| Responsible tourism is a new concept in the tourism | | | | communities and the tourists. |
| industry. This concept was developed by Jost | | | | To develop India as a Responsible tourism destination, |
| Krippendorf in the 1980's. His aim was to "to develop | | | | ICRT India which stands for International Centre For |
| and promote new forms of tourism, which will bring the | | | | Resposible Tourism works in collaboration with private |
| greatest possible benefit to all the participants - | | | | sector, government and local communities. It is a |
| travelers, the host population and the tourist business, | | | | Bangolore based non-profit organization, establishes in |
| without causing intolerable ecological and social | | | | 2006, whose main objective is to "take responsibility |
| damage." | | | | for achieving sustainable tourism, and to create better |
| Responsible tourism can be defined as " tourism which | | | | places for people to live in and for people to visit." It |
| creates better places for people to live in, and better | | | | provides policy advice, research and consultation on |
| places to visit". Some of the main objectives of | | | | developing Responsible Tourism in India. |
| Responsible tourism are as follows: | | | | Among all Indian states, Kerala has pioneered in |
| 1.To respect local cultures - traditions, religions and built | | | | practicing innovative tourism ideas. It is a state which is |
| heritage. | | | | rich in traditions and culture. It has started Responsible |
| 2. To protect the environment - its flora, fauna and | | | | tourism in the state to create awareness among all |
| landscapes. | | | | stakeholders for a better environment to live and visit. |
| 3. To conserve natural resources - from source to | | | | Kerala has organized the second International |
| destination. | | | | Responsible tourism conference from 21st March to |
| 4. To benefit local communities - both economically and | | | | 24th March, 2008. |
| socially. | | | | Some of the successful Responsible tourism projects |
| 5. To minimize pollution - through noise, waste disposal | | | | of India are - |
| and congestion. | | | | "Sunderban Jungle Camp" initiated by Help Tourism |
| In a nut shell, Responsible tourism is that form of | | | | group to connect the heritage sites and protected |
| tourism in which initiatives and responsibilities are taken | | | | areas of Sunderban with the livelihood of the local |
| by both the tourists and the travel agencies to | | | | communities through community-based, environmentally |
| maximize the positive impacts and minimize the | | | | and socially responsible tourism. |
| negative impacts on environment, traditions and cultural | | | | "Awake and shine" is another successful Responsible |
| heritage of the region. | | | | Tourism project. This project was started by Retired |
| Responsible Tourism is rapidly growing global trend. | | | | Indian Army General "Jimmy" Singh in May 2006 to |
| Some of the nations like South Africa, the United | | | | develop the Samthar Plateau near Kalimpong(40km) |
| Kingdom, United States, the Gambia, Sri Lanka and | | | | as a tourist destination depending on the homestay |
| India are already practicing Responsible Tourism and | | | | holidays, local handicrafts and other products. This |
| gradually other nations are also following the ideologies | | | | project has helped the local community to improve |
| of these countries. | | | | their life style and the region to make its mark on the |
| India has an abundant scope to emerge as a | | | | Indian tourist map. |
| Responsible tourism destination. Indian tourism industry | | | | Another the Responsible Tourism project of India is in |
| has grown immensely in the last five years and it is for | | | | the Anakkara Spice Tourism village in Idukki district of |
| sure that in the upcoming years India will become a hot | | | | Kerala. This project was started in October 2004 by |
| tourist destination of South East Asia. To sustain this | | | | Women in Agriculture (WIA), a group of women who |
| growth process it is necessary that all the | | | | has joined hands to preserve nature, share benefits of |
| stakeholders of the Indian tourism industry ie tour | | | | tourism among the local populace and boost the local |
| operators, government agencies and NGO's must | | | | economy. This project has enable these ladies to |
| work in cohesion. They must protect the heritage of | | | | improve their standard of living by providing their share |
| our country which in turn will benefit both the local | | | | of income in the well being of their family. |