Responsible Tourism – A Strategy for Sustainable Development; Lessons from Kumarakom (original) (raw)
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Responsible Tourism and Sustainability: The Case of Kumarakom in Kerala, India
This paper discusses the notion of 'responsible tourism' and its current use within the tourism literature. We argue that the concept as used currently means everything and therefore adds nothing to the conceptual terrain of tourism trends and nomenclatures. We then introduce our own understanding of the concept arguing that while responsible tourism is linked to sustainability initiatives such as alternative tourism, ecotourism, ethical tourism, green tourism, soft tourism, pro-poor tourism, geo tourism, integrated tourism, community-based tourism, etc it also demarcates an analytical realm of its own. We suggest that the practical use of the term in areas where it has been adopted (such as South Africa and Kerala for instance) suggests a rather restricted use. We identified this realm as the tourism sector specific manifestation of the CSR agenda. Following Flyvberg's (2006) call for exemplars and paradigmatic case studies to advance knowledge in a particular domain, the responsible tourism initiative in Kumarakon, Kerala is presented. Discussion of the case study traces the particular governance context of Kerala and the position of tourism in the state economy. The responsible tourism initiatives at state level and local level are then described highlighting the 'how' of the implementation and the impact that it has produced. Generic, non-prescriptive principles that could be said to be necessary in some form for the successful translation of responsible tourism principles to practices are then identified. Such an approach is contrasted with one that places faith in the voluntary adoption of 'responsible' practices by the private sector on its own. It is argued that responsible tourism can make a contribution to practice provided that the conceptual terrain is delineated against other forms of tourism and if research within the terrain can unpack the particular forms of challenges that are thrown up by the delineation itself.
Sustaining responsible tourism – The case of Kerala
2015
Responsible tourism is a concept that overlaps significantly with concepts of sustainable tourism, ethical tourism, pro-poor tourism and integrated tourism (Chettiparamb and Kokkranikal, 2012). Responsible tourism emphasises the role of businesses in achieving sustainability and can be seen as yet another concept within the sustainable tourism genre, which comprises many forms of tourism such as ecotourism, ethical tourism, alternative tourism, green tourism, soft tourism, etc. Responsible tourism as a motto has now been officially adopted by many important tourism destinations. Though perhaps not yet a ‘movement’, the concept is increasingly being pushed by states and city governments on normative grounds. The international appeal of the concept could also be partly explained by the centrality given to the involvement and engagement of the private sector in managing impacts of tourism. Thus, besides offering a normative appeal, ‘responsible tourism’ also offers a pragmatic appeal i...
Responsible Tourism -Charting New Trend in Destination Marketing Lesson from Kerala
When tourism getting momentum globally, a concern irks locally is-is tourism really benefitting the common people in destinations? When ordinary people are forced to jeopardize their convenience for the pleasures of travelers and tour operators, a lion part of the income generated from tourism goes to minority business players. Even though these natural attractions are to be equally enjoyed by all, this paradox remain prevails. Here the novel concept Responsible Tourism (RT) tries to answer many of our apprehensions. This paper reiterates that RT initiative-a strategy to accomplish economic, social and environmental objectives simultaneously shall be the approach for destination management. The Sustainable Tourism Products (STP) and Community Based Tourism (CBT) products emerge as a new strategy for destination marketing, and this Cause Related Marketing (CRM) totally in line with pro-poor, inclusive, and sustainable development concepts creates a win-win situation among community, tourists and industry.
Journal of Hospitality Application and Research - JOHAR, 2018
Tourism in India is experiencing exponential growth with a massive contribution of 9.6% to the GDP and 9.3% to the total employment. Nevertheless, sustainability is emerging out to be one of the most predominant factors to be considered while developing and promoting Indian destinations. Ever since the formulation of its definition in the Brundtland Commission report, entitled Our Common Future, “Sustainable Development” has been invariably the most discussed concept in the development literature. To ensure sustainability, each stakeholder must be conscious about their actions and impacts on the destination. In that regard, Responsible tourism is a useful tool to identify key local issues and address them to attain sustainable development by providing clear report of the progress. The current study is an empirical analysis which tries to assess the extent to which responsible tourism practices are followed by different stakeholders at Yelagiri and consequently, highlight the sustainability of the destination. Both qualitative and quantitative data have been collected through questionnaires (i.e. structured and unstructured), field notes and participant observation. Thematic content analysis has been employed to analyse qualitative data while quantitative data has been analysed through SPSS software and Microsoft Excel. Qualitative data collected from the local community members and Govt. officials have been triangulated with the quantitative data collected from the tourists to further reinforce the findings. The findings of the study reveal positive economic benefits to the host community albeit negative social and environmental impacts on the destination; thus, pointing towards unsustainable development.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AS BEST PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM-A CASE OF KUMARAKOM IN KERALA
International journal of tourism and hotel business management, 2021
Responsible tourism has currently been formally adopted by several vital touristy destinations and tourism businesses. The idea has additionally been actively promoted by educational centers of study like the International Centre for Responsible Tourism and International Conferences. The idea of responsible tourism then overlaps considerably with connected ideas of sustainable tourism, ethical tourism, pro-poor tourism and integrated tourism. Ecotourism is a key sort of sustainable tourism with primary purpose of promoting responsible travel within the natural scenic places invested with wildlife, forests and indigenous people. Excluding giving novelty and activity-based experiences for guests, ecotourism as a subset of nature-based tourism offers importance on the eco-friendly accommodations, transportation, green energy, recycling, solid waste management, use of native products, sale of native crafts, wipeout of financial condition and unemployment, etc. During this regard, responsible tourism has been adopted as an approach to make sure the overwhelming cooperation and support of local communities for dynamic economic linkages. Whether it is community or tourists or accommodation operators or tour operators or local souvenir shops, each ought to work as a responsible partner to preserve the pristine beauty of ecotourism sites by adhering to the ethical practices and each must be conscious of their duties and responsibilities in contributing to the local area development. This paper discusses the notion of responsible tourism as a best practices for sustainable ecotourism to for the present and as well as future.
Tourism Industry: Focussing Sustainability Contemplating Adversity
SALESIAN JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES
Tourism industry helps generate employment, reduce poverty and contribute to the overall economic growth of many developing and developed nations. Tourism Industry has been considered to be the disseminator of economic progress for many developed and developing economies. Growth in tourism automatically creates a backward and forward linkage with other sectors, developing into an important tool of income generation for these sectors. It has turned out to be the key driver of socioeconomic progress for a country through generation of export revenues, creation of jobs and entrepreneurial units, and infrastructure development. However, tourism does have both positive and negative impacts on the people and the environment. As the tourism sector is poised for massive growth if it is not addressed well, it may lead to serious financial leakages, socio-cultural tensions and environmental damages to the local communities. Therefore, it has become highly essential that tourism be developed and practiced more sustainably by developing strategic policies and tools to maximize the industry's positive effects while minimizing the negative impacts of the industry on the society. Sustainable tourism practices must become an important objective in the development process of an economy. The paper aims at discussing the importance of sustainable tourism practices and various guiding principles that could help shape sustainable tourism in developed as well as developing countries. The paper discusses a case on Sikkim to address the impacts of tourism on the local community in general. The case also brings forth the sustainable development practices that are being adopted by Sikkim Tourism.
Sustainability in Tourism Development: Issues and Challenges Ahead
2013
Tourism has become World’s largest and fastest growing industry with employment of 260 million people and contribution to 9% of world’s GDP. In today’s scenario Sustainable tourism is a responsible tourism intending to generate employment and income along with alleviating any deeper impact on environment and local culture. “Tourism destroys Tourism”-has been observed through many case studies like Shimla and Mussoorie. That’s why the need of the hour is that balance must be found between limits and usage so that continuous changing, monitoring and planning of the tourism projects ensures management of tourism for the longer run and for the generations and generations . Economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development must include the interests of all stakeholders including local people or communities, visitors, industry and government. In this paper it is aimed to understand the awareness of the planners and other stakeholders about sustainable development. Furt...
THE KERALA DECLARATION ON RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
was attended by 503 delegates from 29 countries. The delegates came with a broad range of experience and expertise from diverse cultures, environments and backgrounds. There were delegates from international organisations, the national and local government, local communities, airlines, hoteliers, tour operators, service providers, protected areas, NGOs, academia, architects and planners, the media and consultants.
Sustainable Tourism Development
Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world, but the impact of tourism is extremely varied, with both positive and negative fallouts. This has led to a greater focus on sustainable development of tourism for the economy, environment, and society at large.
Is Being Responsible Sustainable in Tourism? Connections and Critical Differences
Sustainability
Since the early 1990s, sustainability has formed a development paradigm for tourism. Recently, however, researchers and policymakers have shown considerable interest in the notion of responsibility in tourism. While responsible and sustainable tourism share many common elements, their ideological context and societal background may involve critical differences. The purpose of this review paper is to discuss the ideas of responsibility and sustainability in tourism and especially how they have emerged in tourism studies and activities, and what implications their differences may have for tourism development and its future practices and policies. Here, sustainable tourism is understood as being based on regulative structures involving multiple scales of policies and decision-making, while responsible tourism derives some of its core focus and practices from neoliberal governance with its emphasis on individualized and personalized behavior and decision-making. These different contextu...