A

SYNOPSIS

ON

"SUSTAINABLE ADVENTURE TOURISM,

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES"
(A CASE STUDY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH)

SYNOPSIS PROPOSED FOR Ph.D. DEGREE IN

TOURISM AND TRAVEL MANAGEMENT

TO BE SUBMITTED TO

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TOURISM AND TRAVEL MANAGEMENT

NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

SUBMITTED BY

NEERAJ CHAUHAN
INTRODUCTION

Tourism is one of the most rapidly growing sectors in the world, and adventure
tourism is one of its fastest growing categories. Increasingly, countries in all
stages of economic development are prioritizing adventure tourism for market
growth, because they recognize it's ecological, cultural, and economic value. But
most of the countries and regions are ignoring the environmental aspect of
adventure tourism which at present is at alarming stage. With the rise in number
of tourist seeking adventure activities in remote and eco sensitive areas the need
of adapting sustainable practices in adventure tourism is need of the hour.

Today, Himachal Pradesh is becoming leading destination for different

adventure activities, the number of tourist footfalls in previous few year has been
increased aggressively. On one hand this sudden development has improved the
lifestyle of local people and on another hand its effects on the fragile ecosystem
of state can be easily visible in form of uneven rainfall, landslides,land
pollution, land degradation, low ground water levels, Air pollution, melting
of glaciers, floods, cloud bursting, rise in temperature and river pollution.
Due to lack of awareness to both local residents and tourists, environment
degradation is happening in urban to remote areas of the state. The main regions
of adventure activities includes Manali, Kullu, Shimla, Kangra, Dharamshala,
kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti, currently all of these regions are facing problems due
to overcrowded tourist inflow and there activities. Regions like Shimla and
Manali are handling tourist far more than there carrying capacity, such activities
leads to environmental issues like recent water crises in Shimla city, and
blackening and receding of glaciers in the area of Rohtang pass in Manali at the
rate of 10-12 m a year due to which (National Green Tribunal) NGT has to
restrict tourist movement to the famous Rohtang Pass.
With increase in disposable income, transportation facilities and development of
Information and communication technology the tourist inflow to these regions
will be keep rising every year, the need of the hour is to carefully preserve our
natural resources by practicing sustainable tourism methods in all such activities
which are directly related to human-nature interaction and are effecting our
environment. There is an immediate need of a sustainable tourism framework for
the state which can help in reducing harmful effects of unplanned and rigorous
tourism.

ADVENTURE TOURISM IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

The Himalayas constitutes the highest mountain system of the world. In the lap
of mighty Himalayas lies beautiful and peaceful state of Himachal Pradesh, with
lush green valleys and snowing peaks and panoramic views. Due to such
geographical and climatic conditions Himachal Pradesh offers different
adventure activities for adventure enthusiasts as well as normal tourists, For
example para- gliding, hand gliding, white water rafting, angling, camping,
mountain biking, car rallies, cycling, bird watching mountaineering and trekking.
There are 270 identified treks in Himachal, which are utilised by domestic and
foreign tourists. Himachal is full of beautiful places many of them are totally
unexplored and unknown and hence hold immense lure for the tourists. With the
rapid growth of tourism especially adventure tourism state is gaining popularity
worldwide, this is helping the state in every aspect. But with this unplanned and
improper development in urban as well as remote areas which have sensitive
ecosystems a need for proper policies and actions of sustainable tourism in
required immediately.
SUSTAINABLE ADVENTURE TOURISM

The term sustainability is an interesting term as it could be applied in two ways,

first, sustainable practice of tourism and second is the sustainability of tourism.
Though there are two different entities apparently; in reality, they are intertwined
and interdependent aspects of tourism, which in simple term could be put as
‘sustainable form of activities that are good for the community, local economy
and the environment in general. Such tourism activities however qualify to be
considered as Sustainable Tourism.

The WTO (United Nations, 2003) defines Sustainable Tourism as a form of

tourism that meets the needs of tourists and host regions while protecting and
enhancing opportunities for the future, where resources are managed in such a
way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining
cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life
support systems. Adventure tourism by existence is not very far from such
criterion. While taste, demand and nature of activities are changing, dynamic
natural environment would continue to demand better and friendly treatment from
visitors, tourist operators and host communities alike for it is a non-renewable
resource base that should be better conserved than to repent later. Going by the
recent trend of aggressive growth in the adventure tourism segment, it is clear
that the day is not very far when the impact will be almost irreversible. This calls
for an urgent introspection and cumulative corrective measures including
awareness and capacity development programmes at different levels and for
difference target audience, proper skill development for the service providers
including guides and instructors, supportive policy intervention, a sensitivity
laced framework to bring about change to the industry as such, creation of
knowledge bodies and think tanks, introduction of incentive based self-
assessment of tourism operation and voluntary certification.
Although, a growing change in behaviour has been observed among the tourists
in the recent times, a larger chunk of visitor's still lack awareness. It is for the
tourism bodies to adopt code of conduct at local and regional levels and get them
implemented with rigour. This could be rather considered as an opportunity to
preach and practice principles of sustainability into adventure tourism operations.

Adventure tourism for its reach and direct contact with humans, could be
perceived as a very effective medium that will be able to bring in much needed
responsibility. Being sensitive towards oddness is a quality we lack when we
travel to alien lands. Responsibility also entails adaptability and our ability to
assimilate. When we start to consider travel as a learning opportunity and give
the respect it deserves as a great teacher, a lot of our problems will dissipate
almost instantaneously; for which we’ll have to start loving and appreciating our
own roots and heritage first.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Adventure tourism is one of the fastest growing sector of the tourism sector,
attracting high value customers, supporting local economies, and encouraging
sustainable practices. Thus, the continued growth of this sector creates net
positive impacts not only for tourism, but also for destination economies, their
people, and their environment. With rising levels of disposable income, many
emerging economies have shown fast growth over recent years, especially in
markets in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The
tourism industry is one of the largest economic sectors in the world accounting
for 9% of global GDP and one in eleven jobs. The impacts of tourism are large
and complex, not least because tourism can focus on the most vulnerable natural
and cultural sites across the globe. Today, short-term financial gains can often
take precedence over long-term environmental and cultural considerations.
With rising in number of adventure tourist in state of Himachal Pradesh, The
challenge is for the tourism sector and government bodies to use its best efforts
to reduce the negative impacts of tourism, while safeguarding and/or enhancing
local environments, biodiversity, and culture. Tourism where appropriately
managed and monitored, play an important role in poverty alleviation, cultural
understanding, and biodiversity conservation. As such, adventure travel must be
consciously planned and undertaken to maintain or enhance biological and
cultural diversity and to be economically viable and socially equitable.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

 Primarily, the study will analyse the potential of obtaining sustainable

methods in adventure tourism, and how present practices are effecting the
socio-cultural, economic, and environmental system of the Himachal
Pradesh.
 Later, the study will explore the opportunities which are not achieved due
to lack of awareness and improper planning and uneven development.
 The study will also focus on the challenges like government policies, local
residents who will resist change and different types of tourists.
 Finally study will try to provide best remedies and a framework for
implementing sustainable practices in every area of adventure tourism.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 To understand the structure of adventure tourism in state of Himachal

Pradesh and to gain familiarity with different types of adventure activities
at different places in the state.
 To examine the role and impact of adventure tourism at social, cultural and
environmental level in the state.
  To understand the challenges and opportunities of implementing
sustainable adventure tourism and to analyse the level of awareness among
local residents and tourist regarding sustainable tourism.
 To develop a "sustainable adventure tourism framework" which will
provide guidelines and effective solutions to problems regarding
sustainable adventure tourism.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research will be conducted with a good combination of qualitative and

quantitative research approach. In qualitative research the case study
method and the observational method will be followed. The tools are used in
qualitative research are focus group discussion (FGD)and In-depth
Interview, In quantitative research approach the questionnaire
survey(random sampling) method with random sampling technique is
planned to be followed.

SOURCE OF DATA COLLECTION

1.The basic source of the secondary data source are national and
international tourism literatures, facts and figures provided by national and
international organization, several books on adventure tourism as well as
several research paper on adventure tourism etc. Internet databases relating
to tourism will also be utilized for the purpose of secondary data collection.

2..The tools those will be used in gathering primary data are questionnaire
surveys.The random sampling technique will be used to fill up the
questionnaire. Focus group discussions will be conducted for gathering the
qualitative information.In this present research depth interviews will be
conducted to find the real fact associated with the research objectives.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

1. Adventure tourism management , Ralf Buckley,2010

2. Environmental impacts of Eco tourism, Ralf Buckley 2008
3. Tourism and the Environment: A Geographical Perspective, Butler (2000)
4. Challenges of Sustainable Tourism Development in the Developing World,
Tosun (2001)
5. Sustainable Tourism: An Evolving Global Approach, Bramwell and Lane
(1993)
6. Mountain Tourism: Toward a Conceptual Framework Nepal and
Chipeniuk (2005)
7. The Routledge Handbook of Tourism and Sustainability, C.Michael Hall,
Daniel Scott.
8. Philosophy and psychology of extreme sports , Easson (2006)
9. Sustainable Tourism and the Evolving Roles of Government Planning
Bramwell and Lane (2010)
10.Leisure Activities and Perceived Risk. Emmanuel J. Cheron and J. R. Brent
Ritchie.
11.Human adventure psychology, Swarbrooke , (2003)