Government Measures on Sustainable Tourism Development in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India: Residents’ Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53573/rhimrj.2024.v11n6.001Keywords:
Sustainable tourism, government measures, community participation, eco-friendly practices, Andaman and Nicobar IslandsAbstract
This study aims to understand the perceptions of residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands regarding government measures for sustainable tourism development. Literature indicates that poor management of tourism and over-tourism cause adverse multidimensional impacts on destinations and communities, necessitating the emergence of sustainability. The government has initiated actions to promote sustainability in tourism, but understanding residents' opinions is crucial. The study used a structured interview schedule based on a five-point Likert scale, involving 771 participants from three districts. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, independent sample t-tests, and one-way ANOVA were conducted using SPSS. Five factors were extracted: sustainable tourism governance, climate action awareness, stakeholders' engagement, eco-friendly practices, and community empowerment. The government's efforts in eco-friendly practices were somewhat positive but not satisfactory, with poor performance in stakeholder engagement and moderate results for the other factors. Significant differences were found in participants' perspectives based on marital status, area of living, gender, age, and working status. The study suggests that policymakers and the government should regularly monitor implemented regulations and ongoing projects, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and encourage active participation, including locals, to enhance sustainable tourism with maximum benefits and minimal harm.
References
Andaman and Nicobar Gazette. (2015). Eco-tourism Policy Guidelines for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Breakey, N., A, S., & L, R. (2012). Human Resource Policies: Striving for Sustainable Tourism Outcomes in the Maldives. Tourism Recreation Research. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02508281.2012.11081696
Calculli, C., D’Uggento, A. M., Labarile, A., & Ribecco, N. (2021). Evaluating people’s awareness about climate changes and environmental issues: A case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 324, 129244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129244
Chand, S., Singh, S., Parappurathu, S., Roy, S. D., & Kumar, A. (2015). Explaining the status and scope of ecotourism development for livelihood security: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 22(4), 335–345. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2015.1050478
Chandralal, L., & Fernando, B. (2022). Attitudes of tourism entrepreneurs and support towards sustainable tourism practices in Sri Lanka. The Journal of Behavioral Science, 17(2), 1–15. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85131400172&partnerID=40&md5=d76a71904c193148cb8381b97d62669f
Choi, H. C., & Murray, I. (2010). Resident attitudes toward sustainable community tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18(4), 575–594. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580903524852
Draçi, P., & Demi, A. (2023). Residents’ perceptions of sustainable tourism governance and development. Corporate & Business Strategy Review, 4(2), 94–113. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.22495/cbsrv4i2art9
Farsari, I. (2023). Exploring the nexus between sustainable tourism governance, resilience and complexity research. Tourism Recreation Research, 48(3), 352–367. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2021.1922828
Ferguson, A. F. (2003). Perspective plan for tourism development in Andaman & Nicobar Islands (p. 232). MoTAC-Department of Tourism. https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2020-01/andaman.pdf
Ginanjar, R., & Runingsawitri, H. S. (2023). Community Empowerment In Tourism Development: Concepts And Implications. The Eastasouth Management and Business, 1(3), 111–119. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.58812/esmb.v1.i03
Global Sustainable Tourism Council. (2016). GSTC Industry Criteria (version 3). chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.gstcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/GSTC-Industry_Criteria_only_v3_21Dec-2016_Final.pdf
Global Sustainable Tourism Council. (2019). GSTC Destination Criteria (2). chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.gstcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/GSTC-Destination-Criteria-v2.0-with-SDGs.pdf
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2014). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Pearson Education Ltd.
Harry, A., & Sankaran, V. (2002). Sustainable management of protected areas in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Jitendra, K., & Muralidharan, A. (2019). Transforming the islands through creativity and innovations. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2019-07/Transforming-the-Islands-through-Creativity-&-Innovation.pdf
Kapiki, S. (2012). Implementing Sustainable Practices in Greek Ecofriendly Hotels. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 13(2A), 1117–1123. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Soultana-Kapiki/publication/256035349_Implementing_Sustainable_Practices_in_Greek_Eco-Friendly_Hotels/links/00b7d521a3c4faf8cd000000/Implementing-Sustainable-Practices-in-Greek-Eco-Friendly-Hotels.pdf?origin=journalDetail&_tp=eyJwYWdlIjoiam91cm5hbERldGFpbCJ9
Ministry of Environment and Forest. (1991). The Gazette of India.
Ministry of Tourism. (2023). TOURISM IN THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS.
Nabiha, A. K. S., & Saad, N. H. M. (2015). Tourism planning and stakeholders’ engagements: The case of Penang Island. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 13(2). https://www.businessperspectives.org/images/pdf/applications/publishing/templates/article/assets/6720/PPM_2015_02spec.issue_M_Siti-Nabiha.pdf
NITI Aayog. (2019). Transforming Andaman and Nicobar Islands Creativity & Innovation.
Planning Department. (2017). VISION 2030 & 7 – YEAR STRATEGY 2017-2024 OF ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS.
Sharma, T. (2017). Tourism Policy and Implementation in India: A Center versus State Tug-of-War. Advances in Hospitality and Leisure, 13, 143–153. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1745-354220170000013008noreen
Tapia, M. E., & Anne, Z. (2012). Intergrating sustainability in policy—The role of Chilean governement.
The Daily Telegrams. (2023). Secretary throws light on major projects under RCS-UDAN Scheme to bolster Civil Aviation sector of Isles.
Thulasimala, D., & DevDass, P. (2010). Island eco-tourism: A case study of Andaman islands, India. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 3(12), 1247–1254. https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2010/v3i12.21
World Tourism Organization, & United Nations Development Programme. (2017). Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals – Journey to 2030.
