Date: 01-05-2020. Time: 12:30-1:30 PM B.A (Vs) Tourism Management Semester- 6th B
Paper 6.4 - Business Tourism and Hospitality
Case Study on “Evolution of Hospitality Services in India”
Evolution of hospitality services in India may be evident from many holy texts that state ‘atithi devo
bhava’ or ‘guest is God’. The great emperor Ashok built amenities near the religious centres and on the roadside for Buddhist monks and travelers. These amenities were very helpful to travelers offering them a place to rest at night.
Protection was also given to them during their sojourn. Hien Tsang mentioned in his travel account about traditional hospitality in villages and amenities near religious place in transit places.
India is known for its friendly behavior towards guests. The Gupta rulers built accommodation for pilgrims and subsequently many regional dynasties like the Chola, the Ratrakutas, the Vijaynagar and the Nayaks were known for their royal patronage that contributed towards building Hindu temples and accommodation for pilgrims. Hindu temple priests at Puri, Varanashi,Rameshwaram, Vrindavan, Mathura, Dwarka and other pilgrimage centres in India used to provide accommodation in their own houses. These ancient kings constructed dharamshalas, planted trees and arranged for drinking water. Many Muslim rulers, Including Mughal emperors built sarais at various places.
The British were the first to contribute to the establishment of hospitality services in a very sophisticated way. ‘Victory Hotel’ and ‘Albion Hotel’ were perhaps the first hotels in India. The first western style hotel was opened by Pallongee
Pestonjee in 1840 with the name ‘British Hotel’ in Mumbai. In the subsequent period, British administrations built luxury beach resorts and hill resorts at several incredible tourist centres. For example, Ooty and Shimla were developed into popular hill stations by the British by constructing attractive cottages.
However, the twentieth century was a turning point in the history of India’s hotel industry because rich industrialist entered the accommodation sector. In 1902, the Indian Hotel the Taj Hotel was opened in Mumbai in 1904. Thereafter a number of other hotels such as Ajanta, New woodland, Grand Hotel, Associated Hotels of India Ltd, Oberai Hotels and Wild Flower Hall were opened.
After independence, many private and public sector entrepreneurs entered into the accommodation business such as Air India with Centaur Hotel, ITDC with Ashok brand, Indian Tobacco Company Limited (ITC), Clark Group of Hotels, and so on.
