TheCSRUniverse Roundtable Series: Industry Experts Discuss Innovative Strategies and Solutions for Sustainable Tourism
TheCSRUniverse Roundtable Series: Industry Experts Discuss Innovative Strategies and Solutions for Sustainable Tourism
New Delhi, March 04, 2024: Tourism is often seen as a way to drive economic development, but this has led to unsustainable and environmentally damaging development in many parts of our country. Moreover, the infrastructure is also inadequate to support its growth. Poor roads, transport, and water supply make it difficult for tourists to access green tourist destinations. Although the Government of India has increased its spending on green initiatives, there is still a lack of funding for green tourism projects. The challenges are many! Therefore, there has been a need to create awareness about green tourism and its importance.
Keeping this in mind, TheCSRUniverse held a roundtable discussion on “The Role Of Travel Industry In Supporting Green Tourism”. It aimed to bring forth the collective insights of tourism sector leaders to promote a constructive mechanism that can lead to the betterment of the environment.
Voices of expertise
The following esteemed panelists participated in the discussion:
- Mr. Tejas Singh Kapoor
Programme Officer- Centre for Environmental Law, WWF India
- Ms. Ishita Khanna
Founder & Director, Spiti Ecosphere
- Mr. Hira Lal
Joint Secretary, Himachal Pradesh Travel Agents Association (HPTAA), Manali
- Mr. Budhi Parkash Thakur
President and Owner, Sarthak Resorts and Hotels
Exploring diverse perspectives: Key aspects of the discussion
A number of aspects revolving around green tourism were discussed. Some of them were:
- Role of the travel industry in promoting green tourism
- How the travel industry can educate travelers on sustainable practices
- How the travel industry works with local communities to promote green tourism
- Challenges faced bythe travel industry in promoting green tourism
- Steps taken by the travel industryto encourage travelers to choose green tourism options
Along with these, the panelists also shared the location-centric challenges that they facewhile opting for sustainable practices.
For instance, Ishita from Spiti Ecosphere, a travel agency in Kaza, expressed her concern regarding responsible waste management. She shared that over-tourism is a major problem there and the area has not been able to keep up with the influx of tourists. This has led to a number of problems, including waste management.The increase in tourism has increased waste production and tourists often leave behind a lot of trash. She expressed how all this has become a serious problem for theenvironment.
Tejas from WWF India suggested an effective solution to help the environment of tourist places like Manali which are already overburdened by tourists. He said that determining tourist carrying capacity can help in promoting green tourism. Establishing limits on the number of tourists that can visit a specific destination or attraction may ensure that the environment and local communities are not overwhelmed by excessive tourism activities.
He added that setting a maximum number of tourists that can visit a particular area will prevent overcrowding and minimize the negative impact on the environment. This allows for the preservation of fragile ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and natural resources.
Hira Lal and Budhi Thakur from Himachal Pradesh jointly shared their disappointment with the government. They revealed that the concerned authorities don’t consider their complaints regarding any issue and thatthey just get buried under files. Basically, there is no timely intervention.
Lal also talked about the need to verify the content posted by social media influencers as in some cases, they have misled the public by presenting an incorrect picture of Himachal Pradesh. He demanded that there should be a government committee to take care of this aspect.
Building a greener future: A call to action for sustainable tourism
During our green tourism roundtable discussion, participants emphasized the importance of sustainable practices in the tourism industry. They highlighted the need for collaboration among stakeholders, including government bodies, tourism operators, and local communities, to promote eco-friendly initiatives. The discussion led to the conclusion that green tourism can contribute significantly to environmental conservation, economic growth, and the preservation of cultural heritage.By adopting sustainable practices such as promoting responsible tourism, the industry can positively impact the environment and enhance the overall tourist experience.
