has no railway station of its own and this forces the tourists to travel from Lalitpur in UP to Chanderi in MP via road. Because of the pathetic condition of on the road, the tourists can have a really terrible experience traversing between the two cities.
2- Options for stay were less as a total of only 3 stay arrangements (hotel and dharamshala) were seen.
Bhind and Morena
The lack of way side amenities like: small refreshment stalls, washrooms, etc. and the road network connecting the different spots needs better infrastructural development.
Khajuraho
1- Khajuraho is an UNESCO site so it had full-fledged basic amenities, transport, infrastructure, marketing, etc. but there were some issues which were:
2- The price of hiring a guide at the Khajuraho temples like Western Temple is quite high (Rs.1000-1500), so everyone cannot afford one.
3- The sound and light show that is organized is not up to the mark if compared to the one held at other locations like at Delhi.
Panna
The entry fee at the Tiger Reserve is quite high (Rs.1500 for the vehicle and Rs.360 for the guide) is not affordable by common people.
Orchha
There was lack of proper lighting inside the temples which could be a major issue of concern in the evenings.