Ethical issues in the Tourism Industry

The tourism industry can become one of the main sources of income for several countries, especially developing nations, which have a huge potential for tourism. Ironically, it is also one of the prominent service sector which sees a gross violation of corporate ethical conduct. Simply because a foreigner to a country is not aware of the system of operations, as well prevalent cultures, the local population tends to exploit that ignorance to their benefit. They without a conscience act upon ways to manipulate the trust which the ignorant tourist places upon them.One of the several issues in the ethical issues of the tourism industry is the non-disclosure of information to the tourist. The information provided to the tourist before they avail the service is many a time misguided and fine print, well, you could call it a bit too fine! A lot of relevant information is left out, leaving the consumer tourist confused. The exchange and return policy on products, the fares of commercial vehicles, the added expenses of a trip, you name it, the tourist has been exploited.

Tourists on a regular basis are told about domestic travel and package deals, which seem pretty attractive and affordable prima facie, but when the actual trip commences they find several added expenses being incurred, leaving the tourist feeling cheated. The authorities do not provide sufficient information as to the rates of travel, stay, and places which are the places the tourist should be aware of, which might be a threat to them.

There are several ways the tourism industry may take better care of this problem. The main initiative is required from the tourism ministry of the country, since it is the regulatory authority. More stringent norms for tourist satisfaction, providing easy access of relevant information to the tourists, about rates, tariffs, certified places of accommodation and modes of travel, are required to prevent the tourist being duped. A tourist’s satisfaction is of the utmost importance, because a displeased tourist leaves a bad impression about a whole nation.

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Differential Charging in Tourism

Differential charging has been an   unethical issue in today’s tourism industry.  Its has been  a very common  sighting  foreigners  being  charged excessively  not only by the  private service providers  but also  by the government. For example: I can locate the rate board  at the red fort  showing  huge differences in the rate for sight seeing for Indian as  they charge only Rs. 15 per person but for the foreigners  they charge around Rs. 50 per person.

In fact, such issue is not only prevalent in Delhi only but else where also. Such issue may hamper the industry to large extent as deferential treatments of the tourists erode the interest of the tourists and they may frame unimpressive opinion regarding our country. As a result people may avoid touring such place

Tourism is a huge industry. The profit generated from it may be an important source of income generation for our any nation. Even small villages can be tourism spot.  Once I had time to visit pure where I saw a village totally earning its income through art and craft material they prepare and sale to tourists. But the rate they charged was not appropriate. And therefore I avoided buying thing there.

The private service provider like the taxi drivers, the shopkeepers, hawkers and pundits at religious places are not always generous while treating the tourists. They charge unethically. Once I had been to Allahabad for a bath in the holy Sangam. The boat rowers took Rs. 1000 for only 2 persons, but later on I came to know that the fare was only Rs. 10 per person.

However it is very difficult to curb the disorganized unethical issues prevalent all over the industry. Charging the tourists differentially infact is loss making policy. Legal provision is needed in order to reduce such discrepancies in this sector.

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Spectacular Commonwealth Games failed to attract many foreigners

According to recent study published by Times of India on November 07, 2010 titled “Despite CWG hype, only 5% rise in foreign tourist inflow”, there is no substantial increase in tourists inflow for and after the Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi. There has been a paltry 5% increase in October 2010 as compared to October 2009. The number of foreign tourists arriving at Delhi airport has increased by a measly 5.1% as per data published by Union tourism ministry.The statistics for the rest of the country were hardly any better. Altogether, 487,000 foreign tourists visited India as against 446,000 during October 2009 registering an increase of 9%.

In the last six months, 4.3 million foreign tourists visited India during January-October 2010 with a growth rate of 9.9% as compared to last year. Increase in number of travelers indicates that travelers hit by economic recession were gradually bouncing back. Growth had dipped to 6.7% during January-October 2009 over the corresponding period of 2008.

Foreign exchange earnings from tourism during January- October 2010 were Rs 513.34 billion with a growth rate of 21.1%, as compared to Rs 423.9 billion with a growth of 4.1% during January-October 2009 over the corresponding period of 2008.

There is an increase in business and leisure travel. However, India failed to capitalise on the opportunity that the Games as an international sporting event offered, owing to negative publicity for the lack of enthusiasm abroad and absence of a focused, well-orchestrated campaign and planning. (Source: Times of India, November 07, 2010)

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Rural Tourism: will it help to build the Country's Brand Image

To sell anything it is important to build a brand image. Perhaps, this is the strategy now India is adapting too. In order to promote Indian tourism, rural tourism is been promoted these days. Interestingly, India is the country with the largest holidays therefore giving many reasons for the people to roam around in and out India. Read on to know whether rural tourism will really help building country’s brand image?

What is Rural Tourism?

First of all, let’s first clear the concept of rural tourism for you. In government terms or in broad terms, rural tourism is any type of tourism that showcases the rural life, culture, art and heritage of the rural places of India. Thereby, helping the local community both socially and economically by an increase in tourism. Rural tourism is usually experience oriented and at locations that are sparsely populated and full of natural environments and local events. Just like ecotourism focuses on environment, rural tourism focuses on the rural life of a country.

Rustic Charm – Attracting Foreign Tourists

India, often known as the land of snake charmers is best characterized for its rustic charm. So, why won’t the same rustic charm help in attracting foreign tourists? It is a fact known that rural India is simple incredible and full of a variety of arts, dances, cuisines and cultures. Government is not just trying to make a brand image of the country through rural tourism but it is also trying to promote local art and craft based culture of India so that the rural people can earn sustainable livelihoods.

Foreigners being attracted by rural states

Another thing that help is promoting rural tourism of India is the abundance of festivals and fairs in rural India. Foreign tourists are attracted with the fests of India like the Jatra Festival, Vasanta Utsav, Poush Mela, Pushkar Mela, Jhoolan and other such fests and melas. Needless to say, that a foreign tourist who explores the rural India is hardly left untouched by the excitement of this world that is full of lively adventure and serene experience. People of rural India are known for their pure hearts and hospitable nature that indeed helps building the country’s brand image.

Main Objectives of Rural Tourism in India

Now, have a look at the main objectives of rural tourism in India:

• The first and foremost objective of promoting rural tourism is to showcase sustainable tourism. It is also a way of letting foreigners understand the ordinary and everyday life of the rural India and thereby raising its standard.
• Another object is to generate a good amount of revenue and a good source of income for the local people, especially craftsmen and artisans to encourage their art.
• Rural tourism in India also aims to promote the historical monuments, their environment, dwellings, town layout and lanes. In other words, rural tourism will help conserving the country’s rural heritage.

To conclude, we can say that rural tourism will definitely help building the country’s brand image to a great extent and it is already helping it.

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