Sustainable Tourism Practices and Planning

This assignment delves into the concept of sustainable tourism, examining key principles, planning stages, and successful implementation strategies. It analyzes academic literature on sustainable tourism development, highlighting different approaches and challenges faced by various destinations. The assignment also presents case studies from diverse locations, showcasing best practices and lessons learned in promoting responsible and eco-friendly tourism.

SUSTAINABLE
TOURISM

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Tourism Stakeholders and their benefits from planning of tourism developments in India
................................................................................................................................................1
1.2 The advantages and disadvantages of public-private partnerships in tourism planning and
development...........................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Steps of tourism development planning process and analyzing its features at different
levels.......................................................................................................................................3
2.2 Significance of interactive planning systems and processes in tourism development in
India........................................................................................................................................3
2.3 Methods of measuring tourist impacts.............................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Introduction to the concept of sustainability in tourism development.............................5
3.2 Factors hindering sustainable tourism development in the country.................................5
3.3 Different stages of planning in tourism sustainability......................................................6
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
4.1 Evaluating methods to resolve the conflicts of interests in developing tourism destination
................................................................................................................................................8
4.2 Analysis the implications of balancing supply and demand in tourism...........................9
4.3 Evaluating moral and ethical issues of enclave tourism...................................................9
TASK 5..........................................................................................................................................10
5.1 Current Issues of tourism in India and Nepal.................................................................10
5.2 The future development of tourism in India and Nepal...............................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Sustainable tourism is a kind of tourism that takes into accounts the actual and upcoming
economic policies as well as sociology and environmental consequences along with addressing
the needs of the visitors, industry, environment and hosting communities (Pineda and Brebbia,
2012). In this report of sustainable tourism, development of tourism in India will be discussed.
From the recent research and development of tourism in India, it is clarified that the Ministry of
tourism made bold strides towards increasing sustainable tourism practices between the three
dimensions (Social, Economic and Socio-cultural) of the country. This report has lighten the
appealing and developing tourism sector in India that showed a great scale of tourists. It can be
assess through the outcomes of 2010 data of international tourist visit, which was 41,000 tourists
in that particular year and hence they provided country $90 million (Banerjee, 2013).
TASK 1
1.1 Tourism Stakeholders and their benefits from planning of tourism developments in India
 Government – by the developing tourism sector of the countries, in the manner to attract
the tourist attention towards the country and encourage them to visit. Infrastructure
development related to airports, roads, schools, hospitals and retail areas have potential to
rise the government's economy by allowing more trade and better flow of goods as well
as services. Similarly, local community of the country would develop their nature and
behavior for the tourists while they visit there which would stabilize government and its
positioning in the world (Sofield, 2003).
 Local community –Tourism provides direct jobs to the local residents including tour
guides, housekeeping, waiters, bartender, etc. It has also indirect relation with the local
community as it provides employment through agriculture, food production, and retail
market. Tourist's expenditure generates income for the local residents which help in
alleviation of poverty in the countries which are heavily dependent on tourism sector
(Weaver, 2006). Standard of living among the local community also gets modified. Thus,
satisfied tourist generates better outcome for economy and social environment of the
country.
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 Tourist – Tourism development would rise benefits to the tourist through exploring new
places in the country. Tourist gets more help and benefits from local community,
government, etc. during their visit in the country.
1.2 The advantages and disadvantages of public-private partnerships in tourism planning and
development
The partnership and coordination between the private/ public sectors is very important
for the successful execution of any tour/tourist activity. Although, there are advantages and
disadvantages of PPPs in tourism planning and development which are as follows:
 Advantages :
 Reduces Cost: Due to financial support of private sector in the construction of
infrastructure projects, operating and maintaining services in the tourism area etc.
ability of government to control the cost economy for tourist areas (Sangeetha, 2012).
For example: reducing prices of air tickets, providing faster transportation, etc.
 Risk Sharing: Cost and risk sharing with the private sector support government in the
risky situation like raising funds, developing cities, recession period, etc.
 Improve the earnings: PPPs sets user rate that reflects the actual cost for providing or
using a service. Hence, it generates more earnings &profits for private and public
sectors like providing service to guest in hotels, restaurant, etc.
 Disadvantages :
 Implementing unnecessary rules and regulations: it creates trouble for the visitors to
maintain the unnecessary norms implied over them by the government during their
visit/ tour.
 Greater spending: while establishing price policies for the tourists, not all
governments rely on the “true” service providing costs and overcharge for the service
provided. There is a variance in the actual cost and charged cost to the tourist.
 Lack of competition: due to limited number of private partners, government suffers
from responsibility issues, quality issues, lack of creativity issues, etc. For eg:
Tourists are being bored from the same services that are provided while visiting in
India.
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TASK 2
2.1 Steps of tourism development planning process and analyzing its features at different levels
 Main steps of planning process of tourism development are as follows :
1. Evaluating the tourist demand and supply.
2. Establishing the objectives to be achieved.
3. Regional (Culture assets) wise planning by covering every part of tourism sector.
4. Building a basic infrastructure of the plan.
5. Financial planning through assessing the cost of overall planning.
6. Analyzing Human resource requirement to manage tourist services.
7. Setting up the administrative structure for monitoring the aspects and processes.
8. Marketing the processes and promoting the plan.
9. Implementing and monitoring the plan till its objectives are achieved.
10. Maintaining the Time factor or duration in which goals are accomplished.
 Analyzing the planning features at different levels:
 International Level: promoting international level transportation services provided to
the tourist would enrich the country's stand in the international market (Pineda and
Brebbia, 2012).
 National Level: Should attract tourist by state wise programs and campaigns.
 Regional Level: Promote cultural, social and environmental regions on regional level
to draw the interest of the tourist
2.2 Significance of interactive planning systems and processes in tourism development in India
Interactive planning is based on the belief that a country's future depends at least as much
on what it does in present and future. The country will then create its future by continuously
closing the gap between its current situation and its desirable situation. Better outcomes can be
availed by means of a participate process, even though it is far more difficult (Cortez, 2010).
This shift does not conclude that researches by the professional planners are abandoned.
Importance of interactive planning process is :
to make the services addressable and accessible, at a proposed value, an economical system for
distribution is to be ensured.
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It Communicate the available tourism services to the potential tourists. By reminding them about
the tourism services in manner of promotional activities and advertisements (Jung, Ineson
and Miller, 2014).
It helps in developing and designing the efficient services for particular market segment to
achieve the desired goals.
By researching the Market structure efficient market segmentation would be facilitated. It is
helpful in managing sub-groups and groups.
The needs of tourist during their visit are acquired through market research development system.
2.3 Methods of measuring tourist impacts
The objective of planning process is to assess whether desired targets have been achieved
or not, which can be measured through analyzing the financial, social and environmental factors
during the tour of the tourist in the country:
 Environmental measures: in the manner to dispose of natural expenses, numerous
countries have included in their enactment Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for
all activities, which include the tourism sector that predict the environmental outcomes of
a planned advance activities, and to assure that potential risks are predicted and
fundamental standards to avoid, moderate or balance the natural damages recognized
(Sofield, 2003). It basically examines:
◦ Environmental issues and clashes that influence projects and its practices
◦ Limitations for natural assets
 Social Measures: the social effects of the tourism sector are the most difficult to measure
and evaluate, on the basis that they are regularly very qualitative and subjective in nature
(Fazenda and Costa, 2010). For estimating the social impact of tourist, the following key-
systems can be used :
◦ Primary research through reviews or meetings including attitudinal overviews, the
Delphi system and member views.
◦ Secondary research through auxiliary sources found in government records, open
reports and daily newspapers.
 Economic measures: there are four sorts of tourism Multipliers application for measuring
the impacts of tourist over economic area. That are:
◦ Sales through exchanging the currency
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◦ Results of that exchanged money via spending of the tourists
◦ Earnings through the spending's of the tourists
◦ Work being done on behave of the spending
TASK 3
3.1 Introduction to the concept of sustainability in tourism development
In the modern era, environmental issues caused by rigors human activities are hindering
the growth and development of the society. The principle of sustainable development is helping
to overcome this hazard. The concept deals with meeting the needs and requirements of present
without compromising necessity of the future generations own wants. It makes optimum
utilization of resources that in return provide cost-benefit. Three pillars of sustainability are-
environmental, economic and social which completes the concept.
Sustainable tourism development is one of the branch of sustainable development. It can
be expressed as the full account of country's current and future economic, social and
environmental tourism needs. Those wants and needs addressed by the visitors, tourism industry,
the environment and host communities of the country (Page and et.al., 2008). It can better
interpreted by observing and elucidating various aspects of the topic in context of a chosen
tourism destination or country.
In India, tourism is the fastest growing industry providing a major source of income and
revenue along with huge amount of employment opportunities. However, issues like social
dislocation, ecological degradation, loss of cultural heritage and many more generates obstacles
in the path of prosperity of tourism department. Though sustainable tourism principle is
becoming popular and effective to cope up with these situations. Enactment of ‘cultural tourism',
'eco-tourism' and 'nature-based tourism' in the country seeks to acquire huge gains in future
context (Kaul And Gupta, 2009).
3.2 Factors hindering sustainable tourism development in the country
There are many factors hindering sustainable tourism development in the Indian economy
and culture, which can be observed as follows: Safety and security: Terrorism and natural calamities or hazards are the main threat
determined in development of sustainable tourism of India. This factor brings distrust,
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fear and suspicion in the minds of tourists who are eager to visit India for its natural and
cultural heritage. Maintenance and renovation: There is lack of initiatives taken for maintenance and
renovation of buildings, monuments, palaces or sea sides in the country. The heritage is
ruining its beauty and attraction in lack of proper maintenance and development
programs. Infrastructural Facilities: Accommodation, transportation, communication, IT and
financial services are basic factors of India's infrastructural amenities. Though, in
comparison with Western and European countries its development process of these
facilities is low in India which diverts the attraction of tourists to developed countries
(Butts and. Singh, 2010). Corruption: It is well known that corruption is the major hurdle during implementation
of policies and schemes framed for sustainable tourism development for the country. Due
to it the projects are not performed effectively at local grounds. The mechanism is slower
down again and again by interference of bureaucrats.
 Pollution: Taj Mahal of India is among the Seven Wonders of the World. But air
pollution around this astonishing monument has turned its white marble, black in color.
This example is enough to understand the negative impact of such environmental issues
like pollution, global warming over the sustainable development of tourism in the
country.
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3.3 Different stages of planning in tourism sustainability
The stages involved in the development of tourism sustainability can be understood by
taking an example of a tourist destination in India. Uttarakhand or Uttranchal State of india is
famous for its cultural and adventurous travel and tourism. In the year 2000, it became 27th state
of Republic of India surrounded by the Himalayan range all around (Dávid, 2011). The state
went through various stages of sustainable development cycle to become the present day favorite
tourist destination, which are as follows: Exploration: At first Uttrakhand was relatively unknown place for visitors. As initially,
few people were aware of it and those who knew were restricted by factors like lack of
access, facilities and knowledge. Development: With the development of various infrastructural and communication
amenities more tourists started to arrive in the state to discover its attractions. Nainital,
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Illustration 1: Different stages of planning in tourism sustainability
(Source: Dávid, 2011)

Dehradun, Haridwar and Mussorrie were the famous tourist destinations to enjoy these
hill stations with their scenic beauty and religious importance. Consolidation: The next stage after development is the successful image of the place as
prominent tourist destination. Now, the state offered various tourist spots presenting its
vibrant flora and fauna such as Jim Corbett national Park for tiger safaris or botanical
gardens of Ranikhet. Stagnation: Then came the phrase of stagnation or stage of maturity. Here at this stage
increased congestion and unsustainable development caused less optimum use of
resources and increased corruption in the activities. The appeal of Uttrakhand in the
minds of travel lovers disappeared and degraded.
 Rejuvenation: Later on the government active participation helped to perform various
research, maintenance and rejuvenation programs. Adventurous water sports, trekking
camps and establishment of yoga centers were the key initiative which brought back its
attraction (Bristow, Yang and Lu, 2011).
TASK 4
4.1 Evaluating methods to resolve the conflicts of interests in developing tourism destination
Uttrakhand is a prosperous tourist spot with a wide range of opportunities to explore its
flora and fauna. It has many pilgrimage sites on one hand while lakes, fisheries, glaciers and
other scenic beauty on the other hand. Wildlife scanties and extreme water sports are other
features. With all these merits the state also poses demerit i.e, conflicts arising among the local
communities and the state government. The authorities and the governing bodies sometimes face
extreme revolution and opposition from its residences (Harris, Williams and Griffin, 2012). New
technological changes or advancements are accepted after a long conflict of thoughts and actions
between the two. Establishment of new structures, buildings and infrastructural necessities raises
aggression among the domestic farmers and small entrepreneur. The feeling of insecurity and
reduction of low level income sources complies them to get involved in illegal activities
ultimately working against the government.
Though the government takes ethical and secure measures to sought out these matters
peacefully. It provides them monetary benefits or compensation measures in form of
employment, housing and water facilities. The mutual understanding between the government
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and the local communities is very essential for the betterment of the destination (Sustainable
tourism: the way forward, 2009).
4.2 Analysis the implications of balancing supply and demand in tourism
As it is well understood for market equilibrium the demand of goods and services should
be fulfilled proportionately with the supply of commodities and services. The tourism sector has
also follows the principle of equilibrium between the demand of tourists and supply of services
provided by the government and local authorities and communities of Uttrakhand. When there is
increase in the flow of tourists rises there is need for supply of many services. If the demand is
excess and the supply lacks it presents negative impact on the mindsets of tourists. This causes
decrease in the tourists visits ultimately decrease in revenue generation and more unemployed
population (Okech, 2011). On the contrary, if the supply of amenities is in equal proportion of
the demand it gives a positive impact on Uttrakhand's economy.
When the flow of tourists increases in Uttranchal rise in the demand of following services
– comfortable and economical accommodation facilities, better road connectivity, skilled tourists
to guide them through various important places, maintenance of cleanliness and proper waste
management. Considering all these demands the governing bodies and the localities build hotels,
rest house for better accommodation. The local governing bodies develop convenient and strong
transport, communication and financial support system. The educational institutions provide
training and knowledge to the certificated guides to provide proper and deep knowledge of the
place. In this manner equilibrium is established between the demand and supply of services
(Sánchez and Hurtado, 2010).
4.3 Evaluating moral and ethical issues of enclave tourism
The concept of enclave tourism can be expressed as the tourist activities planned and
concentrated in a small geographic area. It helps to allow the tourists to experience their travel
intervention without traveling far out into remote or crowded places. One of the best example of
it is cruise ships where the vacation packages are economical and comfortable to have a
luxurious ride. This type of tourism is highly concentrated form of tourism development. As
huge investment are made for confined projects. Employment generation is its effective
advantage. Also, it limits environmental damage, cultural erosion and political influence.
Generally, this type of tourism is constitute the local infrastructure is not up to the mark.
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Presence of small number of entrepreneurs led to the development of enclave tourism.
Sometimes the external funding from foreign investors provide encouragement to this branch of
tourism (Croy, 2011).
Enclave tourism is appreciable step in the field of tourism still it has some drawbacks
which hinder the growth and development of the tourist destination. It increases economic
dependency on the foreign investors and leaving the local traders and entrepreneurs at loss. The
tourists are not able to experience the real aspects of the region leaving them with inaccurate
information and knowledge. Lastly, the employment opportunities are reduced to specific
seasons in a year.
TASK 5
5.1 Current Issues of tourism in India and Nepal
Some of the major issues in tourism sector in India are:
 Undesirable social and cultural change like in Goa, rise in use of drugs,
prostitution and human trafficking (Byrd, 2007).
 Increase tension and hostility among tourists and local communities.
 Creating a sense of antipathy towards tourist and the government.
 Rising forms of Pollution.
 Depletion in Natural resources.
Issues in tourism sector at Nepal are:
 Adverse effects on environment and ecology by increased transport and
construction activities.
 Destruction and alteration of ecosystem of the natural habitat like the changes
natural surroundings of the Tibet region (Jung, Ineson and Miller, 2014).
 Country facing Financial Crisis.
 Undeveloped market and transportation system.
5.2 The future development of tourism in India and Nepal
By focusing on the above report of issues, in order to develop and maintain the tourism
sector in both the countries, some of the measures should be implemented:
 Countries should create better public facilities and effective road transport.
 Implementation of cleanliness in the countries.
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 Establishment of more hotels in the region that meets regular international tourists
(Rattan, 2015).
 Controlling the activities which gave rise to pollution.
 Generating more tourist satisfaction through providing appropriate services.
 Implementing those government policies which are supporting the tourists (Banerjee,
2013).
 Conserving the heritage property of the countries.
CONCLUSION
This assignment brings to the notice the significance of sustainable development in the
tourism sector. It determines the participation of stakeholders in the planning process along with
the participation of public and private sector in tourism planning of India. The assignment
analyzes and evaluate various methods used for tourism development planning at different
levels. It helps to understand the concept and need of sustainable tourism in India. There is a
clear evaluation of current issues related to tourism development planning with reference to
Uttrakhand. Lastly, it determines the socio-cultural, environmental impact of tourism in
developing countries and emerging destinations of India.
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REFERENCES
Books
Harris, R., Williams, P. and Griffin, T., 2012. Sustainable tourism. 2nd Ed. Routledge.
Page, S. and et.al., 2008. Sustainable Tourism, Volume 4. Routledge.
Pineda, D. F. and Brebbia, A. C., 2012. Sustainable Tourism V. WIT Press.
Sofield, B. H. T., 2003. Empowerment for Sustainable Tourism Development. Emerald Group
Publishing.
Weaver, D. B., 2006. Sustainable tourism: Theory and practice. Routledge.
Journals
Bristow, S. R., Yang, T. And Lu, T., 2011. Sustainable medical tourism in Costa Rica. Tourism
Review. 66(1/2). pp.107 – 117.
Butts, T. And. Singh, T., 2010. Sustainable tourism as a tool for conservation and protection of
the Amazon rainforest in Guyana? Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes. 2(2).
pp.173 – 185.
Byrd, T. E., 2007. Stakeholders in sustainable tourism development and their roles: applying
stakeholder theory to sustainable tourism development. Tourism Review. 62(2). pp.6 – 13.
Cortez, L. S., 2010. Strategies for the development of sustainable tourism in the Amazon
rainforest of Bolivia. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes. 2(2). pp.136 – 143.
Croy, G. W., 2011. Film tourism: sustained economic contributions to destinations. Worldwide
Hospitality and Tourism Themes. 3(2), pp.159 – 164.
Dávid, L., 2011. Tourism ecology: towards the responsible, sustainable tourism future.
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes. 3(3). pp.210 – 216.
Fazenda, N., Silva, F. N. And Costa, C., 2010. Douro Valley Tourism Plan: The plan as part of a
sustainable tourist destination development process. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism
Themes. 2 (4). pp.428 – 440.
Jung , H. T., Ineson, M. E. And Miller, A., 2014. The Slow Food Movement and sustainable
tourism development: a case study of Mold, Wales. International Journal of Culture,
Tourism and Hospitality Research. 8(4). pp.432 – 445.
Kaul, H. And. Gupta, S., 2009. Sustainable tourism in India. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism
Themes. 1(1). pp.12 – 18.
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Okech, N.R., 2011. Promoting sustainable festival events tourism: a case study of Lamu Kenya.
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes. 3(3). pp.193 – 202.
Rattan, K. J., 2015. Is certification the answer to creating a more sustainable volunteer tourism
sector? Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes. 7(2). pp.107 – 126.
Sánchez, I. C. and Hurtado, E. M., 2010. Policies for enhancing sustainability and
competitiveness in tourism in Colombia. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes.
2(2). pp.153 – 162.
Online
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sustainable-practices-that-india-must-make-mandatory/34465/1>. [Accessed on 2nd Feb
2016].
Sangeetha, R., 2012. Scope of Tourism: Indian Perspectives. [PDF]. Available through:
<http://www.ijirset.com/upload/december/19_Ambarish.pdf>. [Accessed on 2nd Feb 2016].
Sustainable tourism: the way forward. 2009. [PDF]. Available through:
<http://incredibleindia.org/magazines/PDF/Indiaandyou/Sustainable_Tourism_Haryana_
Bandipur_Karnataka_Uttarakhand_Nilgiris_Assam_Brahmaputra_Jungle_Resort_Kerala
_Sepember-India_you-October_2009.pdf>. [Accessed on 1st Feb 2016].
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