Tourism Stakeholders Conference on Sustainable Tourism through Joint Action:
The draft plan of action for sustainable tourism development should be premised on the responsibility of governments and all stakeholders in the tourism sector to ensure that long-term prosperity and the quality of life of future generations are not placed at risk. In order to sustain tourism, it is necessary to address various issues arising from tourism's contribution to development by means of a comprehensive, systematic plan of action.
In order to meet the requirements for sustainable tourism development, governments need to give direct attention and make explicit policies and plans in a number of areas. Issues of policy-making, planning, management and the participation of the private sector must be addressed in terms of opportunities for action and possible constraints.
The industry is called on to consider its stance on sustainability, set ambitious targets and work as one to meet the environmental, economic and social challenges ahead.
Strong emphasis should be placed on the need for regional and sub regional cooperation in order to share experience, expertise and facilities.
To meet the various requirements for sustainable tourism development, a number of issues need to be addressed and specific actions need to be taken at the national and regional levels. Attention also needs to be given to the various modalities for implementation of those actions. Attention also needs to be given to the development of strategies for the implementation of the action plan within a specified time-frame and the mobilization of resources.
Deterioration of destinations due to inadequate infrastructure planning, education and awareness
1. The need for a bottom up planning in order to bridge the gap between the needs and aspirations of the state ministries vis-à-vis plans and schemes developed by the center.
2. Change of focus from only hardware to include software which will provide long-term and lasting benefits.
3. Need for a holistic tourism plan for the north-east region.
4. The need for more green field airports was highlighted and the need to sync it with the overall North Eastern Plan and the national plan.
5. Need for better coordination of the infrastructure development projects. Planning is not done in coordination with all stakeholders, thus rendering these projects of little use and benefit to the overall tourism industry in general and off further value addition to the destination concerned.
6. A small portion of the resources allocated for infrastructure development can be diverted towards components like upkeep of health and hygiene of the destination concerned, this will go a long way in sustaining the destination attraction.
7. Responsibility of management and upkeep of heritage and other destinations when shifted towards associations should be supported with adequate financial support to carry out these responsibilities
8. Recognized tourism associations should be allotted some funds to carry out measures towards maintenance and development of tourism destinations.
9. There should be no development for at least a km within a highway. Buildings on both sides of highway must provide parking within and entry and exit on both sides and not on the highway. Indiscriminate construction defeats the purpose of the infrastructure.
10. Subject of hygiene awareness to be included in the school curriculum. This should include hygiene, energy conservation, water conservation, discipline, first aid, disaster preparedness, etc. compulsory in all schools along with compulsory half-day social service, such as clean a monument every week.
Impediments to tourism as a vehicle for greater income and employment generation
1. Importance of the tourism satellite accounting system and how the system has been helpful in assessing the contribution the tourism industry to the overall economy and the region.
2. Importance of creating long-lasting signages.
3. The tourism industry also has vital linkages with other sectors like agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts etc.
4. Creation of skilled and trained human resources at various levels of operations
1. Urgent need for rationalization of taxes for the sector--the Indian tourism industry is most highly taxed making the tourism experience in India more expensive, when compared with other South East Asian countries. 40 % of the price of India domestic air ticket is towards airline turbine fuel taxation, these and other taxation issues needs to be addressed to make tourism experience in India more competitive economically.
5. Visa on arrival—a welcome step—should be expanded to include more countries
6. Strong need for the large number of trade associations to group under an umbrella for more concerted efforts
7. Taxation was pointed out as one of the biggest impediment for the growth of aviation sector In India, it was pointed out that from 1 Aug 2012 there has been an increase from 13 % to 31.5 % but this increase has resulted in no value addition. The Increase of taxes to the tune of 334 % in Delhi was also pointed out making it increasingly difficult for the aviation industry to offer competitive prices.
8. Need for today is more green field and no frills airports, it was pointed out that there are 32 airports in India where airlines wants to operate but the lack of basic infrastructure does not support operations.
9. Due to protectionist policies by the state and regional bodies it becomes difficult for operators from other regions to offer services
10. Tourist visa- three month restriction, this has hampered the tourism industry very significantly and stressed the need to address the same
11. Local taxes levied at different places, disturb the visitors and their overall tourism experience in the state The states have to be convinced to remove these impediments for their own benefit.
Environment Issues and Concerns –green Tourism, Natural and Built Heritage
As the domestic tourism gains strength it becomes increasing important for the tourism stakeholders, industry associations and the government to give a shape and direction to the growth of tourism, so that its development is more sustainable and responsible.
1- A bottom up approach where the bottom line is people must be adopted for planning tourism based activities both at the center and the state.
2- Chances of a systematic change overnight is a distant reality, however to industry players and associates that are directly affected should start immediate and corrective measures to improve the situation for their own benefit.
3- Efforts however small are being taken up by industry players like Mac Donald, Starbuck, Casino Group, etc. in order to insure that a large section of the industry players adhere to the rules a mechanism for incentivization and also penalization should be placed.
4- Only 8000 destinations are state owned, many other such destinations can be explored and developed.
5- There is an urgent need to document the heritage destinations of India especially the lesser known ones.
6- Need for inter-ministerial coordination
7- Need to include carrying capacity into consideration if we want to have sustainable tourism development
8- Need for alternative models like auctioning-leasing or others to conserve heritage buildings. The need to regulate construction hotels on the river banks of Ganga especially in the ecologically fragile areas should be checked.
9- Need for putting up voluntary and compulsory guidelines for the industry also the implementation of the same.
10- There is now law governing the construction of buildings in the villages. The Rural Art Commission should be established to advice building development and other such measures.
The draft plan of action for sustainable tourism development should be premised on the responsibility of governments and all stakeholders in the tourism sector to ensure that long-term prosperity and the quality of life of future generations are not placed at risk. In order to sustain tourism, it is necessary to address various issues arising from tourism's contribution to development by means of a comprehensive, systematic plan of action.
In order to meet the requirements for sustainable tourism development, governments need to give direct attention and make explicit policies and plans in a number of areas. Issues of policy-making, planning, management and the participation of the private sector must be addressed in terms of opportunities for action and possible constraints.
The industry is called on to consider its stance on sustainability, set ambitious targets and work as one to meet the environmental, economic and social challenges ahead.
Strong emphasis should be placed on the need for regional and sub regional cooperation in order to share experience, expertise and facilities.
To meet the various requirements for sustainable tourism development, a number of issues need to be addressed and specific actions need to be taken at the national and regional levels. Attention also needs to be given to the various modalities for implementation of those actions. Attention also needs to be given to the development of strategies for the implementation of the action plan within a specified time-frame and the mobilization of resources.
Deterioration of destinations due to inadequate infrastructure planning, education and awareness
1. The need for a bottom up planning in order to bridge the gap between the needs and aspirations of the state ministries vis-à-vis plans and schemes developed by the center.
2. Change of focus from only hardware to include software which will provide long-term and lasting benefits.
3. Need for a holistic tourism plan for the north-east region.
4. The need for more green field airports was highlighted and the need to sync it with the overall North Eastern Plan and the national plan.
5. Need for better coordination of the infrastructure development projects. Planning is not done in coordination with all stakeholders, thus rendering these projects of little use and benefit to the overall tourism industry in general and off further value addition to the destination concerned.
6. A small portion of the resources allocated for infrastructure development can be diverted towards components like upkeep of health and hygiene of the destination concerned, this will go a long way in sustaining the destination attraction.
7. Responsibility of management and upkeep of heritage and other destinations when shifted towards associations should be supported with adequate financial support to carry out these responsibilities
8. Recognized tourism associations should be allotted some funds to carry out measures towards maintenance and development of tourism destinations.
9. There should be no development for at least a km within a highway. Buildings on both sides of highway must provide parking within and entry and exit on both sides and not on the highway. Indiscriminate construction defeats the purpose of the infrastructure.
10. Subject of hygiene awareness to be included in the school curriculum. This should include hygiene, energy conservation, water conservation, discipline, first aid, disaster preparedness, etc. compulsory in all schools along with compulsory half-day social service, such as clean a monument every week.
Impediments to tourism as a vehicle for greater income and employment generation
1. Importance of the tourism satellite accounting system and how the system has been helpful in assessing the contribution the tourism industry to the overall economy and the region.
2. Importance of creating long-lasting signages.
3. The tourism industry also has vital linkages with other sectors like agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts etc.
4. Creation of skilled and trained human resources at various levels of operations
1. Urgent need for rationalization of taxes for the sector--the Indian tourism industry is most highly taxed making the tourism experience in India more expensive, when compared with other South East Asian countries. 40 % of the price of India domestic air ticket is towards airline turbine fuel taxation, these and other taxation issues needs to be addressed to make tourism experience in India more competitive economically.
5. Visa on arrival—a welcome step—should be expanded to include more countries
6. Strong need for the large number of trade associations to group under an umbrella for more concerted efforts
7. Taxation was pointed out as one of the biggest impediment for the growth of aviation sector In India, it was pointed out that from 1 Aug 2012 there has been an increase from 13 % to 31.5 % but this increase has resulted in no value addition. The Increase of taxes to the tune of 334 % in Delhi was also pointed out making it increasingly difficult for the aviation industry to offer competitive prices.
8. Need for today is more green field and no frills airports, it was pointed out that there are 32 airports in India where airlines wants to operate but the lack of basic infrastructure does not support operations.
9. Due to protectionist policies by the state and regional bodies it becomes difficult for operators from other regions to offer services
10. Tourist visa- three month restriction, this has hampered the tourism industry very significantly and stressed the need to address the same
11. Local taxes levied at different places, disturb the visitors and their overall tourism experience in the state The states have to be convinced to remove these impediments for their own benefit.
Environment Issues and Concerns –green Tourism, Natural and Built Heritage
As the domestic tourism gains strength it becomes increasing important for the tourism stakeholders, industry associations and the government to give a shape and direction to the growth of tourism, so that its development is more sustainable and responsible.
1- A bottom up approach where the bottom line is people must be adopted for planning tourism based activities both at the center and the state.
2- Chances of a systematic change overnight is a distant reality, however to industry players and associates that are directly affected should start immediate and corrective measures to improve the situation for their own benefit.
3- Efforts however small are being taken up by industry players like Mac Donald, Starbuck, Casino Group, etc. in order to insure that a large section of the industry players adhere to the rules a mechanism for incentivization and also penalization should be placed.
4- Only 8000 destinations are state owned, many other such destinations can be explored and developed.
5- There is an urgent need to document the heritage destinations of India especially the lesser known ones.
6- Need for inter-ministerial coordination
7- Need to include carrying capacity into consideration if we want to have sustainable tourism development
8- Need for alternative models like auctioning-leasing or others to conserve heritage buildings. The need to regulate construction hotels on the river banks of Ganga especially in the ecologically fragile areas should be checked.
9- Need for putting up voluntary and compulsory guidelines for the industry also the implementation of the same.
10- There is now law governing the construction of buildings in the villages. The Rural Art Commission should be established to advice building development and other such measures.
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