Aspirant Academy

Geography

Predicted Questions with Model Answers

Tourism in Rajasthan

Paper II · Unit 3 Section 13 of 14 0 PYQs 41 min
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Predicted Questions with Model Answers

Q1 (5 marks — 50 words)

What is the significance of Jaipur's UNESCO World Heritage City status for Rajasthan's tourism?

Model Answer (EN): Jaipur received UNESCO World Heritage City status in 2019, becoming the first planned Indian city on the list. This boosts international heritage tourist arrivals, enhances Amber Fort's appeal — the top-earning ASI monument in Rajasthan — and attracts conservation funding for the Walled City. It amplifies the cultural tourism multiplier through heritage hotels, crafts, and cuisine.

Q2 (5 marks — 50 words)

What are the five major tourism circuits of Rajasthan? Name them and give one key attraction for each.

Model Answer (EN): Rajasthan's five tourism circuits are: (1) Heritage Circuit — Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer (forts and palaces); (2) Wildlife Circuit — Ranthambhore, Sariska (tigers); (3) Pilgrim Circuit — Pushkar, Nathdwara, Ranakpur (temples); (4) Desert Circuit — Sam dunes, Jaisalmer (camel safari); (5) Tribal Circuit — Dungarpur, Banswara (Bhil culture, Gavri festival). Each circuit targets a distinct tourist segment.

Q3 (5 marks — 50 words)

What is the Palace on Wheels? What role does it play in Rajasthan's luxury tourism?

Model Answer (EN): Palace on Wheels is a luxury heritage train operated by RTDC in partnership with Indian Railways, launched in 1982. It runs a weekly circuit covering Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranthambhore, Agra, and other heritage destinations. Priced at ~$500 per person per night, it targets international high-spending tourists, boosting Rajasthan's luxury tourism brand and generating substantial foreign exchange.

Q4 (5 marks — 50 words)

What is the seasonality problem in Rajasthan's tourism and how can it be addressed?

Model Answer (EN): Seventy percent of Rajasthan's tourist arrivals concentrate in October–March due to extreme summers (45°C+) deterring visitors. This creates income instability for hospitality workers and infrastructure under-utilisation in off-season. Solutions include monsoon eco-tourism (Desert National Park, Jawai Leopard Camp), film tourism incentives year-round, wellness/yoga circuits, and domestic conference/MICE tourism promotion in the April–September shoulder months.

Q5 (10 marks — 150 words)

Critically analyse Rajasthan's tourism sector: strengths, challenges, and policy interventions.

Model Answer (EN): Rajasthan is India's premier tourism destination, attracting ~5.3 crore domestic and ~18 lakh foreign tourists annually (2022-23) and contributing ₹65,000+ crore to the state economy.

Strengths:

  • Unrivalled heritage: 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Amber, Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambhore, Jantar Mantar forts cluster + Jaipur city), maximum in any state
  • Jaipur World Heritage City (2019) — global brand recognition
  • Luxury train infrastructure: Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
  • Diverse tourism typology: heritage, wildlife, pilgrimage, desert, eco, and tribal circuits
  • Rajasthan Film Tourism Policy 2022: 500+ productions, 25-30% subsidy, 7-day clearance window

Challenges:

  • Seasonality: 70% footfall in October–March; summer deterrence
  • Infrastructure gaps: Road connectivity to remote heritage sites (Bhangarh, Sambhar Lake)
  • Leakage economy: Tourist spending captured by national chains, not local communities
  • Water stress: Tourism in a water-scarce desert state puts pressure on groundwater

Policy interventions:

  • Rajasthan Tourism Policy 2020: Promotes eco-tourism, adventure, and geo-tourism; single-window investment clearance
  • MICE tourism push: Conference infrastructure development in Jaipur and Jodhpur
  • Hadoti and Shekhawati circuits: ₹450 crore budget 2025-26 for infrastructure in underdeveloped tourism zones
  • Ropeway at Amber Fort: Reduces overcrowding at peak site; improves visitor experience
  • International marketing: Japan, South Korea, Gulf — diversifying source markets beyond Europe/US

Rajasthan's tourism can transition from seasonal heritage showcasing to year-round experiential tourism through sustainable investment in eco, film, and wellness segments.