SUSTAINABLE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM PRACTICES: PERSPECTIVE OF PARAVUR, KOLLAM, SOUTH INDIA

Abstract

Concern over the natural and social environments have generated research debate worldwide on tourism-environment relationship. Responsible tourism practices have become the most popular perception and standard for modern tourism development. It promotes the conservation and overall sustainable utilization, management and protection and of the natural environment, local cultures and contributes towards a better quality of life. This paper focuses to ascertain the promotion of sustainable tourism practices in Paravur, Kollam district, a place in South India. Self- administered questionnaires were distributed to the inhabitants of the study area using quota sampling. The study also envisages to diagnose problems faced by the local people and the government authorities in the area of responsible sustainable tourism practices, identify problems and propose management options in such a way that the impacts on the environment is limited also promoting the social, cultural and economic development of the residents of Paravur area. Finally, it is highly imperative to educate the participants and stakeholders related to the deployment of responsible and sustainable tourism practices. The prerequisites for responsible sustainable tourism includes: environmental awareness, education, information, ethics, stakeholder participation, cooperation and consensus among the stakeholders and finally results in the tourist satisfaction.