Sustainable tourism
Representational Image | Courtesy: Alka Jha, Unsplash

Sustainable Tourism And Its Importance

And it's not just the tourists who need to be educated—the locals need to be taught too. This is because they are the ones who are going to be most affected by sustainable tourism

October 16, 2022

Have you ever heard of sustainable tourism? And if you have, then have you ever questioned what is this all about?

It is about making tourist destinations better for people to live in as well as visit.

That means preserving the natural beauty of a place, while also ensuring that the local community benefits from tourism.

In a nutshell, this type of tourism refers to the type of tourism that doesn't have a negative impact on the environment or the local culture.

Tourism in India has witnessed exponential growth in the past few decades. Though this growth has helped the Indian economy grow, this growth has also resulted in many of India's natural resources being overexploited.

Sacred sites are being destroyed, and traditional villages are being replaced by tourist traps. If India wants to maintain its cultural heritage and protect its environment, it needs to embrace sustainable tourism.

Importance Of Sustainable Tourism

It is about reducing the negative impact of tourism on the environment. That means things like using less energy, producing less waste, and promoting responsible transportation options.

Achieving this is a continuous process that requires constant monitoring of impacts. Achieving it is not easy, but it's worth it—both for the environment and for the communities that rely on tourism to survive.

This type of tourism can help preserve the natural environment and traditional cultures. When tourism is managed in a sustainable way, it can bring economic and social benefits to local communities.

However, it is not always easy to achieve sustainable tourism. There are many factors that need to be taken into accounts, such as the type of tourism activity, the scale of operations, and the impact on the environment.

Moreover, it's important that both the government and the private sector work together to make sustainable tourism a reality.

As individuals, we can start by educating ourselves about the issue and talking to others about it.

We can also get involved in local initiatives that are working to promote sustainability.

And finally, we can spread the word about sustainable tourism to as many people as possible.

How Can Sustainable Tourism Be Improved in India?

So, how can sustainable tourism be improved in India? There are a few ways that this can be done.

First of all, we need to raise awareness about the importance of this type of tourism. This means teaching people about the negative effects that tourism can have on the environment and local communities.

And it's not just the tourists who need to be educated—the locals need to be taught too. This is because they are the ones who are going to be most affected by sustainable tourism.

Secondly, we need to put in place more regulations to ensure that tourism is sustainable. This includes things like stricter guidelines for hotels and resorts and more regulations for transportation.

And finally, we need to invest in infrastructure projects that will make sustainable tourism easier and more efficient. This includes things like better transport systems and more eco-friendly hotels and resorts.

The Challenges

When it comes to sustainable tourism, India is at a bit of a disadvantage. There are a lot of things that one needs to take into account, from the infrastructure to getting the local community on board.

For starters, most of the infrastructure for tourism is based on large hotels and resorts. And while that might work for some tourists, it's not really sustainable in the long run.

We need to find a way to accommodate smaller hotels and resorts, as well as promote homestays and village tourism.

Another challenge is managing tourist flows. We don't want to overwhelm local communities or damage the environment. So it's important to find the right balance and ensure that tourists have a positive impact on the community.

Conclusion

Developing tourism in a sustainable way is the future of the tourism industry. If done correctly, it can help to preserve the environment and benefit the local communities.

There are a number of ways to make your tourism more sustainable. You can choose to stay in eco-friendly hotels, use public transport, and eat locally-sourced food.

If you're looking for an authentic travel experience, sustainable tourism is the way to go. Be sure to do your research before you book to find the most sustainable option for you.

ALSO READ Karhali Gaon: An Initiative To Boost Rural Tourism

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