India, July 11 -- Today, with rising environmental consciousness and expanding highway networks, eco-tourism along national and state highways is emerging as a promising frontier - melding nature conservation, cultural heritage, and rural prosperity

Historically, travel tourism in India is 2,500 years old, dating back to the creation of urban settlements by the Indus Valley Civilisation. During the medieval period, food dhabas (eateries) known as sarais were the main harbinger of intercultural food and travel tourism along the Grand Trunk Road, which was the main artery for trade at the time.

However, modern tourism in India started after Independence when the Tourist Traffic Committee was set up in 1948, which recommended ways to promo...