We started giving links on this page to Indian tourism and travel sites some six months back. Starting with government sites, we have compiled a link base of some hundred sites. We have been discreet in giving links so that the page does not become just a shorter version of a google search page. And we started ranking them on three criteria - information, dependability and services provided online, on a very rough scale. Now we have started listing blogs and forums [fora, if you like] and flagging travel and linking useful good or bad news about the linked sites. Since it is a free blog, there are limitations on display, categorisation etc. Yet, we intend to make this as useful as possible for the travelling fraternity.
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links to travel and tour sites relating to India:
[building up the list, discreetly]

The following markings are placed alongside the link. We must clarify that these markings are as per our understanding about the link, and are made to guide the users of this blog. An unfavorable marking is only our subjective perception about the link and is not intended to hurt the business interests of the linked site. A marking is also likely to change over time.[Even then, if any site owner who perceives that a marking is not in his/ her interest may post a comment and we shall be glad to remove the link]:
-- 5 is the maximum marks a site is given, under a category. '?' means not verified
-- stars are given for information [Info], dependability [Dep], services provided on the website [Serv]
-- online travel/tour operators and flight/hotel/package booking sites are marked OTA

• India Tourism Development Corporation Info-4,Dep-5,Serv-2

Government corporation. Fair rates, no chance of cheating. Need to book hotels in advance because of rush. All-India presence and offices in major cities in all continents.

• Incredible India Info-4,Dep-5,Serv-1.5Government of India's tourism page. Full of information and advosories, but a bit cluttered. Not many utility services/ links.

• State government tourism offices: Info-2 to 5,Dep-5,Serv- 0 to 3

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Info-5,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Andhra Pradesh Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 2
Arunachal Pradesh Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Assam Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 0
BiharInfo-5,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Chandigarh 1 Info-5,Dep-5,Serv- 0 , 2Info-3,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Daman and DiuInfo-3,Dep-5,Serv- 0
DelhiInfo-5,Dep-5,Serv- 1
ChhattisgarhInfo-3,Dep-5,Serv- 0
GoaInfo-5,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Gujarat Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Haryana Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Himachal Pradesh 1 Info-5,Dep-5,Serv- 2, 2 Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 3
Jammu and Kashmir Info-5,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Jharkhand Info-1,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Karnataka Info-3,Dep-5,Serv- 2, 2. Info-3,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Kerala 1 Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 2, 2 Info-3,Dep-5,Serv- 2
Lakshadweep Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Madhya Pradesh Info-3,Dep-5,Serv- 3
Maharashtra Info-5,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Manipur Info-2,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Meghalaya Info-2,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Mizoram Info-3,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Nagaland Info-2,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Orissa Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Puducherry Info-4,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Punjab Info-3,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Rajasthan Info-5,Dep-5,Serv-3
Sikkim Info-2,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Tamil Nadu Info-5,Dep-5,Serv- 1
Tripura Info-3,Dep-5,Serv- 0
Uttarakhand Garhwal /Kumaon Info-5,Dep-5,Serv-2
Uttar Pradesh Info-5,Dep-5,Serv- 2
West Bengal Info-2,Dep-5,Serv- 0

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• Bharat online Info-3,Dep-3?,Serv-3 OTA

Nice commercial site with lots of customised packages and online booking.

• Cleartrip Info-2,Dep-3?,Serv-3.5 OTA

Provides booking of air tickets, hotels, some packages. As of 2008, it claims to have 35% OTA marketshare [click here for details].In Oct 08, it tied up with IRCTC to provide online rail ticketing.

• Cox & Kings Info-1,Dep-3.5?,Serv-3 OTA

International tour and travel operators. Indian site gives booking facility through parent website. Transparent in dealings.

• Expedia India Info-1,Dep-2.5?,Serv-3 OTA

International travel and tour booking site. Tour and hotel booking facilities, with options, on the site in some Indian tourist destinations. We found this negative feedback about this site, and this news about their new India operations.

• Ezeego Info-3.5,Dep-2.5?,Serv-4.5 OTA

Calls itself India’s biggest online travel bazaar. Provides booking of air tickets, hotels, packages, conveniences; many destinations. We saw this list of complaints about this site

• Ghumakkar Info-4.5,Dep-4?,Serv-1

Nice site with travelogues by different people, great info.

• Greatescapes Info-3,Dep-2.5?,Serv-1 OTA

A site of a new company providing packages in South India

• IndiaHoliday Info-2.5,Dep-3?,Serv-2 OTA

Website with info and services.

• IndiaMike portal Info-5,Dep-2.5?,Serv-1

A nice portal with active community discussing and sharing experiences on travel to/in India and related matters.

• Indian rail ticketing Info-1,Dep-5,Serv- 2
  

• India Travel Advice Blog Info-3.5,Dep-4.5,Serv-1

Gives first hand accounts of tourist cities with maps, also has good images to give a feel of the place.

• India travelinfo Info-4,Dep-3?,Serv-2 OTA

Lots of information, good utility services. Nice portal.

• India travelogue Info-4,Dep-3?,Serv-1.5

Nice travel site, nice photographs and travelogues, some packages on offer.

• Ind0expedition / dolmaar Info-3.5,Dep-3.5?,Serv-3 OTA

Providing tour and travel services. Also own resorts.

• Ixigo Info-1,Dep-3.5?,Serv-2 OTA

Search and booking facilitator for air and hotel bookings.

• KeralaRajasthan Travel Info-2.5,Dep-3.5?,Serv-2 OTA

Site devoted to Kerala and Rajasthan tourism packages. Good info and package details.

• Kumaon Info Info-4.5,Dep-3.5?,Serv-0

Gives detailed information about Kumaon, lower Himalayan region of Uttarakhand state.

• make my trip Info-2.5,Dep-3?,Serv-3.5 OTA

A utility website offering airline ticketing, tour packages and other facilities. Has started giving info to find hotels within main cities.

• Oktatabyebye Info-5,Dep-2.5?,Serv-1

Nice portal on info, help, reviews and web community on travel-tour in India.

• Painted Stork blogInfo-4,Dep-3?,Serv-0

A blog giving general and specific advice relating to travel and tourism in India. No utility provided but gives profuse links and is thus full of information.

• tcindia Info-3,Dep-4?,Serv-1 OTA

Travel Corporation of India is among old companies doing travel and tour business including conferening. Site gives details but is short on online services.

• travelguru Info-3.3,Dep-3.5?,Serv-3 OTA

A utility site offering hotel, travel and pacage booking for Indian and foreign destinations.

• travelmart Info-3,Dep-3?,Serv-2 OTA

Nice travel portal with good information.

• Travelmasti.com Info-3.8,Dep-3.5?,Serv-2 OTA

Travel portal with good info and utilities.

• Tour Operators' Council Info-3,Dep-4.5,Serv-1

A site maintained by Tour Operators' Council of India. Some useful info and lots of general news the travel-tourism sector.

• TripAdvisor Info-5,Dep-2.5?,Serv-0

Nice community on information and advice on travel. International sites, also Indian edition.

• Tripmela Info-2,Dep-3.5?,Serv-2 OTA

Publishes travel deals offered by various operators, helping travelers to bargain-hunt for air travel within India.

• Wiki travel: India pageInfo-5,Dep-2.5?,Serv-0

Wikitravel page. Has very exhaustive information at one place, but no guarantee of being fully correct.

• Yatra.com Info-3,Dep-3?,Serv-4.5 OTA

Site providing booking of air tickets, hotels, packages, conveniences; many destinations.News clip: Intel invests in Yatra.com

go to IndiaAdvice.blogspot.com
for comprehensive travel-related
info and advice