Tourism a Boon!
We should all feel very proud to be a part of an industry that is set for phenomenal growth, while doing so much for the global environment and people in every country, who are in need of work and sustenance. Each one of us, is becoming responsible citizen and spreading the word far and wide. We don’t just make travellers tick off destinations and things-to-do on their travel calendars anymore, we help them discover, have adventures, build relationships and learn about people, their diversities and the world… responsible and sustainable tourism is all about brotherhood and caring!
In India, our government is pushing for both responsible and sustainable tourism with the Hunar se Rozgar Tak scheme (from acquirement of skill to employment). Under this scheme, hundreds are being trained and given scholarships from villages and small towns in India to work in hotels and resorts in their states to benefit the livelihood and income of their families.
We are proud to see the government also pushing sustainable tourism. Hotels are being asked to buy their daily culinary needs from farms, dairies and poultries in the region, thereby sustaining the lives of many farmers in the surrounding areas, besides giving trainings and employment to their youth. Rural tourism is being promoted, albeit a little slowly but results are beginning to show. Families are being taught about different cultures in the world and how to make tourists feel comfortable for homestays with families. The feedback from tourists who have had this experience is very encouraging.
As an industry we need to follow some of the codes of conduct very diligently, like adopting practices that conserve the environment, including the use of renewable resources in a sustainable manner and conservation of non-renewable resources. It is important while designing our itineraries to always consider community attitudes, values and concerns, including local customs and beliefs.
If we, as an industry, can make people believe that they can grow as individuals through their travel experiences, and with their trips make a positive contribution towards conserving global diversity and livelihood – we will have achieved something that many generations to follow will remember us for and we can be proud of being the harbingers of this conservation global movement.