Team Herald
PANJIM: On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT) raised a very existential issue about the State, citing the various agitations across due to the promotion of corporatisation of tourism spaces which is gaining prominence.
In a statement to the media, CRT Executive Secretary Fr Freddy Braganca has stated that in the name of development, the State offers public resources to the high and mighty at the cost of local communities, and those who choose to question the unjust practices are silenced through the draconian laws like UAPA and PMLA cases and are left to linger in jails, without justice.
Fr Braganca said, “Indigenous people and local communities are being displaced to make a place for the rich. It is a do or die situation to safeguard the heritage for future generations. We have witnessed so much of unrest in our own State precisely for the reason of losing our identity due to changes in regulations to favour the industrialists.” “In this regard, we adopt the statement of the Tourism Alert and Action Forum (TAAF), which emphasises that tourism and peace are intertwined, but incomplete without justice,” he said.
Hence, recognising tourism’s potential impact on local economies and cultures is vital. Responsible travel practices, respectful dialogue with local communities, and supporting sustainable tourism initiatives are essential. Collaboration between tourists, tourism operators, governments, and local communities is necessary for creating an equitable tourism industry, said Fr Braganca.
“By prioritising justice, we create a more equitable tourism industry benefiting all. This requires going beyond rhetoric and taking tangible steps. TAAF encourages us to foster a tourism industry that truly promotes peace, understanding, and equality,” Fr Braganca added.