RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Dr Gour Kanjilal
[ Author And Tourism Representative Govt Of India ]
RESPONSIBLE Tourism complies with the principles of social and economic justice and extends full respect towards the environment and its cultures. It recognises the centrality of the local host community and its right to act as a protagonist in developing a sustainable and responsible tourism.
The genesis of responsible tourism lies in the growth of tourism as a global industry that sustains local economies, employs millions and connects them. As with all expansion of human activity, tourism brought in its wake some potentially damaging consequences, which include rampant development, ugly pollution and destruction of natural resources.
To combat this without negatively affecting economies that depend on tourism and instead to help them prosper in the future as well, responsible tourism came about, first as a nascent initiative attempted by lone crusaders in scattered pockets of the world, till it grew over the last quarter of a century into a movement that not only inspires and reforms but delivers bang for the tourist buck at the same time.
Responsible Tourism requires that stakeholders such as operators, hoteliers, Governments, local people and tourists take responsibility and take action to make tourism more sustainable.
Dr Gour Kanjilal
[ Author And Tourism Representative Govt Of India ]
