Boosting Responsible Tourism

Ayodhya seems to be on top of the list of places to visit for most Indians now, at least for those who have not visited the temple town yet. The recent inauguration of the Ram temple has brought the small town into the limelight in India and elsewhere. The rapid roll-out of high-end physical infrastructure like a modern airport and an enviable railway station is the subject of much discussion on social media. Hotel chains are commissioning new properties, and airlines are scaling up services. Quite apparently, the potential of tourism is driving up sentiments, and the local economy is likely to experience a big push forward.

Tourism is a major driver of many economies around the world—in countries like Egypt, South Africa, European nations, and closer to home, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Many cities around the world are special attractions and are much sought-after. Tourism brings many valuable benefits to both the tourist and the host country. For the tourist, it provides close insights into the life, culture, customs, and food of a foreign country and its people. This can prove immensely enriching and impactful. Take, for example, the unparalleled discipline and dedication of the Japanese that one can observe on a visit to that country.

Then there are the unparalleled experiences like those of the pristine Swiss Alps, the magnificent sun-soaked beaches of Goa, Kerala, and Odisha, the wildlife on the African continent, and the delectable cuisines around several countries. As for the economy, tourism receipts represent an invisible export, in as much as a local product or service is purchased or consumed by an overseas customer by paying in foreign currency. Needless to say, the employment opportunities in the sector are among the biggest.

Quite obviously, every country is working to leverage its tourism assets to the fullest. And that’s the way to go. The success of our own ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ will surely help significantly boost tourism, both local and foreign, significantly. So will the major thrust be on the modernisation of our infrastructure—roads, railways, airports, etc.

Alongside these, we believe that there must be all-round campaigns to inculcate ‘responsible tourism’ in all. There have been reports for some years now that the fragile Himalayan ecosystem is under threat due to increasing tourism and inappropriate behaviour by tourists—plastic littering, vehicle emissions, and so on. Similarly, many beaches, lakes, and water bodies are being polluted due to overexploitation. There have been calls for limiting the number of tourists that can visit an ecologically fragile location each season. Authorities will have to work out appropriate measures. In the meantime, tourists must embrace more ecologically sustainable practices that conserve and protect the natural environment and also respect the local people, their cultures, and traditions while enjoying nature’s bounty. We, as hosts, are also under an obligation to treat all tourists, including overseas ones, with due respect and dignity. Sadly, on some occasions, this has been lacking. This needs correction mostly by voluntary action and, where necessary, by regulation.

There are many dimensions to the subject of tourism. We have attempted to bring you several of them in this issue of Urban Update. We are sure that readers will find the issue engaging and of value.