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| Travel news in January |
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 | Incredible India wants ''responsible'' tourists |
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After ecotourism and rural tourism another touristy phenomenon has been brought to life. Especially India who is advertising with the slogan “Incredible India” has taken over the lead to create more awareness and responsibility among tourists and locals likewise. Responsible tourism means that tourists are advised to check pollution, their water, electricity and food usage. Tourists who do not take these measures seriously have to reckon with paying a penalty. Responsible tourism has been practised in various regions of India and not only self-help groups but also the state government has become proactive to promote this new form of tourism. “Kerala [for instance] hosted the Second International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations in March 2008 with the adoption of the Kerala Declaration that put forth a call for action to all the stakeholders in tourism”.
Like ecotourism and rural tourism, responsible tourism wants to make sure that the essence of the region is going to be sustained. Volunteers from surrounding villages have built groups to check poaching and also act as tourist guides. This does not only follow one aim, but participating in the region’s issues have brought the local community out of their isolation and made them value their environment and their culture. But even though a high percentage of the tourism industry in India also contributes and supports the idea of responsible tourism, there is a lot of work to do since the concept needs about 7 years to be taken over by future generations.
Sources: economictimes.indiatimes.com, www.msnbc.msn.com
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