Stakeholders in the tourism sector advocate for practical crowd control strategies to enhance the travel experience and safeguard the natural and cultural essence of destinations.
Published Feb 10, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 10, 2024 | 12:00 PM
Long weekends, once eagerly awaited for leisurely escapes, are now flashpoints of tourist congestion. (Photos from X, iSotck)
For two years, from 2020-2022, the world was witness to a nasty virus that devoured the beings of planet Earth, with a wicked grin, etched on its mouth. To put it succinctly, the COVID-19 virus was a party pooper that scuppered the travel plans of people across the world. Sadly, what emerged as an aftermath was revenge tourism. Tourists splurged on getaways, and travel became a necessity to make up for lost time.
Long weekends, once eagerly awaited for leisurely escapes, soon started transforming into flashpoints of tourist congestion and infrastructure strain.
Browse through popular social media and one can find photographs of hordes of travellers flocking to popular destinations.
The most recent and worrying instance was the viral video and photograph that captured the overwhelming presence of trekkers on the Kumara Parvatha trek in Karnataka’s Pushpagiri forest on January 26.
The population of India is 1.4B, avoid travelling to popular tourism destinations within India on long weekends or during the peak season. pic.twitter.com/hmV4zNLsx3
— Visit Udupi (@VisitUdupi) January 27, 2024
Yet, this phenomenon is not exclusive to this spot. The photograph mirrors a commonly sighted scene across numerous popular destinations in India, particularly during extended weekends and peak travel season.
Recalling one of his recent experiences, P Asoka, President of the Tourist Guides’ Federation of India, shares with South First, “I was in Agra for Diwali, then Jaipur for Christmas, Kochi for New Year, and finally Hampi for Pongal. Every iconic site was inundated with domestic tourists. The American travellers with me were jostled and pushed amidst the chaos.”
The beautiful and famous Sri Krishna temple at Udupi; and the Malpe beach at Udupi is one of the best I have seen. The sunset view is a big bonus at Malpe beach! @ankit1989 @travelshoebum @Mamta_nigam14 @upma23 @TheUrgeToWander @anuradhagoyal @lakshmisharath @amibhat @nistula pic.twitter.com/nPmSWQ0TgA
— Ananth Rupanagudi (@Ananth_IRAS) September 17, 2021
Echoing a similar sentiment, Shrinidhi Hande, a Udupi-based travel blogger, recounts, “Long weekends are precious, and everyone wants to maximise them. I’ve seen massive crowds at Nandi Hills, Malpe Beach, Kumara Parvatha, and countless other spots.”
Seasoned travellers, including Hande, emphasise the importance of research and venturing beyond the usual haunts.
“There are several unnamed hills that are overlooked, but perfect for trekking. These spots are brimming with hidden wonders,” he suggests.
J Sethuraman, owner of Travelxs Pvt Ltd, recipient of prestigious awards from the Government of Tamil Nadu, believes in enhancing the tourist experience beyond mere sightseeing. He prefers to delve into local markets to offer a sensory immersion into the heart of each locale. All this, while also supporting local vendors with employment opportunities.
“It’s about providing a holistic, immersive journey. I don’t follow the crowd. Experience matters,” he states.
In 2020, the Union Ministry of Tourism launched Dekho Apana Desh, an initiative aimed to showcase India’s cultural richness. It announced development of fifty tourist destinations. Asoka notes that tourists have taken the word ‘travel’ quite too literally.
“While the scheme is commendable, it’s crucial to focus on lesser-known gems like Mandagapattu cave temple, Kalugumalai or Sittannavasal,” he suggests. “Destinations like Keezhadi Museum deserve more recognition,” he adds.
Visiting Keezhadi 3 yrs ago, I spoke of the need to protect this archaeological site that establishes antiquity of Tamil civilisation. Today, Hon’ble CM @mkstalin inaugurated the Keezhadi museum to safeguard 2500yr old artefacts, a vital step in preserving our historic identity. pic.twitter.com/SzUNrHOB3W
— Dr P Thiaga Rajan (PTR) (@ptrmadurai) March 5, 2023
Hande highlights the role of travel bloggers. He advocates for authenticity over hype, encouraging exploration of hidden treasures without setting unrealistic expectations. “Perfect weather and deserted spots aren’t always guaranteed,” he asserts.
Amid finite resources and capacities, the continuous influx of tourists places significant strain on the ecosystems surrounding popular destinations.
Recently, Eshwar Khandre, Minister of Forest, Ecology, and Environment of Karnataka, took a proactive step by visiting Kumara Parvatha in response to the concerns raised by environmentalists regarding the escalating number of trekkers.
Not only did he instruct officials to initiate online booking for trekking, but he also briefed on the importance of providing essential amenities such as drinking water to trekkers.
Additionally, he called upon individuals to refrain from using single-use plastics, recognising their harmful impact on the environment.
Hande advocates for similar measures to be implemented across more destinations. “In Sakleshpur, locals have resorted to digging trenches, impeding easy access to viewpoints. This discourages visitors who prefer driving or lack the time and energy for extensive treks,” he points out.
#14 Must-do treks in #Karnataka: Ombattu Gudda in Sakleshpur is as one of the most well kept secret in Western Ghats pic.twitter.com/SnkFRXQZXh
— RCB (@WeAreBangalore) October 31, 2015
Quoting a couple of measures taken by some foreign countries, Hande adds, “Venice has started imposing daily taxes on visitors. Thailand banned entry to Maya Bay for years to let nature recover. We have a long road ahead.”
Despite environmental deterioration, local vendors and businesses thrive during peak seasons. Waste management emerges as another significant challenge. The tourism boom has resulted in the unregulated proliferation of eateries, generating substantial amounts of both wet and dry waste, rues Sharmila Devadoss, President of Friends of Heritage Sites (FOHS).
Reflecting on the challenges faced, Deepak Kant Gir, founder of Hyderabad Heritage Trust, laments, “Whether it’s ancient sites, ecological wonders, or natural beauty, the fragile ecology is under threat”.
Tourists and devotees at UNESCO Heritage site Ramappa temple in Telangana. (iStock)
Gir highlights concerns such as the harmful practice of feeding monkeys on the way to Srisailam temple and the hasty construction of toilets around Ramappa temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Hyderabad boasts a rich architectural history. It’s common sense to treat the age-old buildings with respect. We must take pride in our heritage instead of neglecting it,” he insists.
Asoka warns against compromising the quality of offerings and the potential loss of international tourists if this trend continues. “Let’s exercise restraint and acknowledge the depletion of our resources,” he urges.
But with great power comes great responsibility, as seen in Tamil Nadu’s top position in domestic tourist visits, according to the 63rd edition of the Indian Tourism Statistics Report.
The state actively promotes a diverse array of tourism offerings, including eco-tourism, wellness tourism, beach tourism, wildlife tourism, and rural tourism, alongside its rich cultural heritage and traditions.
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The high inflow of tourists poses both challenges and opportunities for conservation and preservation; particularly to heritage sites.
Devadoss sheds light on the dual impact of tourism on heritage sites and the risks posed by the rush to visit multiple attractions within a limited timeframe, citing increased foot traffic that accelerates wear and tear on delicate surfaces.
“Tourists often climb structures to take photos, unaware of the potential damage they cause to these priceless treasures,” she comments, pointing to vandalism as another significant issue.
Certain archaeological sites and artifacts are particularly vulnerable to damage from overcrowding, with delicate painted surfaces being especially at risk. Akshatha A, Research Associate at Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology and FoHS member, notes the susceptibility of paintings in Sittanavasal to degradation caused by oils, dirt, and moisture from large crowds.
Sittanavasal Cave is a medieval Jain monastery, engraved and painted with fragments of Jain thoughts and ideas. #TamilNadu #IncredibleIndia pic.twitter.com/HO6k0FKXXW
— Incredible!ndia (@incredibleindia) August 14, 2017
Gir urges the importance of sensitising people. “It’s a losing battle to people who are committed to preserving monuments otherwise. There must be a dedicated policy formulated by the government to address the tourism woes. Budget must be allocated and accountability is important.”
Stakeholders unanimously stress the need to shift focus towards managing tourist numbers through timed entry systems. Implementing smart ticketing, online booking and reservation systems can regulate visitor numbers effectively.
“Like at the Taj Mahal, the number of tourists per day must be restricted at all destinations. We must invest in quantitative tourism research to predict and analyse the behaviour of tourists for the greater good,” urges Asoka.
Investing in staff training to educate visitors on responsible behaviour, enforcing strict regulations against vandalism, and partnering with local communities to share responsibility for cultural heritage are essential steps, suggests Devadoss.
Crafting an unforgettable tourist experience demands a holistic approach, according to Sethuraman.
He emphasises the importance of a unified mindset among local authorities, residents, and governmental bodies, all centered on prioritising guest satisfaction.
“Too often, the administration, typically overseen by local panchayats, like at Mahabalipuram, prioritises resident amenities over the needs of tourists. There’s a prevailing perception that tourists are a burden rather than an opportunity. We must remember that every small measure we take will have an impact,” Sethuraman observes.
He urges the administration to redirect its focus towards ensuring clear pathways, designated pedestrian zones, and meticulous management of parking, traffic flow, and directional signage.
Leading by example, Dr Manoj Kumar Kini, Managing Director of Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited, underscores the strategic shift embodied in Kerala Tourism 2.0.
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He highlights how the state budget now prioritises the enhancement of already popular destinations into world-class tourism hubs for experiential travel. Moreover, responsible tourism and eco-tourism initiatives have received significant attention.
A distinctive aspect of this new tourism strategy is the delineation of seven tourism corridors, including coastal networks, waterways, canals, national highways, heli-tourism routes, hill highways, and railway routes. These projects will be developed concurrently with infrastructure enhancement endeavours across the state.
“We need the structure plan, calculate the infrastructure required, and vehicle movement. Based on that, we will be able to maneuver the entire movement of tourists within the system. We can optimise the usage of the destination, control, and regularise the whole thing based on sustainable development,” he notes.
Looking ahead, investing in cutting-edge monitoring technologies emerges as a crucial strategy for addressing tourism challenges. “By deploying CCTVs to identify and penalise littering offenders, we can deter such behaviour effectively,” suggests Hande.
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Furthermore, providing accessible online information, such as water levels at waterfalls and crowd status, empowers tourists to plan efficiently and avoid disappointments at overcrowded or closed destinations, he adds.
Devadoss believes that innovative approaches, including Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences, offer immersive alternatives for exploring sites virtually, thus alleviating physical foot traffic.
Additionally, advanced monitoring systems like sensors and drones provide real-time data on crowd density, enabling proactive management strategies.
In the grand scheme of things, the responsibility for safeguarding tourist destinations rests squarely on the shoulders of citizens, as they are the bedrock of preservation efforts.
“Starting from schools, it’s imperative to educate children about our national heritage and the importance of conserving these sites, whether they reside in villages, towns, or cities. Unfortunately, many fail to recognise the significance of these places and the urgent need for protection. This indifference must change,” asserts Gir.
Asoka echoes this sentiment, pleading, “Our ancestors painstakingly built these monuments, leaving them as legacies for future generations. To neglect them today is to deprive the future of their cultural richness. Preserving our heritage is the least we can do for posterity.”
