Cultural
Tourism is one of the fastest growing
global tourism markets. Infact, unique culture is increasingly being used to
promote destinations and enhance their competitiveness. Many countries are now
actively developing their Tangible and Intangible cultural assets as means of
developing competitiveness in tourism and its unique cultural identity in the
face of globalization.
To
understand the cultural tourism, we must first understand what do we mean by
cultural tourism and what are its components and then try to understand its
linkages in tourism. Cultural tourism is the subset of tourism concerned with
country or regions culture specifically the life style of the people in those
geographical areas, the history of those people their art, architecture,
traditions and customs, religious and such other components that directly or
indirectly shape their way of life. Cultural tourism includes tourism in rural
areas giving unique ethnic experience of local living style, cultural
events, marriage, festivals, and foods handicrafts, local house designs, and
rural life in particular. Similarly it also includes urban areas particularly
historic cities, large cities and their cultural facilities – such as Museums,
Theatres, Emporiums, Heritage Monuments, Shopping malls, Arts and crafts centers
mainly showcasing the uniqueness of the destinations. Now, urban areas are more
or less look wise very common. It is the rural areas showcasing the traditions
of the indigenous cultural communities (i.e., festivals, rituals, and food
style) and their values and life style is the major attractions. Thus cultural
tourism concept which emphasis people moving to cultural attractions away from
their normal place of residence with the intention to experience unique culture
and satisfy their cultural needs.
In
the case of India, its tourism identity is its rich cultural heritage as
depicted in its World Cultural Heritage monuments, Infact, since the
time of Indus valley civilization and till this date, its cultural heritage,
lifestyle and religious. Linkages (Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Jain, Christian,
Jens, Sikh) remain as main attractions. It is so deep rooted that in spite of
being one of the most scientifically and technologically advanced countries,
people always associate India with its rich cultural heritage and whatever be
the purpose of visit, some part of cultural experience through Rural Tourism,
Buddhist pilgrimage or Hindu pilgrimage or heritage monuments will be always
there. Cultural link is the main stay of Indian tourism and will be always
there.
Cultural
Tourism has provided for economic opportunities for economic development. But
there are management issues that are how to control tourism so that cultural
amenities are not destroyed and local people should not feel antagonized with
influx of tourist and violating their way of living or historical sites over
used, coastal eco-system disturbed or natural areas crushed in the name of
cultural tourism development. The need for control and policy for balanced
development should be adopted so that cultural environment is not lost.
As there will be demand for cultural tourism and most of the unique experiences are in eco-sensitive areas - rural areas, coastal areas, tribal areas, hill areas, wildlife areas, development pressures will be there based on demand. But the planners must anticipate and set the minimum level based on carrying capacity, local design and local people interest, to conserve the area's resources and prevent the saturation of the destination as to not abuse the product and there sources correspondingly. The plan should incorporate the locals to its gain by training and employing them and in the process encourage them to participate to the travel business and be stakeholders. There should be awareness to tourist about the destination, do's and don'ts and should have the concern or how to help sustain its character while broadening their cultural experience. Tourism can't be independent of the cultural linkages of the destination.