To initiate action and promote Responsible Tourism, eonEcon Foundation in collaboration with the Chandigarh Administration, a Conference was held on 29th March 2008 at the UT Guest House, Sector-6, Chandigarh. The conference was to promote consciousness about social, economic and environment responsibility of tourism industry and how it could be cost-effective as well.

Tourism has a huge impact on the social, economic and environmental aspects of the particular area. Responsible Tourism is a tourism management strategy that embraces planning, management, product development and marketing to bring about positive economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts. The Cape Town Convention of 2002 declared Responsible Tourism to be a form of tourism that:

1. Minimises negative economic, environmental, and social impacts;
2. Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry;
3. Involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances;
4. Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world’s diversity;
5. Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;
6. Provides access for physically challenged people; and
7. Is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

The objectives of the conference were:

1. To create consciousness about social, economic and environment responsibility of tourism industry and how it can be beneficial to the hotel industry in terms of brand, cost effectiveness etc.
2. To create a working group of different stakeholders to formulate a detailed policy for Chandigarh for future.
3. Share information on sustainable architecture.

Amongst the speakers were:

• Mr. Vivek Atray, Director PR, Chandigarh Tourism
• Mr. Pavan Khaitan, President eonEcon Foundation & MD, ABC Paper
• Prof. Anil Laul, Architect, Anangpur Building Centre
• Mr. Manmohan Singh, President, Chandigarh Hotels Group
• Ms. Harveen Kour, Project Manager, eonEcon Foundation

The forum highlighted the importance of environment initiatives, gave an insight into why Responsible Tourism is an important initiative, why sustainability and architecture is important. As a part of the further action plan, hotels will be sent brief guidelines of things that they can adopt as a part of Responsible Tourism programme and also hotels will be addressed and would be a part of working group for making specific policies for Chandigarh hotels to take forward.

Few articles to check:

‘UT tourism industry setting example for whole country’ -Indian Express

Chandigarh Toursim and eonEcon to organize Conference on Tourism-Northern NewsLines

Conference on Responsible Tourism on March 29 -Northern NewsLines blog

UT aims to promote ‘Responsible Tourism’- The Tribune, Chandigarh