by Muazzam Khursheed

With the world continuing to battle climate change which poses an existential threat to mankind, several initiatives have emerged, such as the Montreal Protocol. The recent CoP 27 at Sharm El Sheikh saw the historic establishment of  a Loss and Damage Fund for the developing nations to combat climate change. Tourism remains an untapped sector which can have a positive influence on climate change. 

A recent report by the digital p-a Inc. and the professional services firm EY titled “Charting the Course for India – Tourism Megatrends Unpacked” stated that India’s tourism industry is on track to reach $1 trillion by 2047. This potential can be channelized towards creating an ecosystem for sustainable tourism in the form of home stays, no construction zones among many other initiatives at hand. 

Taking a global view, Sustainable tourism is an industry with a global market value of US$242.54 billion, and it is expected to expand to US$369.54 billion by 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2 percent, according to a research analysis issued by Research Analysis and Insights, a source of global market data.

An approach to travel known as sustainable tourism, often referred to as responsible tourism or ecotourism, takes the economic, social, and environmental effects of tourism into account. 

Preserving Culture

A nation’s cultural history, which dates back thousands of years, is a veritable treasure mine of traditions, art, and architecture. Preservation and promotion of these cultural riches are given top priority in sustainable tourism. Visitors may interact with local communities, learn about their customs, and help preserve the culture.

Community Empowerment 

One of the critical goals of sustainable tourism is economic opportunity creation and community empowerment. Initiatives for community-based tourism as mentioned above  provide visitors with the chance to observe rural life as it truly is and to actively support the local economy. Sustainable tourism promotes community development and generates a sense of pride and ownership over natural resources and cultural heritage by helping local farmers, craftspeople, and business owners.

Socio-Economic Development

The key element in the ambit of sustainable tourism, especially in rural and underprivileged regions, is accelerated socioeconomic development. As stated earlier with community empowerment, the local populations would gain from tourist earnings, generating job opportunities and enhancing the standard of living. All of this has a direct impact on the reliance on traditional sources of income with a minimizing influence. 

Policy

Governments have created laws which support responsible tourism in order to achieve the goal of sustainable tourism. Further efforts. however, are required to support the environment friendly infrastructure in terms of eco-friendly home stays and enlarging the no construction zones in delicate areas, amongst many other initiatives.   

Bhutan, a small country on the North east side of India is acting as a torchbearer for the sustainable tourism industry. The country emits 2.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, and the vast forests that cover nearly three-quarters of the country absorb more than four million tons. The country’s constitution mandates that forest cover be maintained at no less than 60 per cent. The nation with a population of nearly 8 lakh citizens harbours one of the 10 most biodiverse regions in the world. (reported The Bhutan Live) It had adopted sustainable tourism when most other nations were even barely considering it with numerous initiatives such as the Haa Summer Festival which is a colourful festival featuring religious performances, regional cuisine and even the local alcoholic beverage Ara amongst other attractions. The festival sheds light on the customs and way of life of Bhutan’s nomadic herders with tourists spending time with the locals and eventually practicing tourism in a sustainable manner.

India, for instance, is a perfect location for sustainable tourism. Because of its various landscapes, tremendous natural beauty, rich cultural history, historical monuments, and thriving customs, there is a lot of promise for responsible tourism in the country. The valley of Kashmir which is known for its pristine beauty and as a hub of tourism has also begun to show signs of degradation further strengthening the sustainability argument. The two main lakes in the area Wular and Dal are diminishing, according to satellite imagery issued by the American space agency NASA. The two world famous lakes have been playing a significant role in controlling the flow of water from the Himalayan glaciers down the Jhelum River, which serves as a major water supply for drinking and irrigation in the region for centuries.

Recently, authorities in Dal lake blamed a rapid change in the area’s temperature for the , something which officials stated is an annual occurrence but sparked tensions amongst the Dal dwellers. Such instances have augmented the debate around rapid urbanization along with high tourism flow with the environment crises affecting the region and eventually solidifying the base for sustainable tourism.

With India presiding over the G20 for this year, and hosting more than 200 meetings in more than 59 locations, one of the key focus areas has been Sustainable Tourism with recent meetings around the topic in Srinagar. 

Sustainable tourism has grown to become a turning point for protecting the rich cultural heritage and natural habitats around us. By adopting responsible practices, the world can ensure that tourism which supports local populations, protects cultural heritage, and sustains different ecosystems thrives. By supporting and taking part in sustainable tourism initiatives, we have a responsibility to promote cultural sensitivity, lessen our influence on the environment, and leave a legacy for the coming generations.

The author is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration and has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. The views expressed are personal.

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