Travel and tourism industry has been gaining importance over the last few years. The globalization process and developments in Information Technology have made it vibrant and it is estimated to be the second largest industry in the world. Leisure, business, health and heritage segments are contributing to this phenomenon. Countries across the world are competing with each other to attract tourists in large numbers. However, the emerging India has certain advantages over the other rising stars like China in attracting more tourists.

There has been a tremendous change in the travel and tourism industry in the last few years. The advent of new technologies in the information and communication spheres and the globalization have no doubt contributed to this development. One of the functional areas of management, marketing as applied to the hotel industry, may also be considered as a key player in spurring the process of change. In fact, the transport sector along with the hospitality sector determines the direction of flow of the travelers, especially when the latter consist of people in quest of enjoying holidays, currently coming under the nomenclature of "leisure travelers".

What used to be a lackadaisical area of activity some 20 years ago has now become a crucial determinant in earning large revenues for those engaged in this sector. Another class of people who travel to consult specialist doctors and surgeons for undergoing major operations may be grouped under the rubric of "health travelers".

They converge in hospitals of repute located mainly in the metropolitan cities. Consultants in these high specialty hospitals look after these patients who often stay with their attendants in hotels near the medical centers. In recent years, health tourism has also become a money-spinner for enterprising individuals working in the travel, hotel, transport and medical sectors in liaison with the hospitals.

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