Responsible Tourism Storytelling For Promoting India
India is a country with a rich and varied cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and vibrant cities. The tourism industry has the potential to be a major contributor to the country's economy, but it must be managed in a responsible and sustainable manner. Communities risk being used by tourism unless they organise to attract the kind of visitors, international and domestic, who will appreciate what their place has to offer. Increasingly tourists are looking for experiences and meaningful connections. It is through storytelling that communities can best engage with their guests and share their understanding of their place, the world and their humanity.
From the ancient civilization of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro to the Mughal Empire and British Raj, India has a long and fascinating story to tell. The country is home to a wealth of architectural marvels, scenic beauty, and spiritual sites that attract millions of tourists every year. However, simply visiting these places does not fully capture the essence of India's story. To truly understand and appreciate the country's history and culture, it is important to understand the stories of India. Storytelling helps in communicating ideas and emotions, and it has been used in various forms throughout human history, including legends, ballads, oral storytelling, written storytelling, and visual storytelling.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for promoting responsible tourism, as it influences people's emotions, perceptions, and behaviours. To effectively leverage the power of storytelling in promoting responsible tourism, Indian cities need to choose stories that reflect the unique cultural and historical heritage of their place in all its rich diversity. This includes highlighting the cultural and spiritual traditions of the region, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as well as the region's natural attractions and legacy in terms of culture, tradition, history, and diversity. India has a long and fascinating history to tell, a wealth of stories, but promoting it to the world in a responsible manner is a challenging task.
While promoting cultural and historical attractions, Indian cities can also promote responsible tourism practices, buying local art and craft, tasting local food, listening to local music and watching local performances of dance and music – and perhaps joining in. Memories are co-created by hosts and guests and they drive repeat visits and recommendations to families and friends. By the stories they tell, storytellers can encourage travellers to visit in a way that is mindful and respectful of the local community and the environment. There is also a need to promote cultural heritage and encourage travellers to engage with local communities and learn about the history and traditions of the region.
One of the most important aspects of India's history is its rich cultural heritage. This includes the country's ancient architecture, literature, music, dance, and festivals. By highlighting these cultural treasures, India can showcase its rich cultural heritage and promote itself as a destination for cultural tourism. By sharing compelling stories about the cultural, historical, and natural attractions of Indian cities, the country can create a more positive image of itself and encourage travellers to visit in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Responsible tourism is a form of tourism that prioritizes the well-being of local communities, the protection of cultural heritage, and the preservation of the natural environment. By promoting responsible tourism, Indian cities can create a more sustainable and equitable tourism industry that benefits everyone, from local residents to visitors. The promotion of responsible tourism in Indian cities need to focus on developing sustainable tourism practices, such as reducing waste and carbon emissions, protecting wildlife and ecosystems, and supporting local communities. Furthermore, by promoting responsible tourism, Indian cities can preserve their cultural heritage, protect their natural environment, and support local communities. By doing so, the stakeholders can create a more sustainable and equitable tourism industry that benefits everyone, from local residents to visitors.
One of India's challenges is to encourage young people to bring up their children in the community in which they were born. Quality responsible tourism creates economic opportunities for young people, and they will value their culture more when they see that visitors do. The Indian story is never complete without its people who have maintained a continuity of heritage even with modern lifestyles. The stories of places and people can make exciting tourism offers only if these are researched, written, shared and developed as business propositions.
Young people have a unique ability to influence the opinions and behaviours of others. They are typically more tech-savvy and have a greater presence on social media, making them valuable ambassadors for promoting India tourism. By leveraging their energy, creativity, and social media skills, India can reach a new generation of travellers and build a more positive image of the country. While storytelling is a powerful tool for promoting India, it is essential to do so in a responsible manner. This means avoiding stories that may be harmful or offensive to the country's image. For example, stories that promote stereotypes or reinforce negative perceptions of India should be avoided.
The youth has to get engaged in promoting India tourism, it is important to understand their motivations and preferences. Young people today are looking for unique, authentic experiences that challenge their preconceptions and broaden their horizons. They are interested in discovering new cultures, connecting with local communities, and exploring the great outdoors. By highlighting these experiences, India can appeal to the desires of young travellers and encourage them to visit the country. The effort has to be quantified towards respecting the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, help in conserving their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.
With the rise of digital media and online platforms, there is an opportunity to tell India's story to a global audience, but it is essential to do so in a way that reflects the country's values and protects its image. The stakeholders have to facilitate programs to celebrate India's diverse culture, ensuring that our country's legacy remains open to access and pertinent to everyone, without losing integrity. Skill enhancement becomes an essential factor for internal and external tourism business transformation to bring authentic experiences based on people's values, interlinking the economy, and a healthy life.
Responsible tourism promotion through storytelling of Indian cities can attract more visitors who return home with irreplaceable memories while preserving their cultural heritage and natural environment.
By: Dr Harold Goodwin, he has worked on 4 continents with local communities, their governments and the inbound and outbound tourism industry. Harold is a director of the Responsible Tourism Partnership (RTP) and runs the series of conferences which began in Cape Town on Responsible Tourism in Destinations and which in 2008 brought Responsible Tourism to Kerala and India.
And Sachin Bansal, Founder and Chief Explorer® of ‘City Explorers Private Limited, India’
