SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

GROUP- 4

Submitted by:

1) Divya (2020/430)
Introduction, scope & nature, difference between Sustainable Tourism and conventional forms
of tourism (Pg. No. 1-2)

2) Jnanita Asapu (2020/1808)

Characteristics of Sustainable Tourism, Reasons/causes for Sustainable Tourism to emerge,
Outcomes of sustainable Tourism (Pg. No. 2-5)

3) Kannkshi Rathi (2020/683)

Impact of Sustainable Tourism upon: Environment, society/culture, economy and international
perspective (Country-specific case studies) (Pg. No. 5-10)

4) Gandarapu Vagdevi (2020/1419)

Case study of Sustainable Tourism- Andhra Pradesh, India (Pg. No. 10-15)

5) Jasica Singh (2020/1406)

Benefits of Sustainable Tourism, India's National tourism policy (Pg. No. 15-17)

6) Silky Jain (2020/846)

Initiatives taken by Indian Government, state governments, International organizations and
private agencies (Pg. No. 18-22)

7) Lavi (2020/658)
Major locations of Sustainable Tourism in India and their performance (Pg. No. 22-24)

8) Manasvini (2020/684)
Recent trend, disadvantages of Sustainable Tourism, Sustainable Tourism products, conclusion
(Pg. No. 24-26)
Sustainable Tourism refers to sustainable practices in and by the tourism industry. It is an
aspiration to acknowledge all impacts of tourism, both positive and negative. It aims to
minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive ones. Additionally, they say that
sustainable tourism “refers to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of
tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three
dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability” (UNEP & UNWTO). Sustainability
principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism
development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to
guarantee its long-term sustainability.

Sustainable Tourism is one of the world's fastest growing industries and an important source
of foreign exchange and employment, while being closely linked to the social, economic, and
environmental well-being of many countries, especially developing countries. It relies on the
premise of taking care of the environment, society and the economy. Sustainable tourism
principles intend to minimise the negative impacts of tourism, whilst maximising the positive
impacts. It considers the needs of travellers, but also the needs of host communities, local
businesses and the natural world. This could mean adopting more sustainable methods of
transportation, staying in more environmentally friendly accommodation, eating locally and
ethically sourced foods, and avoiding harmful activities. Sustainable tourism can be related to
leisure, business or event travel, but also travel to visit friends and family too.

SCOPE AND NATURE OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

The World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full
account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the
needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities".

Nature of sustainable tourism

It is very crucial for sustainable tourism to contain following elements for possessing it's
sustainability character-
 Stakeholders are adept in their function/role.
 Presence of strong political leadership to make sure that there is a wide participation
and collaboration in all key players.
 Impacts are continuously monitored, and preventive or corrective actions are utilized
when necessary.
 Tourism should provide meaningful experience and high levels of satisfaction to
tourism.
 Raising tourists’ awareness about the issues and practices in sustainability.

Scope of sustainable tourism

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There are three dimensions of sustainable development - namely, economic, social and
environment- are developed and well- balanced. If one of these dimensions are neglected, the
others will also be at risk.
The three dimensions also comprise the scope that sustainable tourism covers.if the interaction
between all the three dimensions takes place efficiently then it can be balanced. As for tourism
to sustain itself, it must be able to continue for an indefinite time.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND OTHER

CONVENTIONAL FORMS OF TOURISM

When we evaluate the environmental, social and cultural impacts of the conventional tourism,
we often come to conclusion that it must be replaced by some sound alternative.
Increased tourism to sensitive natural areas without appropriate planning and management can
threaten the integrity of ecosystems and local cultures.
The increase of visitors to ecologically sensitive areas can lead to significant environmental
degradation.
Likewise, local communities and indigenous cultures can be harmed in numerous ways by an
influx of foreign visitors and wealth.
Conventional tourism is often impervious to the need of generating employment opportunities,
especially for local populace.
The sustainable tourism, on the other hand, seeks such opportunities and attempts to implement
the same.
While the conventional tourism is neutral to the ethics of the environment and society, the
sustainable tourism is not. It rather respects environmental, social and cultural values.
Sustainable tourism can produce the same profits as conventional tourism, but more of the
profits stay with the local community, and the region's natural resources and culture can be
protected.

CHARACTERISTICS

Sustainable tourism should:

 Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism
development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve
natural heritage and biodiversity.
 Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and
living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural
understanding and tolerance.
 Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to
all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-
earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to
poverty alleviation.

REASONS, CAUSES RESULTING IN ITS EMERGENCE

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Increased awareness of the issues surrounding climate change, deforestation, and displacement
of indigenous people and the preservation of natural resources has helped to contribute to the
growth of sustainable tourism, and it is essential for those in the industry to gain an
understanding of the concept.

 Rapidly expanding industry

Tourism is growing fast — clocking up nearly 4% growth in Travel & Tourism GDP 2018. In
doing so it’s bringing jobs to developing economies and lifting people out of poverty. Travel
& Tourism is a force for good and governments across the globe are realising its value. Witness
the ambitious plans of host country for the WTTC Global Summit in 2018 — Argentina. A key
focus here is eco-tourism with the intention to double the amount of space given over to
National Parks. Planning for managed growth at destination level and building sustainability
into plans from the start is essential for success over the longer term. The very things that
people want to see and experience when they travel can be spoilt by too great a volume.

 Cost effective
While transitioning to more sustainable ways of working can incur costs, finding ways to
reduce water and energy use, minimise carbon emissions and minimise waste all make great
business and financial sense. Large infrastructure projects like hotels, airports and cruise ships
are not easy to retrofit. But as new projects are developed, making sustainability a focus rather
than a nice to have is crucial. Many travel businesses are now setting ambitious goals for
sustainability. Tui’s Better Holidays, Better World strategy is one example. As Fritz Joussen,
TUI CEO puts it: “It futureproofs our business.”

OUTCOMES OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

 It Helps Protect Natural Resources-

The Earth has many ecosystems, and they are not renewable. This means that any chance we
have to avoid damaging them, we should take it. By practicing sustainable tourism, one can
help preserve the earth, its animals, and natural resources for future generations of both locals
and tourists. Another key benefit of sustainable tourism is the focus on protecting the
environment. Sustainable hotels and other forms of accommodation will use eco-friendly
materials and take steps to limit the amount of waste they produce or the amount of resources
they use. Sustainable transportation could involve hiring a bicycle, rather than using a car.
Sustainable restaurants, meanwhile, will source food locally and may offer more vegetarian
and vegan options.

 Local Communities Will Benefit

Ecotourism can bring a lot of benefits to the local communities, and by being a sustainable
traveller, you can play a part in this important movement. When tourists make the conscious
decision to turn to sustainable tourism companies, and when governments take steps to help
those companies too, they are all contributing to the wellbeing of local people. Sustainable

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tourism can provide jobs for the local area, funding for local projects, and stimulation for the
local economy. By contrast, mass tourism, with no focus on sustainability, is often more
exploitative and can inadvertently harm local culture and indigenous people.

 Tourists enjoy a More Authentic Experience

One of the biggest benefits of being a sustainable traveller means that you will be able to get a
first-hand glimpse into life as a local. You’ll learn the truth about their culture and environment,
and you’ll take home truly one-of-a-kind memories and experiences.

 It Looks Out for Wildlife

An important component of sustainable tourism is the conservation of wildlife and this ranks
among the most significant benefits associated with the practice. When decisions are made
with the needs of local wildlife in mind, it prevents natural habitats from being destroyed and
allows animals to thrive. Crucially, sustainable tourism also allows wild animals to stay in the
wild, rather than having them in captivity and used as a tourist attraction.

 It Can Change Attitudes

There are significant educational components associated with ideas like sustainable and
environmental tourism, and these can help tourists to adjust their attitudes and behaviours over
the longer term. This is important because the greater demand there is for sustainable tourism,
the more pressure will be placed on businesses and governments to deliver what customers are
looking for and, in the process, this can lead to positive and lasting change.

 It Has a Long-Term Focus

Ultimately, sustainable tourism has a much more long-term focus than other forms of tourism,
which prioritise the needs of today at the expense of future generations and their requirements.
A major advantage of sustainable travel is the fact that it brings together businesses, tourists
and governments, intending to adopt strategies that look out for the long-term future of the
tourism industry, local communities, tourists, and the planet as a whole.

 Demand from the tourist’s side-

A recent survey of travellers in 12 major markets showed that nearly 90% want to travel
sustainably and that two thirds would be willing to spend more to ensure their trip has as low
an impact as possible. These numbers represent a significant increase on even a couple years
ago. Creating more straight forward indicators of sustainable practice — such as being able to
choose a hotel that has certain standards of sustainability certification, a destination that
supports and involves communities and restaurants that source their food from local farms and
fields is therefore crucial.

 Securing Local communities and environment-

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Too many tourists in a small number of ultra-popular destinations is a theme that has also
dominated headlines. There’s a huge risk to Travel & Tourism if we don’t solve these problems
quickly. Some of those most impacted by unsustainable tourism practices are the people travel
businesses depend on for offering visitors meaningful cultural experiences. But these local
communities are best placed to develop plans for sustainable growth. Spotting the problems
first, local people come up with the most workable solutions. Copenhagen’s Localhood strategy
which focuses on ‘people-based growth’ is a great example of this approach.

 Employment generation-
The coming generations are passionate about protecting our planet. Millennials who are
increasingly the most dynamic and powerful generation in the workplace make choices as
employees based on business practices. As a sector we need to appreciate that if we want to
attract and retain the brightest people, we need to push the sustainability agenda harder and
faster.

 Stakeholder Participation-
Sustainable tourism development requires the informed participation of all relevant
stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus
building. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant
monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures
whenever necessary.
Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a
meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and
promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them.

IMPACTS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

I. Environment

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Tourism has a special, two-way relationship with the environment. On the one hand, the quality
of the environment is essential to tourism’s success, as this is very often what attracts people
to visit a place, and persuades them to go back. On the other hand, tourism can become the
vector of significant environmental pressures and impacts.

Potential adverse effects of tourism development relate to three main areas: strain on:-
 Natural Resources
 Pollution
 Physical impacts, typically involve the degradation of ecosystems.

Tourism leads to the exploitation of biodiversity and natural resources

Tourism puts enormous stress on local land use, and can lead to soil erosion, increased
pollution, natural habitat loss, and more pressure on endangered species. These effects can
gradually destroy the environmental resources on which tourism itself depends.

Tourism often leads to the overuse of water

An average golf course in a tropical country, for example, uses as much water as 60,000 rural
villagers. It also uses 1500 kilos of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides per year.

Tourism and climate change

Tourism contributes to more than 5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with
transportation accounting for 90 per cent of this. Climate change and tourism are closely
interlinked. While the tourism sector contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, for the most
part, derived from the transport of tourists, it also faces profound impacts from global warming.
The beach, winter- and nature-based tourism segments are likely to be most affected.

II. Society / Culture

Tourism is a cultural phenomenon. It both impacts cultures and society and is shaped by
cultures and society. There is a deep influence of tourists and tourism on the host country. the
cultural impact of tourism is concerned with the question of protecting and maintaining cultural
heritage and certain allied issues.

These broadly include:

 The threat to traditional customs specific to each country and sometimes to each region.
 The illegal trade in historic objects and animals

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  The commercialisation and commodification of traditional cultural events and arts and
the erosion of aesthetic values.

Impact on Local Communities

Local cultural frameworks have often been neglected by the mass tourism industry. Much is
normally erased for the sake of modern beach culture, bars, shopping malls, fast entertainment
and consumerism. Little attention has been paid to erecting quality, authentic and culturally
rich experiences that benefit both hosts and visitors. As a result, the majority of today’s tourism
destinations are unsustainable due to various factors such as too fast development and lack of
consideration of sustainable parameters, such as the environment and local communities.

POSITIVE IMPACT
1. Tourism may renew local architectural traditions on the condition that regional
peculiarities, the ancestral heritage and the cultural environment are respected. In the most
favourable cases, tourism may even offer a way to revive the social and cultural life of the local
population.

2. Tourism provides monetary incentives for the development of many local crafts and
culture, thus it has an effect on the income of the local artisans and artists. Tourism also helps
to preserve, retain and enrich our cultural heritage.

3. In the field of languages, most of the tourist centres are turned to be multi-lingual. The
guides, shopkeepers, and even street venders can communicate with the tourists in their native
languages. That is also a welcoming attitude and makes our culture more flexible and
accommodative.

FOR INSTANCE ;-Charmed by Indian dance and other art forms, many foreigners stayed here
to learn Kathakali (Kathakali is a stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive
make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body
movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion.

Culture and tourism have a mutually beneficial relationship which can strengthen the
attractiveness and competitiveness of places, regions and countries. Culture is an increasingly
important element of the tourism product as it creates distinctiveness in a crowded global
marketplace. At the same time, tourism provides an important means of enhancing culture and
creating income which can support and strengthen cultural heritage, cultural production and
creativity (OECD, 2009). Cultural tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing global
tourism markets and the cultural and creative industries are increasingly being used to promote
destinations.

III. Economy
“Tourism is important for any country’s economic development and progress. The World
Travel and Tourism Council reported that tourism generates about 16.91 lakh crore and

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contributes to about 9.2% of India's Total Gross Domestic Product according to the year
2018. And gave employment to about 42.673 million people. This sector is growing rapidly
worldwide and is forecasted to increase at an annual growth rate of 6.9% to 32.05 lakh crore
from the year 2028.”
Tourism is the collection of activities, services and industries that delivers a travel experience,
including transportation, accommodation, eating and drinking establishments, retail shops,
entertainment business and other hospitality services provided for individuals or groups
travelling away from home. It fundamentally contributes to national and local income.

Sustainable tourism is relatively a small segment of the overall tourism sector. At the same
time, it is one of the fastest-growing tourism segments and further rapid growth is expected in
the future. Sustainable tourism has evolved as a concept in tourism.
Impact of Sustainable tourism

 It could stimulate local industry i.e., hotel, restaurants, transport systems souvenirs and
guide services. It generates foreign exchange
 It diversifies the local economy, particularly in rural areas where agricultural
employment may be sporadic or insufficient
Some Negative Impacts of Sustainable tourism are:
 Tourism may cause degradation of the habitat by polluting waterways, accumulation of
garbage, over-harvesting of flora etc.
 Unregulated tourist activity may cause disturbance to the flora and fauna e.g. Visitors
may disturb nesting birds, use of spotlights shocks and disconcerts animals.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

 There is great potential for India to develop Sustainable tourism in India that enhances
socio-economic progress and development of local communities and conserves natural
habitats.
 Tourism can contribute about 3.1 to GDP and generates USD 7.6 trillion and 300
million jobs. Tourism generated revenue between USD 7000 to USD 300,000 in 2007-
08 from entry fees n 10 national parks in India.
 According to 2012, the planning commission identified tourism as the second largest
provider of employment for lower and semi-skilled labourers and contributes about 6%
to the country’s GDP.
 The growth rate for the tourism industry at an annual rate is forecasted about 8.8%
between 2011-2021 by the World Travel and Tourism Council. State and centre have
promoted Sustainable tourism which can protect and conserve tourism. Sustainable
tourism aims to conserve, and protect natural areas and generate employment and
income for local people.

IV. International Perspective

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Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world and can provide an essential
economic boost for countries pitching themselves as holiday destinations. Tourism, however,
has historically had devastating effects on the environment, people and their cultural identities.

Enter the concept of sustainable tourism, which according to the United Nations World
Tourism Organisation must:
 Conserve environmental resources and protect biodiversity
 Respect and preserve the cultures of host communities whilst benefiting them
 Address the needs of the visitors and industry whilst providing socio-economic benefits
to all

Here is how some countries practising sustainable tourism have gained worldwide popularity
with an increasing influx of tourists.

COUNTRIES SUSTAINABLE EFFORT

BHUTAN Controlled tourism in Bhutan

Bhutan, located in the East of the Himalayas, is known as one of the happiest
countries in the world.
Bhutan’s tourism operates on the principle of“ high value, low impact”. This
has been achieved by enforcing strict entry requirements and a daily visitor
tariff. A large portion of the tariff, however, is used to maintain and develop the
country’s infrastructure, as well as contribute towards Bhutan’s free health care
and education.

FIJI A solar powered resort in Fiji

Six Senses Fiji, located on the tropical Malolo Island, is a five star resort with
sustainable luxury and cultural awareness at its core. The resort runs on 100%
solar power, equipped with rainwater capture and its own onsite water-filtration
site to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles.

SOUTH AFRICA A community run backpacker in South Africa

Mdumbi, a backpackers on the Wild Coast of South Africa, aims to promote
“community involvement and sustainable eco-tourism”.With a number of
sustainability interventions onsite such as energy efficiency, solar power and
waste management, Mdumbi has a unique ownership model, with the local
employees, the amaxhosa community association, and TransCape all holding
shares in the business.

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 BELIZE Conservation ‘Voluntouring ’in Belize
Tourists are offered the opportunity to “join a team of local conservationists and
experts as part of a volunteer group working 5 days a week in the rainforests of
Belize.”

SWITZERLAND A sustainable tour operator come foundation in Switzerland

The Swiss Foundation for Solidarity in Tourism (SST) is a non-profit foundation
that grew out of one of the leading tour operators in Switzerland. The
foundation, founded in 2001, supports projects and organisations in Switzerland
and worldwide which look to improve the livelihoods of people in tourist
destinations, contribute to sustainable tourism development and contribute to
“intercultural understandings” between travellers and locals.

A CASE STUDY OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM - ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

ABOUT ANDHRA PRADESH

Andhra Pradesh is a southern state of India that has been bountifully endowed by nature – in
the form of hills and valleys of the Eastern Ghats. The state has a population of about 80
million, of which 7% population comprises tribal communities that live in forest tracts. The
state has a long coastline of close to 1,000 kilometres. It has immense natural resources in the
form of five major rivers and dense tracts of forests. The economy is primarily agrarian, with
more than 65% of people living in villages. Nevertheless, the cities are also vibrant, and the
new going to be the capital the city of Visakhapatnam is an international hub for IT,
biotechnological, manufacturing and knowledge-based activities. The state has rich cultural
and religious traditions, and also a strong Buddhist heritage. Because of the presence of some
of the holiest shrines, the state receives the largest number of domestic tourists.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INITIATIVES IN ANDHRA PRADESH

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Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation took the initiative of identifying
potential sustainable tourism spots in the state. It has successfully implemented a number of
popular sustainable tourism projects by involving the local community, at Belum caves,
revamping of Borra caves and an exotic jungle destination (Jungle Bells at Tyda in
Visakhapatnam District). The above initiatives have yielded excellent results, as the above
projects support rural livelihoods and provide opportunity to the tourist for interacting with the
local communities in sharing the local knowledge about primitive culture and traditions and
biodiversity in the area. The projects also have opened opportunities to the local tribal youth,
ethnic minorities and women who participate in operating the sustainable tourism projects on
a community basis and sharing the benefits.

The sustainable tourism activities are community-based. Basically all sustainable tourism
projects are rural-based and provide an opportunity to the tourist to know about the
environmental assets of the rural communities, local traditions, art forms and ethnic cuisine.
Conscious efforts have been made to preserve the natural beauty and environment while
creating infrastructure and facilities for tourists that fit in with the natural surroundings. Andhra
Pradesh is encouraging community-based eco-tourism in convergence with various
stakeholders from the government departments and the community. The Forest Department
under their Community Forest Management Program supports the initiative by providing
opportunities for jungle walks, forest retreats, wildlife tourism, bird watching and trekking.

New sustainable tourism initiatives

1. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), in coordination with the AP

Forest Department, has identified eight new sustainable tourism destinations, namely at
Maredumilli (East Godavari District), Nelapattu (Nellore District), Mamandur, Talakona,
Nanniyal (Chittoor District), Balapalli (Kadapa District), Ettipotala (Guntur District) and
Kambala Konda (Visakhapatnam District).

2. The operation model followed in these projects is as follows: Eco- tourism projects,
generally would involve nature treks, wildlife tourism and jungle stays. Local Forest Protection
Committees will provide accommodation, guide services, security and food.

3. The AP Forest Department will provide infrastructure under Community Forest

Management (CFM) and also help in management of eco-camps through local forest officials.

4. Transport to and from the destination will be provided by APTDC/ tourists. All eight new
initiatives have been made operational within a period of the last five years, and among them,
the Maredumilli sustainable tourism and ecotourism Project has shown the most encouraging
results.

About the community –based sustainable tourism centre at Maredumilli

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 The Maredumilli Forests of East Godavari District have rich biodiversity and the area has
semi evergreen forests with undulating terrain, which forms part of the Eastern Ghats. The
Maredumilli Community Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Area is situated on
Maredumilli – Bhadrachalam road, nearly 4 Km. away from Maredumilli village. The area has
many streams flowing over the undulating rocks in the deep woods and visitors have a thrilling
experience in the Nature.

The sustainable tourism project is managed by the local indigenous tribal communities of
Valamuru and Somireddypalem and also the Valmeekipeta Vana Samrkshana Samithi with the
active support of Andhra Pradesh Forest Department. The project was successfully completed
in a short span of time due to the commitment of the highly motivated community participation
coupled with the timely financial assistance from the World Bank aided Andhra Pradesh
Community Forest Management Project. This also provided a unique opportunity to the native
ethnic community to spread the message of conservation to the masses. The jungle star
campsite also comes into this domain.

Jungle star Eco-camp

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The highlight of the sustainable tourism project is the Jungle Star campsite, which is located
adjoining the Pamuleru River with the stream flowing on three sides overlooking the Vali-
Sugriva hill that is believed to be the battleground during the epic Ramayana period. The
camp is managed by the local Konda Reddy tribal community, which has been trained in
housekeeping, food and beverage production and servicing, guiding and security. The tribal
community takes up the whole responsibility of the safety and security of the tourists of the
camp. The community also organises tribal folk dances in the evening and traditional archery
for the tourists. The tourists will get the experience of staying in the deep jungles with basic
facilities without disturbing nature. The camp will be managed with a concept of “take only
memories and leave only footprints”.

Non- vegetarian food (chicken and other meat) is cooked in bamboo in a mud stove with the
help of firewood which makes the tourists encounter new and green styles of cooking practices
, some of them even feel this as a jaw- dropping experience and can’t believe that the dishes
are cooked in bamboo. This type of cooking process often adds an authentic tribal flavour to
food.

Other places around centre

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  Medicinal Plants Conservation Area: One gets the opportunity to explore nature and
learn about the biodiversity of Eastern Ghats with special emphasis on the medicinal
plant wealth of this area. Local tribes have been trained by the Forest Department in the
identification of the medicinal plants and their use. Guided treks are organised for the
tourists in an area of 260 hectares of undisturbed semi-evergreen forest. About 203
plant species, including medicinal and rare plants, have been identified in this area.
Tourists can have an insight into coffee cultivation through a visit to the luxuriant coffee
estates managed by the Forest Department.
 Jalatarangini: The area is rich in springs and rivulets with cascading waterfalls that give
a delightful experience to tourists. One such waterfall, called “Jalatarangini,” which is
very close to the campsite, is often the favourite spot of tourists.
 Madani Kunj: The Forest Department has also developed a wildlife- viewing place
called Madani Kunj with tropical plants and bamboo grooves adjacent to the Pamuleru
River.
 Pamuleru River: The place is regularly visited by wild animals like tigers, panthers,
bison, peacocks, red jungle fowl and other birdlife in addition to varieties of butterflies.

Economic benefits

The local tribal communities get many economic and social benefits from this innovative
project both directly and indirectly. These benefits can be listed as:

1. Revenue to the 30 local families involved in the tourism project that is additional to their
routine earnings.
2. Direct employment for 30 families, including women, in one way or the other through the
project.
3. Sale of tribal handicrafts made of bamboo.
4. Income from sales of forest products such as Honey, Gooseberry, Jackfruits and Toddy.
5. Tips from visitors while performing tribal folk dances.

Benefits to the Forest department

1. Effective protection of forest and wildlife with involvement of tribal communities through
Forest Protection Committees.
2. Weaning away the tribal community from practising shifting cultivation that is unsustainable
and harmful to the environment.

Social benefits

The local communities also get social benefits out of interaction with the visitors. As tourism
activity increases in the area, the local people exhibit their indigenous traditional skills and
disseminate these traditional knowledge systems to the visitors. The local tribes also get trained

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in interpreting the flora, especially the medicinal plants, as well as the habits and habitat of the
wild fauna, traditional therapies and healing system.

Social change

The most significant development in the area is a total return of peace. This area was until
recently a stronghold of left-wing guerilla extremists operating in Eastern Ghats forest tracts.
People used to get scared even to drive through the forest, let alone stay there. Now, with the
tribal community taking up the full responsibility of running the Sustainable tourism centre,
there is an unbelievable change in the safety and security perspective of the tourists. The
tourists have the opportunity to stay in the jungle that was once considered not safe. Jungle Star
Eco-camp is now a sought-after destination for birdwatchers, trekkers, butterfly lovers, wildlife
enthusiasts and people interested in jungle stays.

BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries and is also an important source of foreign
exchange and employment. Tourism also contributes a lot in the gross domestic product of our
country. Tourism is directly linked to social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the
region and its people, therefore it becomes essential to carry out it in a sustainable manner.

The WTO defines Sustainable Tourism as: “Tourism that takes full account of its current and
future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the
Industry, the environment and host communities.”

Sustainable tourism development is the process of creating and maintaining a sustainable

tourism industry in a particular location, region, country, or part of the world. This means that
tourism practices should place an emphasis on environmental sustainability, cultural
preservation, and long-term social and economic benefits. Sustainable tourism development
can be thought of as the creation of a tourism industry that does not prioritise the needs of now
ahead of the needs of the future. Sustainable tourism is important because it is necessary to
maintain the long-term future of the tourism industry. When tourism is made more sustainable,
it can create jobs and economic growth, while avoiding situations where local communities are
exploited, displaced, or made to feel like their culture is being adversely affected.

Sustainable tourism development focuses on three main areas

1. Environmental Impact: It is concerned with preserving the natural world and minimising the
use of natural resources. This means taking steps to promote ecotourism and avoid damaging
plants and wildlife, while also minimising greenhouse gas emissions and the use of water and
fossil fuels.
2. Socio-cultural Impact: This is concerned with issues like preserving local culture, avoiding
negative impacts on local society, and minimising problems like overcrowding.
3. Economic Impact: it is concerned about the issues linked with finances.

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Benefits of Sustainable tourism

 It has lower ecological Impact: The things you eat while on vacation have a huge impact
on your ecological footprint. A part of Sustainable tourism is eating locally produced
food. Eating local will save a lot of emissions and will be pocket friendly for tourists.
 Always wildlife to stay wild: The benefit of practicing sustainable tourism is educating
yourself about attractions concerning wildlife and avoiding them if they do not have
the best interest of the animals in mind.
 Sustainable tourism helps to keep the environment clean: ST focuses mainly on eco
friendly approaches starting from our travel to our stay.
 Supports local communities: it support local communities by directly stimulating their
economy.
 Employment generation and its quality: To increase the number of local jobs created in
the tourism industry and ensure that the pay and working conditions are fair, safe and
offered to workers without discrimination.
 Cultural Richness: develops respect for the cultural heritage, traditions, authenticity and
uniqueness of host communities.
 Biological Diversity: promotes to conserve natural areas, wildlife, and unique habitats,
protecting them and ensuring they are not damaged.
 Resource Efficiency: promotes use of sustainable and renewable resources when
possible in the development and operation of tourism facilities and services.
 Infrastructure: it stimulates the improvement of infrastructures like communication
routes, telecommunications, drinking water, sanitary sewerage, collection and final
disposal of solid waste, airports, etc.
 New Opportunity for Innovative Businesses: Tourism can help to create demand for
new products, services and other goods, and this can provide opportunities for
innovative businesses which in turn will help to improve relationships between tourism
companies and the local community and will also provide high quality jobs to locals.

THE NATIONAL TOURISM POLICY

The National Tourism Policy 2022 is part of the vision of New India on a high trajectory of
growth and prosperity. The new Police is a holistic framework for sustainable and responsible
growth of the tourism sector in the country.

Objectives of National Tourism Policy

The policy’s objectives include increasing the framework conditions for the country’s tourist
industry’s growth, assisting the travel and tourism sector, and promoting related businesses.
 To make India a year-round travel destination and to increase visitors, spending, and
time spent there in order to boost the contribution of tourism to the Indian economy.
 To create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in the tourism sector and ensure the
supply of a skilled labour pool.
 To make the tourist industry more competitive and draw in private sector investment.
 To preserve and enhance the nation’s natural and cultural resources.

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  To ensure the nation’s tourist industry develops in a sustainable, ethical, and inclusive
manner.

Guiding principles behind the Policy

National Tourism Policy, taking into account important recommendations from NITI Aayog,
the Sectoral Group of Secretaries, international best practices from organizations like the
UNWTO, and policies and strategies developed by other nations.

 To promote sustainable, responsible and inclusive tourism

 To promote digitalization, innovation and technology in the tourism sector.
 Private Sector led growth
 To promote Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
 To follow a destination-centric and tourist-centric approach

Highlights of the Draft National Tourism Policy

1. Industry Status to Sector: It mentions granting industry status to the tourism sector, as well
as granting infrastructure status to hotels, in an effort to attract investment.
2. Five Key Areas: Five key areas would be given significant focus in the next 10 years —
green tourism, digital tourism, destination management, skilling the hospitality sector and
supporting tourism-related to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
3. Advocacy for Appropriate Taxation and Subsidy Policies: The Mission will advocate
appropriate taxation and subsidy policies to encourage investment in sustainable tourism
activities and discourage unsustainable tourism.
4. Offers Framework Conditions: The draft policy doesn’t deal with specific operational issues,
but offers framework conditions to help the sector, especially in the wake of the pandemic. The
overall mission and vision are being laid out to improve the experience of tourists, foreign as
well as local.

The Policy will be In effect for 10 years starting from the notification date unless it is
subsequently extended. The majority of the policy’s requirements demand simultaneous and
coordinated action from the central level, state governments, local governments, and industry
stakeholders. Growth of the tourism sector will impact the Indian economy in terms of
spreading benefits across the country including remote areas and providing employment and
entrepreneurial opportunities to youth, women, marginalized sections of the society and those
in the informal sector.
Tourism plays a very crucial role in contributing to the GDP of our country. Travel and Tourism
in India was the largest service industry and was worth $234 bn in 2018. India ranks 6th
according to World Travel and Tourism Council in terms of Travel & Tourism's total
contribution to GDP in 2021. Hence it becomes important to promote tourism in a sustainable
manner to protect economic, socio-cultural, environmental effects of it and to promote the same
the government has come up with the National Tourism Policy which aims at holistic
development for sustainable growth of tourism sector in our Country.

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INITIATIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

I. BY INDIAN GOVERNMENT

1) Sustainable tourism criteria for India

The Union Ministry of Tourism launched the comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria
for India (STCI) which has three major segments of tourism industry, namely accommodation,
tour operators and beaches, backwaters, lakes and rivers sectors.

Accommodation

Tour operators
STCI
and beaches

Backwaters, lakes
and rivers
STCI has been launched to develop tourism in India based on principles of sustainability and
minimizing carbon footprints. Under this following steps have been taken so far:
 Hotels have been classified under various categories and guidelines have been issued
to incorporate various eco-friendly measures like Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), Rain
Water Harvesting System, waste management system, pollution control, introduction
of non-Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) equipment for refrigeration and air conditioning,
measures for energy and water conservation etc.
 Architecture in hilly and ecologically fragile areas should be sustainable, energy
efficient and in conformity with the local ethos.
 The tour operators approved by Ministry of Tourism have to sign a pledge for
commitment towards Safe & Honourable Tourism and Sustainable Tourism to fully
implement Sustainable Tourism practices.

2) Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0

It was initiated with a vision to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the
country in partnership with states/UTs by Ministry of tourism in 2022. The Scheme will
implement sustainable and responsible tourism practices in various projects and initiatives
under the Scheme. The Scheme will encourage adoption of principles of sustainable tourism
including environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability and economic
sustainability. Some of the initiatives will include:
 The States will ensure due consultation with local communities and stakeholders while
preparing projects for the development of destinations.
 The States will ensure development of accessible infrastructure and services at the
selected destinations under the Scheme.
 There will be adequate focus on capacity building among local communities in
particular youth and women to enable them to take up jobs and opportunities in the
tourism sector.

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  The States will also launch a sustainability campaign to encourage tourism enterprises
to adopt sustainable and responsible practices.
 The States will also sensitize tourists to respect the environment and behave
responsibly.

3) ‘Swachh Parayatan’ mobile app

Union Government has launched ‘Swachh Parayatan’ mobile application to keep tourist places
clean. This mobile app will enable citizens, tourists to take photograph of garbage seen at the
monument and upload it on the app along with his or her remarks.
On uploading images and remarks in the app, it will send an SMS to the ASI Nodal Officer
concerned with the monument to take further action to clean the garbage. Thereafter, the Nodal
Officer will send confirmation about the redressal of the complaint through a SMS.
Initially, the application facility will be available for 25 Adarsh Smarak Monuments protected
by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

II. BY STATE GOVERNMENTS

1) Ladakh- Friend of Ladakh / Eco-tourist

After a tourist arrives at Leh Airport, he/she can register as a Friend of Ladakh / Eco-tourism,
where he/she would be explained which guideline, behavioural aspects, they need to adopt,
during their travel and stay at Ladakh and he/she would pledge few commitments, Again while
returning, they have to submit a declaration, to which extent, they could keep their pledge in
percentage.
It is a Campaign planned and designed to ensure that all the tourists and the stakeholders related
to tourism, like Taxi Drivers, Tour Operators, Hoteliers, Small and Medium Business Entities
etc. - would commit to ensure to follow the strict guidelines and behavioural practices by
pledging to be a friend of Ladakh. A real friend does not cause any harm to a close friend,
whom he or she loves and feels proud of their friendship.

2) Rajasthan- Study On 20 Year Perspective Plan For Sustainable Tourism In

Rajasthan
The Strategic Action Plan for Tourism Development in Rajasthan focuses on the following:
 Creation of New Tourism Products
For e.g., developing boutique resorts, sports tourism, adventure tourism, tribal culture
tourism, archaeological tourism etc.
 Tourism as a Vehicle for Area Development
Improving civic infrastructure in clean and green manner, lake cleaning, city
beautification, decongestion of city, restricting vehicular traffic near pilgrim centres
 Creation of Tourism Relevant Direct Infrastructure
e.g., encouraging charter air services, Upgraded/international standard tourist
taxi/coach services, Solicit foreign investment in hotels segment, navigational aids on
all tourist routes etc.

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  Exploiting Opportunities to Increase Tourism Revenues
By extending tourist season, increasing average length of tourist in the state, increasing
span of tourist activity etc.
 Tourism Marketing
Research based marketing and promotion campaign, Attracting new tourist categories/
groups, Online/ Internet booking etc

3) Gujarat- Gujarat tourism policy 2021-25

Adoption of e-vehicle by tourism service providers.
Reimbursement of 50% of the certification fees paid to hotel/ wellness resort for obtaining
green building or sustainability certification under international accreditation.
Being vocal for local so that visibility of indigenous products increases through fairs.

4) Meghalaya- The homestay scheme

In a bid to exploit the employment generation potential in the tourism sector and boost tourism
infrastructure, subsidy and loans would be extended to people. Under this scheme, a 35 per
cent front-end subsidy would be given to those who wish to start homestays. Up to 70 per cent
of the financing would be done for the rural areas.
The government is working to improve facilities and infrastructure in a sustainable manner and
to promote local products. Since accommodation was found as the main hurdle in growth of
the industry, this scheme was launched with a total allocation of Rs. 60 lakhs.

III. BY INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

1) One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme

It was launched in 2015 by UNWTO with an aim to accelerate sustainable consumption and
production (SCP) in tourism policies and practices to address the challenges of pollution,
biodiversity loss and climate change. It operates as a multi-stakeholder partnership that
promotes knowledge sharing and networking to define collective priorities and identify
solutions.
It has 3 main areas of intervention:

 Global tourism plastic initiative

It has several commitments to meet by 2025 like Collaborate and invest to increase the
recycling and composting rates for plastics, move towards 100% of plastic packaging to be
reusable, recyclable or compostable, Take action to move from single-use to reuse models or
reusable alternatives, Eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and items etc.
Some of its work includes:
 Publishing monthly newsletters

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 The newsletter aims at disseminating the progress achieved by the signatories of the
initiative, as well as connected relevant information.
 Conducting events, workshops, seminars etc.
e.g., workshop on sustainable tourism in the blue economy etc.

 Integrating sustainable consumption pattern in tourism food value chains

For this it has launched various programmes such as:
 Sustainable food systems programme
It is a multi-actor partnership focused on catalysing urgent transformation towards
sustainable food systems, as a critical strategy to achieve the Sustainable Development
Goals.
 Sustainable Public Procurement programme
 Sustainable lifestyles and education

 Tourism climate action- Glasgow declaration

It was launched with an objective to raise the climate ambition of tourism stakeholders and
secure strong actions to support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach
Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.

2) Hotel energy solutions

An initiative by UNWTO to deliver information, technical support and training to help Small
and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism and accommodation sector across the EU 27
to increase their energy efficiency and renewable energy usage.
In response to the challenge of climate change, HES provides an online mitigation toolkit: the
HES e-toolkit to help hotels reduce their carbon footprint and operations costs, thus increasing
business profits. The easy-to-use and free of charge e-toolkit provides hoteliers with a report
assessing their current energy use, and recommends appropriate renewable energy and energy
efficiency technologies. It further suggests what savings on operating expenses hotels can
expect from green investments through a Return on Investments Calculator.

3) Green investments for sustainable tourism

Launched by UNWTO in collaboration with International Finance Corporation, it aims to work
with private sector partners to promote green finance and share experience in resourcing
sustainable buildings.
Its main objectives include:
Identify aggregators across the hotel value chain in order to promote and implement
sustainability measures (Performance and Efficiency), Provide skills training on green building
adoption and transitions to enable sustainable investments (Accreditations and Certifications)
and Facilitate sustainable investment mechanisms to access green finance opportunities
(Compliance and Brand Reputation).

IV. BY PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

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 1) The Outlook Responsible Tourism Initiative
The Outlook Responsible Tourism Initiative has been rallying to protect and preserve India’s
heritage, be it a monument or an art form, an endangered bird or a musical tradition, out in the
countryside or in backyard. They do it by celebrating and supporting people and planet-friendly
travel companies, hotels and homestays and also by telling travellers about the wonderful
journeys they can take.
Their methodology is to conduct awareness campaigns, summits and also provide people with
information of where they can stay, what food they can consumer there, what activities they
can undertake in order to preserve the environment. They also promote several regions and
locations in a state.
They have partnered with various institutions in order to promote sustainable tourism like
Incredible India, Meghalaya tourism, Awesome Assam, UNWTO affiliate member etc.

2) The green people

The Green People is a community that is working towards a conceptually new blend of Eco-
Tourism, Agro-Tourism and Rural-Tourism. They work towards letting the people of the hills
stay and take up occupations that are gradually becoming redundant. Their desire is to promote
development alongside ecologically responsible means.
The Goat Village, a bouquet of farm retreats and home stays managed by The Green People,
is an initiative having multiple social dimensions. The Green People has partnered with locales
across the state and managing them to create basic lifestyle experiences for visitors. Each
cluster of these accommodation locations are engaged in Goat Farming and many other Agro
practices to provide a better livelihood to the locals, and to give a first-hand experience to
tourists in basics of Life Sciences.
e.g., goat village nagtibha, hills of garhwal

MAJOR LOCATIONS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN INDIA

In India, the tourism sector is based on its unique endowments of biodiversity, forests, rivers,
and its rich culture and heritage. The challenges in this sector lie in successfully preserving
these in their original form, and making them accessible to domestic and international
travellers, together with safeguarding the economic interest and heritage of local communities.

As India will assume the Presidency of the G20 for one year starting this December, the
government aims to promote the country as a major tourism destination. The Government of
India is focused on encouraging the shift towards green tourism, which is a priority area as
India aligns tourism development with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of 2030.

Some countries have forayed into green tourism, and we can take a cue from their experience.
For example, Sweden has enhanced the travel experience by promoting rural and regional
tourism in core cities. It offers alternative forms of travel besides air and has award-winning

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Nordic sustainable lodgings. Slovenia's Green Scheme for Slovenian Tourism is a model where
destinations are evaluated in line with the global Green Destinations Standard.

In line with the goals of Sustainable Tourism, some ‘early bird States’ took the leap and also
received numerous accolades for their efforts. Through innovative means and political will,
they have not only invigorated local cultures and fragile ecosystems, but also boosted local
incomes through alternate livelihood generation. Three main states were the ‘early bird states’
in this direction. These are Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

1) Sustainable Tourism in Kerala

Kerala is the first state in India that has been conferred upon the top United Nations Award,
UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance, the highest honour
given to government bodies for shaping global leadership and creating innovative initiatives
for sustainable tourism. The path-breaking ‘Responsible Tourism’ (RT) project in Kumarakom
has successfully linked the local community with the hospitality industry and government
departments, thereby creating a model for empowerment and development of the people in the
area while sustaining eco-friendly tourism. This was achieved through a three- pronged strategy
encompassing: economic sustainability, Social responsibility and Environmental
responsibility.

 Economic Sustainability
 Equitable share
 Link between local farmers and hotels to supply vegetables

 Social Sustainability
 Women and children - to form cultural groups and perform in hotels & resorts
 Village Life Experiences (VIL) Packages - a day with farmers, a day with fisherman
& beyond backwaters
 to showcase rural life and sustain traditional occupations

 Environmental sustainability
 Collaboration with local Gram Panchayat in organising & training for the program
- 'Zero Waste Kumarakom'
 Mangrove regeneration program

2) The Homestay Scheme: Himachal Tourism

As accommodation is an important tourism component, the government of Himachal Pradesh
came up with a novel scheme that not only promises authentic experiences to tourists but also
ensures that host communities reap maximum benefits. The ‘Home Stay’ Scheme, which was
launched in 2008, sought to draw tourists away from posh and crowded urban areas to the rural
hinterland replete with natural surroundings, by providing them clean, comfortable and budget-
friendly accommodation and food.

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  divert the tourist traffic to new untapped places
 ‘Har Gaon ki Kahaani’ -fascinating tales, folklore and anecdotes related to their villages
to lure tourists.

3) Community Based Tourism Development in Sikkim

The eastern Himalayan state Sikkim provides a suitable backdrop for the promotion of rural
and community based tourism with its predominantly rural setting and beautiful natural scopes.
Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of Sikkim and it is one of Sikkim's largest
revenue generating sectors after agriculture, mining and forest.The concepts of rural tourism,
ecotourism, adventure tourism and homestays have become popular here. There are number of
villages in Sikkim where community based tourism and rural tourism is being promoted.

 Darap village in west Sikkim- storehouse of various rare and endangered species of
flora and fauna and various unique and rare aspects of the Limboo culture are preserved
in this valley.
 major village tourism and offbeat travel destination of Sikkim for its sustainable
tourism practices through Community Based Tourism Development
 local NGO named Darap Eco Development Committee
 organized the families and helped develop homestays
 identified potential destinations for visitors and
 created an infrastructure to develop the tourist spots
 ranging from trekking to picnic to meditation and farming
 also arrange mountain biking and learning the local language and cooking
The local resident of Darap and President of Darap Eco-tourism Committee received award for
State best tourism development committee in 2010 by department of tourism, Government of
Sikkim and he is also recognized as “Top 10 locals in tourism in the world” by leap local
published in guardian U.K on 19th June 2012.

These are a few examples that show the relative success of sustainable tourism immensely.
There are other areas as well in the country where sustainable tourism practices are increasingly
being adopted. The need to promote sustainable tourism is real and necessary in contemporary
context.

SOME RECENT TRENDS IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Sustainable tourism is a trend that has been growing in recent years, as more people become
aware of the impact that tourism can have on the environment and local communities. This
type of tourism aims to minimize negative impacts while maximizing positive ones, by
promoting responsible and ethical practices.

Some recent trends in sustainable tourism include:

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  Ecotourism: Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism that focuses on visiting natural
areas while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. It involves activities such
as wildlife watching, bird watching, and nature walks, and it aims to raise awareness
about conservation and environmental protection.
 Community-based tourism: Community-based tourism involves working closely with
local communities to promote tourism that benefits them economically and socially.
This type of tourism can involve homestays, cultural tours, and local food experiences,
and it helps to support local businesses and preserve traditional cultures.
 Slow travel: Slow travel is a movement that emphasizes taking the time to truly
experience a destination, rather than rushing through it. This can involve walking,
cycling, or taking public transportation, rather than relying on cars or planes. Slow
travel helps to reduce carbon emissions and encourages travellers to connect more
deeply with the places they visit.
 Responsible wildlife tourism: Responsible wildlife tourism involves visiting natural
habitats and observing wildlife in a way that does not harm the animals or their
environment. This can involve choosing tour operators that have a commitment to
responsible wildlife practices, such as avoiding activities that involve direct contact
with animals or disturbing their natural behaviours.

DISADVANTAGES OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Overall, the trend of sustainable tourism reflects a growing awareness of the impact that travel
can have on the environment and local communities. By promoting responsible and ethical
tourism practices, we can ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the world's natural
and cultural wonders. While sustainable tourism has some disadvantages and challenges that
come with implementing it. Some of these include:

 Higher costs: Sustainable tourism often requires investment in eco-friendly

infrastructure, local community projects, and responsible tourism practices. This can
result in higher costs for travellers, which may make sustainable tourism less accessible
to some.
 Limited availability: Sustainable tourism often involves limiting the number of visitors
to certain areas or attractions to reduce the impact on the environment or local
communities. This can result in limited availability and increased competition for
sustainable tourism experiences.
 Potential for green washing: Some businesses may claim to be sustainable or eco-
friendly without actually making significant changes to their practices. This can result
in green washing, which can mislead travellers who are trying to make responsible
choices.
 Difficulty in balancing economic and environmental goals: Sustainable tourism aims to
balance economic, environmental, and social goals, which can be difficult to achieve.
It can be challenging to balance the needs of local communities and the environment
with the economic benefits of tourism.
 Local resentment: Sustainable tourism can sometimes create tension between visitors
and local communities. Visitors may inadvertently disrupt local cultures or customs, or

25
 put a strain on local resources. This can lead to resentment and conflict between visitors
and locals.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PRODUCTS

Sustainable tourism products are travel experiences that aim to minimize negative impacts on
the environment and local communities, while providing meaningful and authentic experiences
for travellers. Some examples of sustainable tourism products include:
 Eco-lodges: Eco-lodges are accommodations that are designed to be eco-friendly and
sustainable. They often use renewable energy sources, reduce water usage, and
minimize waste. Some eco-lodges also have educational programs that teach guests
about sustainable living practices.
 Responsible wildlife tours: Responsible wildlife tours aim to minimize negative
impacts on wildlife and their habitats, while providing opportunities for visitors to
observe and appreciate them. This can include whale watching, bird watching, or
visiting conservation projects that protect endangered species.
 Community-based tourism experiences: Community-based tourism involves working
with local communities to create sustainable tourism experiences that benefit both
visitors and locals. This can include homestays, cultural tours, or local food
experiences. Visitors can learn about local cultures and traditions, while supporting
local businesses and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
 Sustainable adventure tours: Sustainable adventure tours focus on outdoor activities
such as hiking, cycling, or kayaking, while promoting responsible and sustainable
practices. These tours often take visitors to remote areas, where they can appreciate
nature and learn about environmental conservation.
 Educational tours: Educational tours aim to provide meaningful and educational
experiences for visitors, while promoting sustainable tourism practices. These tours can
include visits to museums, cultural centres, or nature reserves, and often have
educational programs that teach visitors about environmental conservation, social
issues, or cultural traditions.

In conclusion, sustainable tourism is a growing trend that aims to minimize negative impacts
on the environment and local communities while promoting responsible and ethical tourism
practices. Sustainable tourism products such as eco-lodges, responsible wildlife tours,
community-based tourism experiences, sustainable adventure tours, and educational tours
provide travellers with authentic and meaningful experiences while supporting local
communities and protecting the environment.
While there are challenges and limitations to sustainable tourism, such as higher costs and
limited availability, it is important to continue promoting and supporting sustainable tourism
practices to ensure the long-term viability of the tourism industry. By choosing sustainable
tourism products and promoting responsible and ethical tourism practices, we can help to
preserve the world's natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

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REFERENCES
 https://sustainabletourism.net/
 Indian Institute Of Sustainable Development (IISD)-
(Https://Iisdindia.In/Campaign.Php?C=Campaign-For-Sustainable-Eco-Tourism-In-
Ladakh&Id=66)
 Study On 20 Year Perspective Plan For Sustainable Tourism In Rajasthan, Department
Of Tourism Ministry Of Tourism, Art And Culture Government Of India
(Https://Tourism.Gov.In/Sites/Default/Files/2020-04/Rajasthan.Pdf)
 Meghalaya Tourism Development And Investment Promotion Scheme 2012,
Government Of Meghalaya Tourism Department
(Https://Meghalaya.Gov.In/Sites/Default/Files/Schemes/Mtd_Investment_Promotion_
Scheme_2012.Pdf)
 Gujarat Tourism Policy, 2021-25
(Https://Www.Grihaindia.Org/Sites/Default/Files/Pdf/Griha-Incentives/Gujarat-
Tourism-Policy.Pdf)
 Nwto.Org/Hotel-Energy-Solution
 Sustainable Tourism Criteria For India, Ministry Of Tourism
(Https://Tourism.Gov.In/Sustainable-Tourism-Criteria-India-Principles-And-
Indicators-Tour-Operator-And-Accommodation-Sector)
 One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme
(Https://Www.Oneplanetnetwork.Org/Programmes/Sustainable-Tourism)
 https://sumas.ch/5-examples-of-sustainable-tourism-around-the-world/
 https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/pdf/ASH/V1N2/Ash_V1_N2_006.pdf
 https://knepublishing.com/index.php/Kne-Social/article/view/765/2207
 https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Sustainable-Tourism-Through-Alternative-Forms-of-
Tourism-FK9TAEKTC
 https://www.unwto.org/sustainable-development
 http://www.apfdcl.com/FDCsustainabletourism/index.html
 http://www.iipt.org/IIPT20Book/article/Jayesh20Ranjan.India20Case20Study.pdf
 https://www.ripublication.com/gjmbs_spl/gjmbsv3n9_13.inc//.pdf
 https://www.unwto.org/sustainable-
development#:~:text=%22Tourism%20that%20takes%20full%20account,the%20envi
ronment%20and%20host%20communities%22

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