Beyond Greening - Tourism Watch

Beyond Greening: Reflections on Tourism in the Rio-Process | Positioningpaperneeds to be redefined from an industry promoter to a people and development-orientedregulator. The primary responsibility of governments, including tourism ministries, is goodgovernance, protecting the well-being of the people, rather than acting merely as a tourismpromotion agency.Government actions at the behest of industry lobbies have led to unsustainable tourismdevelopment in many destinations. The main victims of this biased development are thecommunities who are marginalised. Their concerns are ignored, thus violating theirfundamental human rights in the process.In India, the relaxation and deregulation of certain legislations for tourism developmentcaused unregulated tourism and land speculation. Traditional communities like fisherfolkwere displaced from the coast in a process of market-induced displacement. Fragileenvironments and natural resources of the coast were adversely affected. None of these seriousconcerns has been adequately addressed in the tourism and other related policies, mainlybecause of the increased influence of the industry. The tourism industry is lobbying for morerelaxations and their interests are reflected in many recent policy reforms. Tourism is gettingexemptions from many of the environmental and other legislations (for example theEnvironment Assessment Notification 2006 and the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification).The Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India, which is supposed to protect theinterests of the Indian people and must ensure proper governance in tourism merely acts as atourism promotion agency for big industry players, using Indian tax payers' money. In 2012,the Indian government's budget allocation for overseas tourism promotion and publicityincluding market development assistance is 2.75 billion Indian rupees. 33On the one hand, the industry is lobbyingfor "minimal state" intervention inregulation which allows them to developtourism in a much-liberalised manner. Onthe other hand, industry interest groups seekto have government policy developed intheir favour, including government fundingfor promotion, subsidies, incentives, andinfrastructure development. In addition,these interest groups often lobby to avoidcertain regulations which are against theirbusiness interests. These industry pressuregroups make their voices heard in policyformulation processes. These influencesoften lead to outcomes that adversely affect the environment and interests of communities,and undermine sustainability.33Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Government of India: Outcome Budget (2011-12).http://tourism.gov.in/writereaddata/Uploaded/Finance/051620110344234.pdf, retrieved on 29/5/201258