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Responsible tourism and sustainability: the case of Kumarakom in Kerala, India
This paper discusses the notion of ‘responsible tourism’ and its current use within the tourism literature. We argue that the concept as used currently means everything and therefore adds nothing to the conceptual terrain of tourism trends and nomenclatures. We then introduce our own understanding o...
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| Formato: | Printed Book |
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Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure & Events
2012
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| Acceso en línea: | http://10.26.1.76/ks/006668.pdf |
| Sumario: | This paper discusses the notion of ‘responsible tourism’ and its current use within
the tourism literature. We argue that the concept as used currently means everything
and therefore adds nothing to the conceptual terrain of tourism trends and
nomenclatures. We then introduce our own understanding of the concept arguing
that while responsible tourism is linked to sustainability initiatives such as
alternative tourism, ecotourism, ethical tourism, green tourism, soft tourism, pro-
poor tourism, geo-tourism, integrated tourism, community-based tourism, etc it
also demarcates an analytical realm of its own. We suggest that the practical use
of the term in areas where it has been adopted (such as South Africa and Kerala
for instance) suggests a rather restricted use. We identified this realm as the
tourism sector-specific manifestation of the corporate social responsibility (CSR)
agenda. Following Flyvberg's [(2006). Five misunderstandings about case-study
research. Qualitative Inquiry, 12(2), 219–245] call for exemplars and paradigmatic
case studies to advance knowledge in a particular domain, the responsible tourism
initiative in Kumarakon, Kerala, is presented. Discussion of the case study traces
the particular governance context of Kerala and the position of tourism in the state
economy. The responsible tourism initiatives at the state level and local level are
then described highlighting the ‘how’ of the implementation and the impact that it
has produced. Generic, non-prescriptive principles that could be said to be
necessary in some form for the successful translation of responsible tourism
principles to practices are then identified. Such an approach is contrasted with one
that places faith in the voluntary adoption of ‘responsible’ practices by the private
sector on its own. It is argued that responsible tourism can make a contribution to
practice provided the conceptual terrain is delineated against other forms of
tourism and if research within the terrain can unpack the particular forms of
challenges that are thrown up by the delineation itself. |
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| Descripción Física: | p. 302–326 Vol. 4, No. 3, November 2012, |