Newstrack

Sunderbans Jungle Camp wins responsible tourism award

The little known Indian resort stood out for its multiple innovations

Rajiv Tikoo - Mumbai

Sunderbans Jungle Camp has been nominated for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2007 to be given in May in Lisbon, Portugal. Awarded by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the awards felicitate best practices in responsible tourism under different categories.

Said WTTC in its announcement, "Sunderbans Jungle Camp is providing a light at the end of the tunnel with its promotion of sustainable tourism as an alternative to subsistence livelihood among local people which has contributed to environmental degradation and poverty."

Sunderbans Jungle Camp is run by Help Tourism. Says Asit Biswas, managing director, Help Tourism, "This nomination is a recognition of our mission to link heritage sites and protected areas with the livelihood of our local communities through community-based, environmentally and socially responsible tourism."

The little known Indian resort may be just a contender for top honours in responsible tourism as of now, but there are others that have already won such niche awards in the recent past. In November 2006, the First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards (under the best large hotel category) felicitated The Orchid Hotel - Mumbai, for its responsible tourism model.

"A 'zero garbage' hotel with multiple innovations to be more energy efficient, they also stood out for their strong outreach programme within the local community," noted the organisers.

The First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards are a collaboration between responsibletravel.com and its partners to promote tourism that "respects and benefits destinations and local people".

Elaborates Param Kannampilly, director, The Orchid Hotel - Mumbai, "We have been able to internalise our green philosophy and our staff and our guests are encouraged to participate in our various environmental programmes. Our staff undergo compulsory environment education during their induction and are audited regularly."

The First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards also commended highly outdoor education and travel company Blue Yonder, Kerala, under its Best for Poverty Reduction segment. At the 2006 World Travel Market, London, the world's leading responsible tourism award was bagged by Endogenous Tourism Project from India.

Run by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at 31 rural locations, the project enables local communities to acquaint visitors with their art and craft, and cultural and natural heritage.

Kerala Tourism too has got its share of accolades. In April 2006, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) felicitated Kerala Tourism for its 'Zero Waste Kovalam' with a Grand Award and Kumbalangi (Kerala Tourism) with a Gold Award.

The announcement noted, "Zero Waste Kovalam aims to tackle the waste issue in the fishing village and beach destination of Kovalam by changing the way the community uses materials and resources." It added, "Zero waste is an ethical, economical and efficient way of looking at material use, reducing the production of waste, and enhancing waste management procedures."

Responsible tourism does not only get awards, but also profits. Says Mandeep Singh Soin, founder and managing director of Ibex Expeditions, "Ultimately it's profitable as you gain loyal customers and in some cases you save operating costs as well."

He should know. A pioneer in responsible tourism in India, he has already won the PATA Gold Award, Green Globe Distinction Award, World Travel Market Environment Award, and Ministry of Tourism (India) Award of Excellence, etc.