By TIM ROSENKRANZ, 3/19/2014. I just purchased my flight to India for June to August. Getting really excited. Thanks for ICI to support me with the Summer Research Grant for students. I will fly to Mumbai and I planning research stays in New Delhi and a possible trip to the Taj Mahal in Agra. My research is about the production of the tourist destination India through government efforts, private industry (such as hotel chains, airlines) and the people on the ground, who have a stake in it. I will conduct both interviews and participant observation to access the tourist experience and the “back-stage” efforts that go into it. You can say, I am mixing business and pleasure.

I have been to India before as a tourist, now I am extremely curious how this experience will change as a researcher. I am a huge foodie and cannot wait to explore more of Mumbai and New Delhi. Especially Mumbai will be great, because you can get all different cuisines from all over India. I will definitely keep you posted and blog some pictures and videos of my experiences.