[Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://bwhotelier.businessworld.in/article/UNWTO-launches-Global-guidelines-to-Reopen-Tourism/30-05-2020-193636/Tourism holds a significant place in the economy with the growing need to travel to new unexplored places rising. People are increasingly seeking out the opportunity to avail of recreation and leisure in these new destinations. Although mainstream tourism contributes a huge amount in terms of GDP and generates substantial employment, it comes with its own set of drawbacks. In practice, the business of attracting potential tourists, arranging their travel, accommodating them and entertaining them through activities has led to a strain on existing resources. The alarming rate at which resource depletion is occurring due to the tourism sector indicates that visitors only seem to take from a space without replenishing it in any way. Even if tourists cannot contribute to the place and the local community in a better way, the least they should do is minimize their negative impact. Having internalized this possibility, alternate ways of approaching tourism have stemmed from the idea of responsible tourism. Certain sub-categories of tourism provide the necessary means to reverse the detrimental effects of excessive human activity and present a promising picture. This main aim of this piece is to define and differentiate between often interchangeably used terms within tourism. It clarifies what each type of tourism entails and its scope, you might realize that some terms below could be located within another form of tourism.
Sustainable Tourism
The concept is based on the idea that during travel a tourist
aims to minimize negative impact on economic, environmental and socio-cultural
aspects. This is achieved by identifying ways of generating economic benefits
for the local communities, improving their working conditions which will result
in increase in the general standard of well-being. The customs and way of life
of the local people should not be disturbed and instead all their basic needs
should be covered before the tourists. Sustainable tourism is designed keeping
in mind the involvement of the local body to be able to incorporate their
requirements and give them control of the decision-making process. Furthermore,
it goes beyond just people and makes positive contributions to the conservation
of nature and implements mechanisms to enhance cultural heritage while ensuring
that the biodiversity of the place is respected. Preferably the number of
people allowed in a natural habitat should be limited a certain amount so that
waste can be easily managed. Moreover, sustainable tourism operates with the
vision that conservation of nature is done so that nature thrives for the
future generation and assumes a holistic approach. Similarly with regards to wildlife, tourists
should ideally be mere observers and not attempt to interfere or cause problems
to the animals indigenous to the region.
Eco Tourism
Eco Tourism is a form of sustainable tourism and has
developed with the scope to ensure that the natural environment is at the
centre of holiday planning. A major distinction point of eco-tourism is that it
is opposed to mass scale mainstream tourism that makes it responsible as well.
The latter just fulfils the purpose of maximizing the tourist’s happiness with
little or total neglect to the surrounding flora and fauna. In Eco tourism, no
amount of damage or disruption to the existing habitat can occur and the plans
are devised in such a way that natural areas are explored optimally. Once can
expect to visit pristine undisturbed natural settings which are relatively
fragile. It does make a genuine attempt to raise the financial standards of the
locals in terms of earning prospects. Interestingly, it provides financial
benefits in favour of the conservation and reviving of the environment. All
sorts of detrimental human impact is minimized by building environmental and cultural
awareness of the unique habitat. What eco-tourism promotes is greater
understanding of nature in all of its diverse forms and in turn increase
appreciation for it. Experiences have to be structured in such a manner for
tourists that they uphold the principles of eco-tourism alongside introducing
people to the host countries socio-political culture. Lastly, it aspires to
recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the indigenous people to work
with them for their empowerment.
Responsible Tourism
Responsible tourism comes across as a structural shift from
traditional tourism to one which focuses on an entire body of people pitching
in to create spaces which are better for people to live and visit. Parties such
as the government, hoteliers, operators, local members and tourists alike have
almost an equal stake in taking responsibility to make tourism more sustainable
in the long-run. Thus it has come to be recognized as an approach that is an
objective that the industry aims to follow. Although responsible tourism can
take a variety of forms, it mainly stresses on enjoyable experiences for
tourists so that they can make a meaningful connection with the local people
and understand their life with the surroundings with humility. Since tourism
generates quite a bit of capital it seeks to utilize the overall positive
impact of it to invest in creating novel ways to salvage the environmental
damage.
Community based Tourism
As the word itself suggests, community is a space
characterized by collective responsibility on the smooth running of its
everyday operations. Derived from this is the understanding that community
based tourism is one where the local residents open up their living areas for
tourists to not just visit but even stay at. The provision of authentic
accommodation is done with the incentive of firstly generated income and
secondly offering an unforgettable experience. The tourist stationed at such a
place will get time to pick up on culturally rich traditions and practices and
in turn appreciate an alternate way of life. The visiting of tourists on a
scale of few numbers diversifies the job profile where certain members of the
community get to be- service providers,
land managers, entrepreneurs and so on. When the local population
realizes the value that their space holds, they will voluntarily take up the
initiative to restore and foster community based conservation of resources. In
certain circumstances it connects the local residents to the outside world with
the intent of accessibility. Since the influx of tourists will require them to
be in touch with the responsible parties, a phone is mandatory and perhaps even
access to mail. This might make them feel more empowered as embracing
technology does have its own sets of benefits. On the whole, the community will
observe an upliftment in terms of development if they willingly invite this
mode of tourism.
Alternate or Off-Beat
Tourism
Off-beat tourism tries to tap into persuading tourists to
visit new unexplored places as opposed to the usual popular tourist
destinations. Sometimes it markets itself on the idea of being an escape to the
hustle-bustle of cities into a serene getaway with incredible experiences. The
beauty of these places is raw and thus has more to offer in its true sense,
making the trip one of a kind for the tourist who can absorb each moment.
Similarly, alternative tourism is the complete opposite of mass organized tourism
and focuses on encouraging interactions of the tourists to nature and
communities. This generally occurs with travel groups comprising of fewer
numbers so that planning is done accordingly.
References
·
What is Responsible Tourism? (2020, April 17). Retrieved July 29,
2020, from https://responsibletourismpartnership.org/what-is-responsible-tourism/
·
Definitions. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://sustainabletourism.net/sustainable-tourism/definitions/
·
Traveling Responsibly. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://sustainabletourism.net/
·
RinkeshA true environmentalist by heart ❤️. Founded
Conserve Energy Future with the sole motto of providing helpful information
related to our rapidly depleting environment. Unless you strongly believe in
Elon Musk‘s idea of making Mars as another habitab. (2020, May 13). What is
Ecotourism? Principles, Importance and Amazing Benefits of Ecotourism.
Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/principles-importance-benefits-ecotourism.php
·
What Is Ecotourism. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://ecotourism.org/what-is-ecotourism/
·
What is community based tourism? Travel like a local. (n.d.).
Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://www.responsibletravel.com/copy/what-is-community-based-tourism
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