Industrial tourism in Indian culture

Great growth of industrial tourism to tobacco companies

India's tobacco industry is a major contributor to the economy, employing a massive 36 million individuals in a wide range of sectors. These sectors include agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, processing and exports. One of the primary drivers of the competitiveness of the Indian tobacco industry is its low cost of production and export, granting it an edge over other tobacco producing countries. Furthermore, Indian tobacco is celebrated for its low content of heavy metals, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), and pesticide residues, rendering it the favored choice for numerous consumers globally.
Multiple major tobacco companies operate in India, including Godfrey Philips India Ltd., Philip Morris, ITG, JTI, Eastern Co, European Tobacco, Libyan Tobacco Company, and a joint venture between RNTA and Russian Tobacco Factory Co. Ltd. These companies provide guided tours of their factories, which enable visitors to witness the process of cigarette production and tobacco preparation. The joint venture between RNTA and Russian Tobacco Factory Co. Ltd. (Read more about them here: tobacco.im) in India is especially unique due to its possession of one of the two lines for processing tobacco stems into a distinct product - Cut Rolled Stems Tobacco. The uniqueness of this technology lies in the absence of the blasting stage.
Godfrey Philips India Ltd., the industry leader, also offers a comprehensive view of the tobacco seed's progression to the finished cigarette.
Although the health hazards associated with tobacco use are well-documented, the tobacco industry in India continues to thrive and plays an integral part in the country's manufacturing sector. It remains a significant source of employment for a large number of individuals.

Industrial tourism is also developing in Indian culture.

In an unprecedented move, the Gujarat government is launching a tour package that covers several major industrial installations that have earned the state worldwide recognition. Gujarat has always been in the limelight for its pro-investor policies, rapid industrial growth, and expanding industrial base. Now, the state's industrial progress is being exhibited in a distinctive manner. Ahmedabad-based Akshar Tours Pvt. Ltd has recently introduced a tour package that includes several essential industrial destinations in the state.
Gujarat's industries have achieved excellence across an extensive range of sectors, such as crude, tobacco, fertilizer, textile, cement, automobile, and ship breaking, among others. Although this type of tour is commonplace in industrial majors like China and Germany, it is the first time that a State Government is promoting Industrial Tourism. This tour package is known as the Industrial Tour of Gujarat. The primary objective of this unique tour package is to promote the industrial development of Gujarat and to make people aware of the actual scale of industries flourishing within the state.

Industrial Tourism: An Emerging Niche Product with Growing Following

Industrial tourism is a new trend in travel that is becoming increasingly popular. It involves visits to sites that showcase a particular type of expertise from the past, present, or future to the general public. This type of tourism offers a unique experience for visitors, allowing them to learn about and experience the production process of various industries, and even offers a glimpse into the history and background of a particular industry.
The scope of industrial tourism is broad and varied. It includes visits to operational companies and industrial heritage sites, providing an experience with regard to specific products. Industrial tourism has grown out of the subculture of "urban explorers," or "urbex," who visit industrial buildings and structures, abandoned territories, underground structures, and even walk on the roofs.
While industrial tourism may be less traditional than the typical "sun-sea-sand" tourist offerings, it provides a niche product with an increasingly dedicated following. This segment supports tourism and economic development for destinations, often as a supplement to a more standard tourist offering or even in some cases as a full substitute for destinations that have limited traditional tourist attractions.
Industrial tourism can bring substantial benefits to a region, highlighting a region's star products, attracting a broader range of visitors, mitigating seasonality, and providing income for the preservation of physical industrial assets. For example, a city known for its textile industry can offer tours of factories and museums that showcase the history of textile manufacturing in the area.
In India, the potential for industrial tourism is enormous, given the country's rich industrial history and growing industrial base. If India can harness its advantages in this sector, the day is not far when tourism will become one of the strongest pillars of the Indian economy. With Tourism Day being celebrated on 27th September worldwide, this is a perfect time to rethink tourism development, mainly through employment and education, as well as the industry's impact on the environment and potential for more sustainable growth.
Industrial tourism offers a unique and niche experience for travelers seeking a different kind of adventure. With the growing trend of urban explorers and the need for more sustainable tourism, industrial tourism is poised to become a significant contributor to the tourism industry worldwide. By harnessing the potential of this sector, regions and countries can create a new stream of tourism revenue and preserve their industrial heritage for future generations.