Responsible Tourism

Responsible Tourism - Perception of Households in Tourist Destinations: An analysis

Dr. Biju S K

Assistant Professor,

PG & Research Department of Commerce

Government Arts College, Thiruvanathapuram 

Sabareeswaran A

Research Scholar

PG & Research Department of Commerce

Government Arts College, Thiruvanathapuram.

Abstract

Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which essentials the movement of peoples to another places like countries or any other places outside from their current environmental conditions for personal or business purpose. These peoples are commonly known as visitors. In the modern scenarioevery country treats tourism as a major source of income and also pave the way for economic development. Normally the tourism opens lot of opportunities for employment and business. Most of the peoples looking tourism destinations are the suitable place for their lively hood.

1.      Introduction

Tourism and travelling are the two integral part of our culture and tradition. It is considered as one sector that shall propel growth, contribute foreign exchange, enhance employability, make business and employment opportunities and also increase people’s standard of living. In India tourism treated as a separate industry. The government should encourage both private and public enterprises to promote tourism in less popular areas. Every states in India have equal importance in tourism, because of the wide variety of tourist destinations and own specialities in foods, products, traditions, cultures etc. those are the main reasons for the growth of domestic tourism.

           

Kerala is one of the major tourist destination in our country. Tourism can contribute a major portion for development of Kerala economy, they can attract both domestic and foreign peoples. Because of the natural beauty, education and literacy rates, Ayurveda treatments etc. In Kerala have different types of tourisms like beach tourism, back water tourism, Hill tourism, Adventure tourism etc. Kerala government takes certain initiatives for environmental protection and make sustainable development in tourism sectors. Now Ecotourism and Responsible tourism are the popular initiatives set up in tourism destinations. We all well about the tourism can develop our society and economy too. Along with this tourism have some negative impact on nature like population etc. Responsible tourism is introduced to avoid these problems.  Responsible tourism (RT) take action to make tourism more sustainable, all of them have a part of take the responsibility like hoteliers, government, operator’s local peoples and tourists also. Mainly three types of responsibility conceived by the Responsible tourism, which are termed as the “triple bottom line” social responsibility, economic responsibility and environmental responsibility. In Kerala the initiatives of responsible tourism was implemented at four major destinations including, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad. Now some other significant destinations newly included as an integral part of these initiative, the places are Kumbalangi in Ernakulam, Vaythari and Ambalavayal in Wayanad and Bekal in Kasargod(rtkerala.com, 2017). Now we discuss how the responsible tourism influence the Residence and discussing about the people’s perception towards of Responsibility Tourism.

2.      Statement of the Problem

As a socio economic phenomenon, tourism became the world’s largest and fastest growing industry within a short span of time. As a smokeless industry, countries embraced it with more enthusiasm. Along with creation of employment opportunities, it provides revenue to the government by way of taxes increased the affinity of government towards tourism. But from the negative side of tourism, the condition of our environment proves to be quite harmful. Tourism is in a conflict with environment.  It will increase air pollution and noise pollution and thus leads to environmental pollution.  It leads to the destruction of aesthetic value of nature through construction of tourist resorts, hotels etc. Sometimes, tourism can cause a greater risk of crime. After understanding and analysing the positive and negative impacts of tourism, Govt. of Kerala launched Responsible Tourism.

A quick scan of the performance of tourism in Kerala undoubtedly reveal that the state has launched and implemented several innovative projects and programmes that ultimately strengthen and support development of tourism. Through trial and error and learning by doing Kerala has developed several successful practices with stake holder’s participation in product development, marketing, skill and capacity building development and livelihood practices.  Today Kerala is gearing up to make tourism a movement by the people so that the host community can be benefited socially economically and environmentally while the tourists are benefited by quality products, enchanting and memorable experiences ensuring value for money. With this intention, Government of Kerala initiated responsible tourism in selected tourist destinations viz; Kovalam, Thekkady, Kumarakom, and Wayanad. Government is initiating the RT in other destinations also, but the outcome is yet to be assessed.  What are the efforts made in this regard? Whether the efforts achieved its objectives? Whether these efforts are backed by environmental protection and cultural supports? How do the stake holders perceive the benefits from these efforts?  Are some of the pertinent questions in this regard, hence this study was initiated.

3.      Objectives of the Study

Ø  To identify the activities initiated by local self-government in connection with Responsible Tourism.

Ø  To study the awareness level of activities related to Responsible Tourism

Ø  To analyse the socio, economic and environmental changes that have happened after implementing Responsible Tourism.

4.      Methodology

The study is based on empirical data collection from primary and secondary sources.The scope of the study is limited to Kumarakom. The efforts of various governments and agencies connection with tourism, its impact on environment and culture will be covered through the study. The same is analysed with the help of literature and opinion of the stake holders and descriptive in nature. Primary data were collected using pre – tested questionnaire from 100 respondents in kumarakom on convenient basis.

5.      Responsible Tourism: Perception of Households of Kumarakom: An analysis

                            This section is an attempt to analyse the perception of households of Kumarakom with regard to the responsible tourism initiatives. This chapter is divided into to two parts. The first parts deal with the personal profile of households, followed by the problems of tourism. This part includes the problems faced and the problems solved through responsible tourism. The second part deals with the participation of various stake holders in the initiatives of RT. The last part is a stock taking of the activities relating to environmental, and others with regard to RT.

Table 1: Personal information of respondents

Variables	Category	Frequency
Gender	Male	63
	Female	37
	Total	100
Education	School	55
	Graduate	34
	Post Graduate	2
	Illiterate	7
	Others	2
	Total	100
Activities	Student	11
	Government Employee	18
	Private Employee	18
	House Wife	7
	Others	46
	Total	100

Source: primary data

Table 1 shows that out of 100 residents surveyed, two third of the sample is male members like 63 percent males and 37 percent females. 55percenthave only school education, 34percent of respondents are graduate and 7percent of respondents are illiterate. As per their activity majority of 46percent are belongs to other category.18percent of residents are government employees and another 18percent of respondents are private employees and 11percent of respondents are students.

Table 2: Problems faced from Tourism

Problems	High	Neutral	Low	Total
Traffic congestion	56	4	40	100
Air pollution	89	5	6	100
Noise pollution	79	17	4	100
Water pollution	95	2	3	100
Soil pollution	88	6	6	100
Diseases	8	58	34	100
Risk of crime	8	58	34	100
Destruction of aesthetic value of  nature through constructions	4	23	73	100

Source: primary data

Table 2 shows, out of 100 respondent surveyed, 56 percent of respondents replied that traffic congestion is high in kumarakom. 40 percent replied that traffic congestion is very low and it is not a problem faced from tourism. 89 percent of respondents replied that Air pollution is very high in kumarakom and it is the major problem faced from tourism. Majority respondents 79 percent of respondents replied that Noise pollution is high in kumarakom. Out of 100 respondent surveyed, 95 percent of respondents replied that Water pollution is very high in kumarakom and it is one of the major problem faced from tourism. 88 percent peoples are agreed soil pollution is another major problem due to tourism and less than 10 percent peoples are quoted they faces problems from diseases, risk of crime and Destruction of aesthetic value of  nature through constructions. As per the study air, water, soil and noise pollutions are the major problems faced by the residence due to tourism.

Table 3: Problems from Tourism solved by Responsible Tourism 

Problems	High	Neutral	Low	Total
Traffic congestion	12	22	66	100
Air pollution	11	8	81	100
Noise pollution	12	18	70	100
Water pollution	6	3	91	100
Soil pollution	8	11	81	100
Diseases	14	81	5	100
Risk of crime	29	67	4	100
Destruction of aesthetic value of  nature through constructions	10	75	15	100

Source: primary data

Table 3 describes, 6percentreplied that traffic congestion is highly decreased after implementing responsible tourism. Another 6percentreplied that traffic congestion is decreased due to responsible tourism.22percent replied that no change has been made due to responsible tourism. A majority of 62percent says traffic congestion is increased and rest 4percent says traffic congestion is highly increased, no responsible tourism decreased traffic congestion. Only 3percentreplied that Air pollution is highly decreased after implementing responsible tourism. 8percentreplied that it is decreased due to responsible tourism. Another 8percent replied that no change has been made due to responsible tourism. A majority of 52percent says air pollution is increased and rest 26percent says air pollution is highly increased, no responsible tourism decreased it. Only 3percentreplied that Noise pollution is highly decreased after implementing responsible tourism. 9percentreplied that it is decreased due to responsible tourism. 18percent replied that no change has been made due to responsible tourism. A majority of 47percent says Noise pollution is increased and rest 23percent says noise pollution is highly increased, no responsible tourism decreased it. Only 1percentreplied that water pollution is highly decreased after implementing responsible tourism. 5percentreplied that it is decreased due to responsible tourism. 3percent replied that no change has been made due to responsible tourism. 17percent says water pollution is increased and a majority of 74percent says noise pollution is highly increased, no responsible tourism decreased it.  Only 8percentreplied that soil pollution is highly decreased after implementing responsible tourism. 11percent replied that no change has been made due to responsible tourism. 40percent says soil pollution is increased and a majority of 41percent says soil pollution is highly increased, no responsible tourism decreased it. Only 2percentreplied that diseases are highly decreased after implementing responsible tourism. 12percentreplied that it is decreased due to responsible tourism. A majority of 81percent replied that no change has been made due to responsible tourism. 3percent says diseases are increased and another 2percent says diseases are highly increased, no responsible tourism decreased it. Out of 100 respondents surveyed, 12percentreplied that risk of crime is highly decreased after implementing responsible tourism. 17percentreplied that it is decreased due to responsible tourism. A majority of 67percent replied that no change has been made due to responsible tourism. Only 1percent says risk of crime is increased and 3percent says risk of crime is highly increased, no responsible tourism decreased it. Out of 100 respondents surveyed, 3percentreplied that destruction of aesthetic value is highly decreased after implementing responsible tourism. 7percentreplied that it is decreased due to responsible tourism. A majority of 75percent replied that no change has been made due to responsible tourism. 14percent says destruction of aesthetic value is increased and only1percent says destruction of aesthetic value is highly increased, no responsible tourism decreased it.   

Table 4 Participation of residents in Responsible Tourism Activities

Activities	Mean frequency	Rank
Cultivation	33.6	1
Handicraft	13.6	5
Painting	15.2	4
Ecofriendly bags	16.7	3
Destination cleaning	21.8	2
Non-woven fabrics	10.6	6

Source: primary data

Table 4.8 describes out of 100 respondents surveyed, respondents say residents highly participate in cultivation and they give 1^st rank to cultivation. Destination cleaning is another popular environmental protection activity and the residents also participate in it, so they give 2^nd rank to it. Production of eco-friendly bags are another popular activity participated by residents in Kumarakom, so they give 3^rd rank to it. Participation of residents in painting is comparatively low, so the respondents give 4^th rank. Residents does not have a highest participation in Handicraft activities. So respondents give 5^th rank and the respondents give 6^th rank to production of non-woven fabrics, because residents have least participation in it.

Table 5: Activities improved through Responsible Tourism

Activities	High	Neutral	Low	Total
Training of residents	49	5	6	100
Conservation and popularization of local art and culture	52	29	19	100
Cultivation	91	5	4	100
Health management	81	12	7	100
Identification of new destination	35	28	37	100

Source: primary data

Table 4.9 shows, out of 100 respondent surveyed, 47percent of residents says training of residents because of responsible tourism is very high. 42percent replied that training of residents is high. 5percent of respondent neutrally responds and 4percent says training of residents because of responsible tourism is low in Kumarakom and rest 2percent replied it is very low. Out of 100 respondent surveyed, 10percent of residents says conservation and popularization of local art and culture because of responsible tourism is very high in Kumarakom. 42percent replied that conservation of art and culture is high. 29percent of respondent neutrally responds and 19percent says conservation of art and culture because of responsible tourism is low in kumarakom. Out of 100 respondent surveyed, 50percent of residents says cultivation because of responsible tourism is very high. 41percent replied that cultivation is high. 5percent of respondent neutrally responds and 4percent says cultivation because of responsible tourism is low in Kumarakom. Out of 100 respondent surveyed, 26percent of residents says health management by local body because of responsible tourism is very high. A wide majority of 55percent replied that health management is high.12percent of respondent neutrally responds and 5percent says health management because of responsible tourism is low in Kumarakom and rest 2percent replied it is very low. Out of 100 respondent surveyed, 14percent of residents says identification of new tourist destination in kumarakom because of responsible tourism is very high. 21percent replied that identification of new destination is high.28percent of respondent neutrally responds and 22percent says health identification of new destinationbecause of responsible tourism is low in kumarakom and rest 15percent replied it is very low.

6.      Conclusion

The entire discussion in this work has been made to understand the social, economic and environmental impact of Responsible tourism initiatives in Kumarakom grama panchayat. In order to understand these concepts, the researcher gave more emphasis on the views of residents.

 The study revealed that the Responsible tourism create more employment opportunities to residents also business opportunities is increased and Responsible tourism brings investment in local are for hotels and restaurants, all these create employment to residents through these standard of living of residents is increase. Women empowerment is one of the major benefit derived from the new and innovative tourism practices.

From this study it is clear that Responsible tourism can be replicated in various tourist spots in India and can reduce the intensity of the dis integration of various tourist spots. The level of satisfaction of the respondents as regards the responsible tourism initiatives is above average. The conclusion is that the Responsible tourism initiatives in Kumarakom has produced significant output in terms of enhanced cultivation and community participation. The same is to be replicated in other tourism destinations too to achieve sustainability in tourism.  

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