Summary
India, a country with a thousand-year-old civilization that is home to countless natural, historical, cultural and gastronomic treasures, is also a potential market for tourism that should be studied. That is why this work aims to reach an approach to the profile of that tourist and that constitutes for our professionals a stimulus to deepen their study.
Keywords: Profile, Indian tourist, professionals.
Indian Outbound Tourism: A Reality We Must Know
India, a South Asian country, has an area of 3,287,590 km² and a population of approximately 1.2 billion people, making it the 7th largest and second most populous country in the world, after China. It borders Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
It shelters natural and cultural treasures of great magnitude, which makes it an exciting and diverse nation. In this mosaic are distinguished its coasts, islands, beautiful beaches, profuse national parks, exciting wildlife and an exceptional historical attraction, heritage and traditions of a country with a civilization of more than 5 thousand years.
It is also characterized by the mosaic of races, cultures and religions that coexist, being able to find more than 200 different languages, originated by the number of ethnic groups that shelters (the constitution of the country defines as official languages English and Hindi).
Its traditions are strongly rooted in society and are the result of Persian, Arabic, Turkish and Mongolian influence, as well as European, especially English, having been colonized by that power for many years.
India achieved independence from Britain on August 15, 1947, ending more than three centuries of domination, with victory after emancipatory struggles that began in 1857 and ended under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi between 1942 and 1947, a character who resorted to methods of non-violence and civil disobedience.
The so-called Darmic religions are born in India:
- Hinduism is the most popular religion, being among the three largest in the world, within it there are many different schools and traditions, following the caste tradition. Their main gods are Rama, Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna and Kali.
- Buddhism, also among the most important in the world, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, son of the rajah of the kingdom of Sakias, who renounced everything and became a beggar, calling himself Buddha, which means “The Enlightened One”. It is based on the practice of good, charity, love and other virtues and is not theistic.
- Jainism, similar to Buddhism. It propagates as a doctrine of detachment from the material and does not recognize any omnipotent divinity.
- Sikhism is a monotheistic religion halfway between Islam and Hinduism.
- Hinduism and Buddhism are practiced by about 1.4 billion people on the planet.
The stratification system of their society is that of the castes, which derives directly from Hinduism. At present, they are legally suppressed; however, they are maintained due to their uses, customs and roots within society. They are: Brahmans (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (artisans and merchants), Sudras (peasants and working people) and Parias (destitute).
India, one of the world’s emerging economies, is in the BRICS group, with a gross domestic product of USD 2.264 trillion (2016) and a per capita GDP in the same year of USD 1,709.39. It has diversified its economy, encouraging the rise of a middle class with resources that raise its consumer potentialities. This economy could become the second most important in the world after China by 2040, according to a report published by the international consulting firm PwC.
From the point of view of outbound tourism, studies projected tourism spending above 14,700 million dollars in 2017, surpassing such forecasts, reaching a 9% growth in spending, reaching $18,000 million and advancing four positions in the world rankings, ranking in seventeenth place.
Some of the reasons that have led India to this growth have been, among others: the increase in its GDP; the development of a middle class that could reach 500 million by 2025; the increase in the number of women making business trips; the growing presence of elderly people; the improvement of air connections with different tourist destinations in the world; exceeds 330 million Internet users, making it the second country with more, after China, which is a very useful tool for the search for information and travel organization. For reasons such as these, UNWTO predicts that by 2020, around 50 million Indians will travel the world.
For all this we suggest its study as a potential market and the definition of its profile so that our professionals of the tourism begin to know it, although it is not yet significant for our destiny. This is how we will relate some of their customs, social habits, food and as tourists.
Social customs and habits
- They are very traditional, coexisting tradition and modernity.
- When they engage in conversation, they are interested in the studies carried out by the interlocutor, the work he or she does, marital status, the religion he or she professes and all kinds of personal data.
- It is not usual for couples to kiss or hug in public, it is considered offensive.
- To walk hand in hand is more of a man’s own as a sign of friendship than of couples.
- Men should never touch women in public unless the lady is elderly or disabled.
- It is not considered appropriate for women to talk to strangers on the street.
- They have the belief that the right hand does noble tasks and the left the less graceful tasks. Therefore, one eats, greets, and pays with the right hand and removes shoes with the left hand. In the bathroom the left hand is used and if a gift is given it is given with the right or with both, but never only with the left.
- Your personal cleanliness is very important, you associate it with purity. After the bath, the Indian performs a morning puja or prayer.
- The home is a sacred space, they take off their shoes when they enter.
- Unlike their personal hygiene, in public spaces they do not take care of hygiene by throwing away all kinds of waste.
- When they greet Western citizens, they shake hands at the same time as they make a small bow with their head as a sign of respect.
- It is customary among Indians to greet each other by saying “namasté”, joining hands in front of the chest under the cheeks. This is an expression of greeting originating in India, is used to greet, say goodbye, ask, thank, show respect and pray. They usually kneel before the elderly and touch their feet as a sign of respect.
- Signs of affection such as shaking hands or hugging are considered improper between a man and a woman; the same is not true between people of the same sex.
- Bindi, the red dot used by women between the eyebrows, is a cultural symbol of religious connotations that marks prosperity and conjugal life.
- Making any kind of wink is perceived as a sexual proposition or can be considered an insult.
- In terms of costumes, the most popular styles are tunics and dresses for women such as the sari or dhoti for men. Strong and bright colours are the preferred ones. Do not wear tight-fitting or transparent clothing.
- Wearing leather clothes is an offense.
- Never “thank you” as it is seen as a form of payment and bad gesture.
- Whistle is considered incorrect and is unacceptable.
- Your negotiation processes can be very slow. Business cards are usually issued after the greeting and gifts are considered a bribe attempt if they are large or expensive.
- Meetings usually begin with a friendly chat.
- Holding on to the ear is a sign of sincerity or repentance.
- Indians aren’t punctual.
- Drinking or smoking in public is considered a sign of moral weakness.
- Rejecting the food that is offered is considered bad manners. In major festivities such as weddings, birthdays and others, as a sign of respect, is fed with the hand directly in the mouth of guests. In the home, a single dish is often used for several people.
- Feeding animals is considered to bring good luck and prosperity.
- One of the beliefs of Indian culture, is to consider the cow a sacred animal, representing the ideals of motherhood, life and good fortune.
Tourist profile of India
- Particular preference for organized travel.
- The price factor is the most determining factor in decision making.
- Other factors to take into account to determine the destination to visit are: the possibility of living new experiences, pleasant climate, visit emblematic monuments, sports events (soccer), buy international brands, cultural experiences, hospitality of the people.
- They travel in families, groups of friends usually made up of men.
- They highly value security, cleanliness and hygiene, WIFI service, communication in English language, good treatment and appropriate price.
- They use body language a lot, so their knowledge is imposed.
- In the restaurants they look for special foods for children, options with spices and spices, flavors similar to Indian food and the presence of it at least once a day. They like the buffet service.
- Indian travelers tend to show little interest in the gastronomy of other cultures and look for destinations with food tailored to their needs.
- Indians drink tea constantly.
- The busiest months are May, June or December.
- The role of the Internet and social networks in decision-making is significant.
- Rise of mobile devices as tools for planning and booking trips.
- More than 40% of Indian travellers seek advice from friends through social networks.
For the study of the markets, it is equally important to know their national holidays, because when their inhabitants are far from the terroir, it is very comforting to remind them of their commemorations.
Indian holidays:
January 13th to 15th | Harvest time in southern India | August 15th | Independence Day |
January 26th | Implementation of the Constitution of India | September 5th | Teacher’s Day |
February 20th | Day of Offering and Vigil | September 18th | Celebration of wives in Nepal |
March 7th | Elephant Festival | October 31st | Halloween |
March 8th | Spring Festival | November 13th | Hindu New Year’s Day |
April 3rd | Mother’s Day | November 14th | Children’s Day |
August 2nd | Celebration of the bonds | December 24th | Christmas |
Indian Gastronomy
As part of the cultural wealth of India, is its varied cuisine that arises as a result of the diversity of cultures that have enriched throughout the colonizations over several centuries, incorporating different culinary practices brought by the settlers who eventually mixed to reach the notoriety it has today.
Most Indian flavours are intimately related by the significant use of spices and a great variety of vegetables, with a great diversity of local styles.
The most commonly used spices include saffron, vanilla, cardamom (the third most expensive spice in the world after saffron and vanilla), pepper, cinnamon (can be found in branch or ground and its flavor enhances the taste of fish, of chicken and ham, is one of the most used spices in desserts and is also used to dress fruits or dry masses), Aniseed, Clove and Curry which is a mixture of between 16 and 20 spices in powder, being the main ones: turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, ginger, pepper and others that give it its characteristic aroma.
The hottest and strongest is the curry of Madras. Other spices are nutmeg, paprika, paprika (the latter, typical of Hungarian cuisine, is equivalent to paprika, using dried and ground fruits to season soups, meat dishes and salads.
There are two varieties of the latter, sweet and spicy, and it is essential as a condiment for the typical goulash, marinades, rice and sauces); In addition, Ginger, Licorice, Coriander Seeds, Cumin, Mustard Seeds, Turmeric (a spice with a bitter taste that is also capable of giving food a yellow colour, it is almost never used alone, it is always found in combination with other spices), Fennel (it has a distinctive aniseed flavour, and the seeds, whole or ground, add that particular flavour to many dishes). These are examples of the great diversity of spices they possess.
The most important ingredients used in Indian cuisine are rice, atta (a special type of whole-wheat flour with which bread is made), and at least five dozen varieties of legumes. The most important is the chana (chickpea, pea), as well as the toor (Indian chickpea), the urad (black lentil) and the mung (green soya).
Hinduism as a religion promotes simple and natural life as a path to physical and spiritual purity. The diet varies by region, some followers are strict vegetarians, while others eat meat, the result of local hunting. The customs of the Hindu diet are based on the belief that the body is composed of fire, water, air and earth and the food that is ingested can balance these elements or take them out of balance.
Types of food
All foods fall into one of three categories, and the weight of each causes the diet to vary according to local customs. Sattvic foods are considered ideal and are the only foods ingested in certain customs. Among them are: dairy products such as milk or clarified butter (ghee), nuts in general such as nuts, almonds, dates and also seeds and fresh fruit juicy, nutritious, full of minerals and vitamins.
Vegetables also fall into this category, as do natural sweeteners, unrefined (molasses, maple syrup, etc.). Cereals are the ones that provide energy to the organism; quinoa, rice, oats or cereal sprouts are part of this group. They are all considered to cleanse the mind and body, increasing inner tranquility.
Rajasic foods are found in opposition to sattvic foods. The latter are very salty, very sweet, very bitter, very hot, very acidic, very spicy, very aromatic. They tend to excite and intoxicate.
Very hot, spicy, or acidic foods are compared to wine and meat. The consumption of alcoholic beverages and meat develops violent tendencies and animal diseases, according to this belief.
Tamasic foods are thought to promote negative emotions and include foods past, rotten, overripe or otherwise inedible.
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism is commonly associated with the Hindu diet, but most Hindus consume some kind of animal products. While vegetarians refuse to eat any food that comes from an animal, some Hindus eat dairy products, fish and shellfish, and even poultry.
Pigs are consumed in regions where their wild condition has historically been a source of food in times of need. Most Hindus do not eat meat, cows are seen as “the mother”, but meat is consumed in small sections of Hindu populations.
Hindus practice fasting for spiritual reasons on holy days, but the practice varies according to local customs and individual preferences. Some followers avoid all nutrients, others drink only juice, and others limit themselves to just one meal a day. Fasting is seen as a physical and spiritual restart that greatly improves the condition of the body.
For service providers in any of their departments, this information can be valuable. However, it is not everything, as I always insist, it is fundamental the constant search of information and study of the markets with which we work, contributing to elevate our professionalism and the most important thing, to obtain greater indexes of satisfaction of the clients and to conquer their preference.
Sources consulted:
- Boatman Marvin. Tourism-emitting countries report strong increases in spending during 2017 Available at: https://www.nacion.com/economia/indicadores/paises-emisores-de-turismo-reportan-fuerte-alza-en/YKF53BVXYJGHNHZRKRSBLDXSZM/story/ Consulted; May 2018
- What are the most used spices and how to add them to your meals. Available at: https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1496889-cuales-son-las-especias-mas-usadas-y-como-agregarlas-a-tus-comidas Accessed: March 2018
- Indian culture and traditions. Available in: Consulted: April 2018
- The Indian tourist of the 21st century. Available in: Consulted: May 2018
- Interview with H.E. Mr. C. Rajasekhar, Ambassador of India to Cuba: Indian Tourism in Cuba, a Latent Possibility. Available in: Accessed: May 2018.
- Strong recovery in 2017 of tourism demand in both traditional and emerging markets. Available at: Accessed: May 2018
- Gastronomy of India. Available at: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastronom%C3%ADa_de_India Accessed: April 2018
- Guide of attention to the Indian tourist. Ministry of Tourism. Presidency of the nation. Available in: Consulted: April 2018
- India already has more Internet users than the United States. The Asian country is in second place in the world, behind China, which leads the list. Available at: https://losandes.com.ar/article/india-tiene-mas-usuarios-de-internet-que-estados-unidos Accessed: May 2018
- India: Reaching the Consumer Available at: http://www.globaltrade.net/international-trade-import-exports/f/business/India/Selling.html Accessed: April 2018
- Infographics: India’s outbound tourism in 2014 Available at: Accessed: May 2018
- Ingredients of Indian cuisine. Available at: Accessed: March 2018
- Indian culture: norms of education and customs. Available at: http://www.guiadeviaje.net/india Accessed: May 2018
- Available at: http://muyfitness.com/dieta-hindu-info_11081/ Accessed: March 2018
- Tourism-emitting countries report strong increases in spending during 2017 Available at: https://www.nacion.com/economia/indicadores/paises-emisores-de-turismo-reportan-fuerte-alza-en/YKF53BVXYJGHNHZRKRSBLDXSZM/story/ Accessed: May 2018
- Republic of India. Country card. Diplomatic Information Office. Available at: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Documents/FichasPais/INDIA_FICHA%20PAIS.pdf Accessed: April 2018
- Roldan José María. Interculturality among its people. Available at: https://www.actualidadviajes.com/la-sociedad-india/ Accessed: May 2018
- India already has more Internet users than the United States. 10 basic ingredients for preparing Indian food at home Available at: comida+india+en+tu+casa&page=ampliada&id=4224 Consulted: April 2018
- Available at: https://www.mercadoflotante.com/blog/especias-india-recetas/ Accessed: March 2018.
Author: MSc. Rosendo Bermúdez Prieto. Varadero Mintur Training Center. Ave. Tercera e/ Calles 33 y 34. Varadero. Matanzas, telephone: 45613796. E-mail: [email protected]
Datos para citar este artículo:
Rosendo Bermúdez Prieto. (2019). Outbound tourism from India: a reality that we must know. Revista Vinculando, 17(1). https://vinculando.org/en/outbound-tourism-from-india-a-reality-that-we-must-know.html
Deja un comentario