Responsible
Tourism is the great Buzzword in tourism
scene. It is more about engaging with the mountain destinations, enjoying a
range of winter activities, in beautiful surrounding and having a fun and
memorable stay but not at the cost of the environment the local population and
we all want that.
Responsible
Skiing Tourism is the heart of
nature-based tourism. The sector grows in response to rising customer demand
and there are many issues that need to be addressed. The objective should be to
develop multi stakeholder’s engagement and understanding of the contribution of
tourism to the economy, society, culture and environment and through research,
training. Outreach to enhance the ability to manage tourism more sustainable in
the country. The challenge is to achieve the key objective and Responsible to
make our country better place for people to live in and to visit.
We
must deliberate on tourism and employment (especially to locals). Disability
access, the role of government partnerships for sustainability in destinations
and all inclusive marketing with Responsible tourism, humans rights, world
heritage sites and corporate responsibility in the tourism and Hospitality
industry, issue of women and tourism; control of emissions i.e., emphasis on
more bio-fuel developments, water conservation energy savings, constructions
norms – (both designs and implementation) protection of landscape to save local
landscape are key areas of concern. One just has to keep working through larger
number of small actions on a sustained basis on the aspects enumerated above to
bring the change. One must realize that in the eco-sensitive areas, no miracle
works. One has to be sensitive in approach toward development and respect the
eco-fragileness of the destination. For making this successful, skills too are
needed which are of specialized nature. There is a lack of quality talent in
these natural areas. Therefore, this will also need for tourism training
infrastructure and qualified trainers. Hence, skill development programme is a
must and locals need to be trained. In this respect, government’s continued
commitment toward Sustainable development is visible through announcing India
Sustainable Tourism guidelines. The
Ministry constituted a Steering Committee with representative from all the sectors
of tourism and hospitality industry of India. The Steering Committee
deliberated at length to formulate the Sustainable Tourism criteria.
The
committee has finalized the sustainable tourism criteria and indicators for the
Accommodation Sector, and the Tour Operators sector, as these two form the most
important stakeholders in the tourism industry. Once adopted, it would be
mandatory for all organizations in travel trade and hospitality industry of
India to adopt the Sustainable Tourism Criteria. Even for classification of
hotels, government has included specific eco- friendly measures like
conservation of energy, water, recycling and reuse of water, waste management
in all areas. There is greater awareness now and promoters do understand that
some places have a fragile disposition and an eco-system that should not be
tampered with. Such places perform best when development is a steady sensible
and sustainable way and move forward with sense of responsibility. This
awareness is there aftermath of natural calamities that took place in
Uttarakhand and other eco-sensitive areas. It is crucial for the local
communities to take responsibility on improving their towns and villages. It is
about grass root mobilization and taking responsibility. Action against any
unhealthy development in the region that can lead to further devastation. This
fear should be injected in each village and local leaders. They need to be
their very own police and act with discipline and concern. Careless and
commercial approach toward tourism can only lead to disaster and the local
people will be put on all blames. One can be sure that it is not Nature but
what it unfolds thereafter will take too long a time to revive to pristine
glory. Greed here need to be controlled & local community be the local
police to control such unfair practices Promoters will run away and only locals
will face the disastrous efforts. We have seen the mad rush of developments in
Manali, Kedarnath, Garhwal region, Kumaon region which are eco-sensitive areas.
Thus need 3 things first study on carrying capacity of the region is done and
need based development, sewage water supply, and connectivity are made. If
these are taken care from the beginning, eco-system can be balanced and
conserved.
It is
direction less purposeless and confused policy that brought the disaster in
Uttarakhand and still we have not learned the lessons. Government must
intervene every time and to talk about criteria. It should focus on issues and
how these are planned to resolve. In the
policy, emphasis is given to local welfare activities, local employment, use of
local material local design concept (so that these sensitive areas should not
look like Urban cities) i.e., economic issues which really matter to the local
people. Sad part is that even a span of decade is not enough for the states to
form a tourism policy for Himalayan or eco-fragile areas and take appropriate
steps to make safe living and happy living for such distantly located citizens.
If done in good spirit, this will provide an opportunity for the locals and
stop exodus to urban cities for seeking jobs and displacement living style. If
locals get jobs, they will be ready to take the jobs infamous of thrill of
adventure, peaceful living where they grew up and young start-ups will be on
offer as per government’s policy. Work life balance will be there and as they
have something on stake, they will protect and preserve the heritage of the
destination. That is the main objective of Responsible Tourism practices. We
are determined to bring these changes and put India as one of the most
eco-friendly and Responsible Tourism destination in the world.