Sustainable Tourism Development in North India: Perception of Tourism Stakeholders

Introduction

During last three decades the many tourism researchers (Dewhurst & Thomas, 2003;Hardy et al., 2002;Mohinder and Arvind, 2011) turned their center of attention on sustainable tourism. Furthermore, the ‘sustainable’ concept hasbeen filtered many times to develop its practical application in the economic development of a nation. Therefore, it has emerged a useful form of tourism both for tourists and destination communities.Sustainable tourism may be thought of as “tourism which is in a form that can maintain its viability in an area for an indefinite period of time” (Butler, 1993).Theidea sustainable tourism has been broadly discussed and explored by scholars such as (Din, 1996; Hardy et al., 2002; Butler, 1993; Coata & Allen, 1999). But,these studies are likelymore emphasis on the physical environment; definitions of sustainable tourism also consist of the social and cultural environment of destinations. Further, many scholars have tried to build up a definition for sustainable tourism (Hardy et al., 2002; Manning, Clifford, Docherty, & Ernst, 1996; Coata & Allen, 1999; House, 1997; Hunter, 1997). However, Butler (1993) thoughtthat sustainable development in the context of tourism could be taken as tourism which remains viable over an indefinite period and does not degrade or alter the environment (human and physical) in which it exists to such a degree that it prohibits the successful development and well-being of other activities and processes. Thus, it is broadly recognised that the development of sustainable tourism is necessary to the future of both the tourism industry and the protected areas (Dewhurst & Thomas, 2003; Lascurain, 1996; Eagles et al., 2002; Europarc Federation, 2001; International Union for Conservation of Nature, 1994).According to WTO“leading to managementof all resources in such a way that economic,social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilledwhile maintaining cultural integrity, essentialecological processes, biological diversity andlife support systems”.

Vernon et al., (2005) opined that modern tourism is characterized by numerous collaborative initiatives amongdiverse stakeholders. The importance of collaboration and partnerships for achieving sustainable development was articulated in the 1987 Brundtland Report and consequently became enshrined in Local Agenda 21. Bramwell & Lane, (1999) report the factors that were dependable forgrowing stakeholder participation in tourism development. Many studies pointed out that the new era and the approaching decades are a crucial time for the relationship among the stakeholders and sustainable development. more these studies not only emphasized the role of stakeholders for the preservation of the world’s intrinsic assets for future generations, but also for all other industries that use the earth’s natural resources and may be the part of tourism industry. but, the tourism’s contribution to the global economy and its potential for enabling sustainable development are becoming more evident.