1. Introduction Today, tourism is one of the largest and dynamically developing sectors of external economic activities.

Its high growth and development rates, considerable volumes of foreign currency inflows, infrastructure development, and introduction of new management and educational experience actively affect various sector of economy, which positively contribute to the social and economic development of the country as a whole. According to recent statistics, tourism provides about 10% of the worlds income and employs almost one tenth of the worlds workforce. All considered, tourisms actual and potential economic impact is astounding. Many people emphasize the positive aspects of tourism as a source of foreign exchange, a way to balance foreign trade, an industry without chimney. Tourism today, as a result of technological advancement and improvements in communications, has become one of the fastest growing industries today. Global tourism is expected to continue to expand because people are beginning to discover more and more new destinations, and the travel industry is becoming more and more organised. The undeveloped and developing countries promote tourism as a means of generating foreign exchange, increasing employment opportunities, attracting development capital and enhancing economic independence. It is often urged that existing forms of mass tourism development are unsustainable in terms of the negative impacts on the environment, the way in which it corrupts local cultures and the manner in which any potential economic benefits are frittered away. It is from this negative premise that the thought of sustainable tourism takes its position to redress the impact of tourism and establish forms of new tourism that are environmentally, economically and culturally sustainable. 2. Discuss the benefits of developing tourism in developing countries

3. What are the negative impacts of tourism and its causes

Tourism can increase tension, hostility, and suspicion. Claims of tourism as a vital force for peace are exaggerated, Indeed there is little evidence that tourism is drawing the world together (Robinson 1999). In this context economic and social impacts on the local community depend on how much of the incomes generated by tourists go to the host communities. In most all-inclusive package tours more than 80% of travellers fees go to the airlines, hotels and other international companies, not to local businessmen and workers. On the other hand large hotel chain restaurants often import food to satisfy

foreign visitors and rarely employ local staff for senior management positions, preventing local farmers and workers from reaping the benefit of their presence. On the other hand large hotel chain restaurants often import food to satisfy foreign visitors and rarely employ local staff for senior management positions, preventing local farmers and workers from reaping the benefit of their presence. Tourism has the power to affect cultural change. Successful development of a resource can lead to numerous negative impacts. Among these are overdevelopment, assimilation, conflict, and artificial reconstruction. While presenting a culture to tourists may help preserve the culture, it can also dilute or even destroy it. The point is to promote tourism in the region so that it would both give incomes and create respect for the local tradition and culture. Tourism often grows into mass-tourism. It leads to the over consumption, pollution, and lack of resources.

4. Strategic planning for tourism development

5. Case study Kerala India is the largest democratic republic in the world with immense possibilities of growth in the tourism sector with vast cultural and religious heritage, varied natural attractions but a comparatively small role in the world tourism scene. Kerala located at the southwestern tip of Indian sub-continent has already become one of the leading. tourist destinations in the country. The State has 38,863 sq.km of area with a population of 32.84 million as per 2001 census. The major cities in Kerala are Thiruvananthapuram (State capital), Kochi, Kozhikode, Kollam and Thrissur. The State has a tropical climate. The economy is mainly agro based with rubber, cashew and spices bringing in valuable foreign exchange. The marine industry is also one of the major components of Keralas economy. The trend in last few years shows that the tertiary sector is rapidly increasing in importance. It contributes almost 50% of the State income. The primary sector is also a significant player, with a contribution of about 30% towards the State income, though its importance is gradually diminishing.
6. Tourism in the Kerala

The unemployment in Kerala is around 4 million. In the context of the poor prospects of manufacturing sector and the severe threats being faced by the agricultural and traditional sectors, tourism is considered to be the best alternative for priority in the State development. Sustainable tourism development not only improves the States

income, brings in valuable foreign exchange and increases employment but also results in distribution of benefits across the State as opposed to most of the other sectors which tend to localise the economic and social benefits to a particular region. This is more so in Kerala where quality tourism assets are dispersed through out the State. Kerala stands unique in the matter of its rich tourism experience keeping the customs and traditions of the State in tact, at the same time receptive to new ideas and alien culture. The State has a long list of tourist attraction centres, ranging from Portuguese ports, Dutch Palaces, British bungalows, to churches, mosques and temples attracting all types of tourists and nationals. Sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Kerala is blessed with unmatched natural diversity that provides immense scope for tourism. Within her 38,863 sq.km, this virtual paradise holds almost all the tourist attractions of the world serene beaches, enchanting backwaters, mist clad hill stations, lush forests, exotic wildlife, exciting trekking trails, scintillating waterfalls, extensive plantations, tropical islands, invigorating monsoons, Ayurvedic health centres, historic monuments, sacred pilgrim centres, magical festivals, spectacular art forms, splendid cultural heritage, spectacular boat races, spicy cuisine . and everything else that enthralls a visitor. A physical quality of life comparable to developed nations and almost fully literate population in this beautiful land are important factors that helped transform Kerala into an important tourist destination In tourism sector Kerala reaches new heights every year. The tourism industry is a major contributor to the States economy. Tourisms contribution to states GDP is around 7.80 per cent. The number of foreign tourist arrived in the state in the year 200910 is 5, 57, 258. The number of domestic tourist to Kerala in the same year is 79, 13,537. Even though there is a slight decrease in the in the number of foreign tourist arrival to the state during the year mainly due to the impact of Global Economic Crisis, Kerala has contributed 10.91 per cent of the total foreign tourist arrival to India. However, there is an increase of 4.25 percent in domestic tourist arrival over the previous year. Dr. Georgee. K.I, Sini M.K (2011)

7. How is tourism planned and developed in Kerala _ sustainable development

and tourism

The Vision of Kerala Tourism is to make the State, the Gods Own Country, an upmarket high quality tourist destination through rational utilisation of resources with focus on integrated development of infrastructure sector conserving and preserving the heritage and environment and that enhance productivity, income, creating employment opportunities, alleviating poverty thereby making tourism the most important sector for the socio-economic development and environment protection of the State. For Effective implementation of Sustainable Tourism Development, the State had constituted a Tourism Conservation and Preservation Committee (The Kerala Tourism

(Conservation and Preservation of Areas) ACT, 2005). The committee is authorized to prepare a sustainable Tourism Development Plan including guidelines to regulate developmental activities in the Special Tourism Zone. Every Tourism Development Plan shall contain the following elements which are necessary for the integrated sustainable development of the area with major thrust on tourism development, namely:(i) policy in relation to the land use plan and allocation of land for tourism purposes; (ii) policy in relation to the built up area, environment including architectural control and form; (iii) strategies towards conserving and strengthening existing natural systems and enhancing the visual qualities of the region; and (iv) regulations, if any, found necessary for the implementation of the Tourism Development Plan. Recently Kerala has adopted Responsible Tourism Policy as their tourism policy. Kerala is the first state to implement this in India. To guide the development of a strategy and provide a framework for responsible tourism programme in the state, a State Level Responsible Tourism Committee (SLRTC) was formulated with three working committees in economic, social and environmental responsibility area. The following are the major objectives of SLRTC: To provide detailed policy and administrative guidance and direction to the implementation of Responsible Tourism programme in the state. To act as a platform for partners and stakeholders to consult together on matters of common concern in the field of Responsible Tourism. Review and evaluation of implementation of various act and rules concerning the implementation of Responsible Tourism.

The Government also constituted a Destination Level Responsible Tourism Committee (DLRTC). Both SLRTC and DLRTC have diverse representation at all levels, with the backing of peoples representative, local people and tourism industry representatives.

SLRTC
General Body

State RT CELL
Executive Committee

Working Group Working Group Economic Working Group Social Responsibility Environmental Responsibility

DLRTC

DLRTC

DLRTC

DLRTC

Exe Committee

Exe Committee
WG- Economic WG- Social WG- Envmnt

Exe Committee

Exe Committee

WG- Economic WG- Social WG- Envmnt

WG- Economic WG- Social WG- Envmnt

WG- Economic WG- Social WG- Envmnt

Dest. RT CELL

Dest. RT CELL

Dest. RT CELL

Dest. RT CELL

Kerala has developed a large number of unique sustainable tourism products based on states culture and tradition. The most important ones are given below. i) Backwaters: Backwaters of the State is promoted as the Unique Selling Proposition (USP). The houseboat developed from the traditional kettuvalloms used for transporting goods in earlier days through the backwaters and canals of Kerala is an example. The kettuvalloms (rice boats) are made with large planks tied together using handmade coir ropes and beaten coconut fibres without applying any nail. The boats are then applied with fish oil and cashew nut oil for curing. Kettuvalloms lost its usage due to the development of road network and were lying unused for quite a few years. This has been now converted into houseboats used for tourist accommodation with modern facilities to suit the interest of high quality tourists. There are more than 200 houseboats in the State, majority of them are with 1 to 2 bedroom capacity. In the process of development of this new product the traditional craftsmen and the local people are benefited in their socio-economic development. ii) Ayurveda: Ayurveda, the traditional health care system of Kerala is now very effectively used for tourism promotion. The treatments and rejuvenation therapies offered by this system has been widely accepted by the international and domestic tourists. A number of quality facilities have come up in this sector giving employment opportunities and livelihood to thousands of local people. iii) Thekkady Tiger Trail: The Thekkady Tiger Trail, a prestigious tourism product of the State introduced during 1998-99 in collaboration with the State Forest Department envisages a 25-30 Km trek through the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary enabling the tourists to have a close range view of the tropical forest and its flora and fauna including the tiger and 34 other species of mammals. This project is a living example of the proactive partnership with the government bodies, local population and private enterprises to maintain sustainable development and heighten the awareness of the need to preserve nature for posterity. The two-nights/three days trek programme takes tourists to any two of the six identified campsites in the Periyar Tiger Reservoir in one trek. iv) Traditional Art Forms: Kerala is in the forefront to make use of its immensely rich unique culture in tourism promotion. The tradition of classical and folk-arts in Kerala dates back over a thousand years. Koodiyattom, the oldest art form of Kerala

8. What has been achieved by using the sustainable tourism approach

Kerala tourism is a success story in marketing mainly because of the projection of a consistent brand image, innovative promotion strategies, positive perception of the overall environmental quality and safety and security of the visitors. Further the Department of Tourism in Kerala has built up a productive partnership platform with the private sector in the marketing and promotion effort. Pioneering the concept of Responsible Tourism for the first time in the history of India is in Kerala. Responsible Tourism mainly identified with three kinds of responsibilities, which are Economic responsibility, Social responsibility and Environmental responsibility. The responsible tourism initiatives were undertaken in the state by the Department of Tourism in the year 2007. It is adopted as the cornerstone for tourism development in Kerala. The State at the outset implemented Responsible Tourism initiative at four pilot destinations viz, Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad with very active support of the local self Governments and other stake holders. Among these destinations Kumarakom has emerged as the success model for responsible tourism. Kumarakom being the first destination in the country to have successfully implemented responsible tourism was honoured by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for the best Responsible Tourism initiative in Kerala. Kerala has emerged as the most acclaimed tourist destination of the country in the recent past. World Travel and Tourism Council has selected Kerala as a Partner State. National Geographic Travel after 2 years of research has chosen Kerala, as one of the 50 must see destinations of a lifetime. Kerala has been stated as one of the 10 paradises of the World. The other acclaims received by Kerala Tourism include One of the 100 great trips for the 21st Century, by Travel and Leisure; One of the ten hot spots for the millennium, by Emirates Inflight Magazine; One of the best breakfast in the world, by Travel & Leisure; One of the ten love nests in India, by Cosmopolitan; One of the six destinations of the millennium, by Khaleej Times.

9. What are the problems of developing sustainable tourism

Alongside the rapid developments, there are also concerns about the negative impacts of tourism in the state. Prominent economic concerns are the minimal impact of the developments in the economic scenario of local populations, leakages, over dependency on tourism, restriction of employment for local population etc. Other aspects like environmental degradation due to unregulated development, loss of common property resources and pollution have also been highlighted

The problems identified are:

Economic Opportunity costs are not taken into account while implementing tourism projects Special Tourism Zones will bring in lot of inequalities and does not match with the concept of responsible tourism. The method of calculation of tourism statistics is not correct leading to wrong projects on infrastructure development Importance is given only for foreign tourists Expenditure pattern of tourists not monitored properly The exact requirements of the tourism industry are not known locally No involvement of panchayats in tourism projects No tourism projects are reported in gramasabhas Large amount of subsidies and incentives given to tourism industry No bench mark data available for economic, social and environment aspects Over dependence on tourism in some tourism destinations Local governments have been lax in assessment and collection of building tax and entertainment tax Social and Cultural The local labourers are not given proper recognition and opportunities for employment Labour standards are not maintained Traditional jobs are lost Low education standards in rural villages denies jobs No consideration for people working in the informal sectors Promoting art forms is not culture tourism Commodification of art forms Change in food habits of local community; promotes menu suiting foreigners The dangers of sex tourism Contradictions on State and panchayat Raj act not recognised

Environment Present pattern of tourism development is harmful to the local environment Problem of solid waste dumped in public areas No waste management plans in tourist locations Encroachment of common property resources by tourism businesses Destruction of paddy fields for tourism development Large-scale construction detrimental to environment. Illegal constructions by tourism industry Coastal regulation zone by tourism industry on the rise

No visitor management plan for ecotourism Carrying Capacity studies not done House boats exceed carrying capacity limits of Vembanad lake

II. Tourism Industry Some of the issues identified by the group are: Environment No management plan for tourist sites, resulting in degradation Sand mining in water bodies Plastic and other waste dumped in the backwaters Waste disposal not done properly Lack of charter for good environmental practices Economic There are leakages, particularly in top end hotels Need to address the issue of sharing profits in tourism Official statistics provided by Department of tourism are erroneous Staff salaries in Kerala are lower than other destinations Shortage of skilled manpower from local areas Lack of quality products locally available Lack of consistency in supply of local products Social and Cultural The mindset of the people of Kerala to be changed There is gap between community and industry Lack of awareness on tourism Tourism not included in school curriculum III. Government The discussion of the government group focussed more on the economic aspects. Economic Lack of quality in handicrafts and other products made locally The potential of providing locally produced materials to the industry has not been tapped No standardisation of products Lack of inventory of products that could be sourced Social Absence of rehabilitation package for displaced people Lack of awareness on tourism No standardisation of educational institutions in tourism sector Need for syllabus and curriculum standardisation

10. Conclusion and suggestions

As seen, Kerala is an example on how the benefits due to tourism is percolating into the State economy and benefits the local population. The challenge now faced by the State is to sustain these benefits by minimising the negative impacts on the destinations. Government is taking all care for the sustainable development of the region by learning from the mistakes of older destinations in the world. Kerala feels that it will continue to be a tourism driven economy due to the focused and concerted efforts of the Government with the private sector participation and involvement of local population in the development process. Tourism has emerged as a crucial area in the economy of the state of Kerala. It is an important means to attain development. By considering the increasing role of tourism sector the Government and the Non-Governmental Agencies have to give emphasis for the sustainable growth of this sector. We can sell the attraction of our natural beauty, festivals, and backwaters, can promote our high standard of living, and can accelerate the process of development. This should be done not by changing our culture in accordance with the needs and wants of the tourists, but by preserving it as such. Responsible Tourism activity is a means by which inclusive growth can be attained. Kerala is ideally suited to reap benefits through Responsible Tourism. It can only be achieved by Government, local communities and businesses cooperating on practical initiatives in destinations through stable local level partnership. Providing education and learning both to the hosts and visitors is a pre-requisite for the development of Responsible Tourism. The need of the hour is to ensure the whole hearted participation of the stakeholders in the Responsible Tourism in Kerala. References The Economic and Social Impact of Tourism Batir Mirbabayev, Malika Shagazatova international colloquium on regional governance and sustainable development in tourism-driven economies at cancun, state of quintana roo, mexico. paper presented by mr justice sukhdev singh kang, governor of kerala
Dr. Georgee. K.I, Sini M.K; Responsible Tourism

Dr Venu V., Secretary, Kerala Tourism The Kerala Responsible Tourism

Initiative- A Work in Progress