Recently, a plan to open beach shacks in Puri had kicked off a row. The tourism plan was heavily opposed by the religious leaders and by a few local CSOs on the ground of religious sanctity and moral behaviour. The protests finally led to the Government of Odisha dropping the beach shacks project. The entire episode showed that religious places, its sanctity and religious sentiments have an intransigent impact on tourism. There are two schools of thought which decipher the impact of tourism in religious places. One school of thought sees tourism in religious places as an economic booster.
It further describes tourism as a way to generate jobs and promote local tradition, art and culture. Some scholars of this school of thought say tourism in religious places brings social cohesiveness and reflects a new image of society.
Another school of thought analyses the negative socio–cultural impact of tourism in religious places. It says tourism destroys religious purity and its traditional life style.The societal and moral values of local culture may be compromised. Crimes and anti-social activities may increase due to foreigners’ involvement. Bad habits and consumption of illegal drugs may spike up. And finally the religious places convert into an enjoyment zones. The tussle between tradition and modernity has been continuing and it has been affecting our society in every possible way. So tourism is not an exception.
A study by Georgetown University and Brigham Young University reveals that freedom from orthodox belief is one of the key determinants to enhance economic growth. Further, the study says less traditional outlook leads to more innovations and helps to achieve an apt GDP.
Religious or spiritual restrictions in a particular place may provoke young entrepreneurs to invest their talents and resources elsewhere. Both hospitality and tourism sectors have suffered a lot due to the pandemic. And, it is also a fact that it is not showing any good sign to recover. Tourism sector all across the globe is coming out with many innovative ways to attract visitors. The Governments, experts and industries have worked in a collaborative way to recalibrate the tourism sector urgently. The reason behind this is the magnitude and coverage of tourism on economy.
Let’s come out of this theoretical part. A report titled ‘Travel and Tourism Economic Impact-2021’ by the World Travel and Tourism Council, published in June, emphasises two important things such as impact of travel tourism on GDP and employment and effect of Covid-19 on travel and tourism sector.
It is to reveal by the WTTC report that travel and tourism was one of the world’s largest sectors in 2019 accounting for 10.4per cent of global GDP and 10.6per cent of all jobs. As far as new job was concerned, the travel and tourism sector was responsible for creating one in four of all new jobs across the world during 2014- 2019. Due to Covid 19 and its restrictions on travel, the tourism industry has been tremendously affected. As a result, the global contribution to GDP dropped to 5.5per cent in 2020.
As far as women job participation is concerned, 54per cent of women are in travel and tourism sector worldwide. Further, this is the only sector which accommodates almost twice as many women employers as other sectors. Due to the pandemic imposed economic fallout, 62 million jobs were lost in 2020 in the tourism sector only. In India, travel and tourism had been contributing to the GDP, but due to prevailing pandemic, its contribution has been declining. In 2020, total travel tourism contribution to GDP was 121.9 billion USD compared to 191.3 billion USD in 2019. Due to travel closure during pandemic, the contribution towards GDP has fallen.
Restrictions on domestic and international travels have made the situation more precarious. The flow of domestic and international tourists is less in number. For example, in 2019 domestic visitors spending in India was 140.1 9 billion in USD whereas in 2020, it was only 97.1 9 billion in USD.
As far as international visitors spending in India is concerned, in 2019 it was 30.8 9 billion in USD as compared to 12 9 billion in USD in 2020. The sector is in a vicious circle of economic loss, unemployment and low flow of money. The Governments across the world are trying to boost travel and tourism sector and save millions of jobs. The Odisha Government has been working with many alternatives and possibilities to galvanise the travel and tourism sector such as introducing Eco Retreat, Cruise Boat, Beach Shack, and ecotourism and water tourism. In order to popularise Odia cuisine, “Nimantran,” a chain of hotels by OTDC is planned to open after pandemic.
The Odisha Government is working to invite potential national and international investors for investment in the travel and tourism sector. Local youths are targeted to get employment in the sector. Many women Self Help Groups are also roped in to create start-ups in hospitality industry. However, tourism in religious places needs a special attention and must be meticulously handled. The places like Puri which has a deep religious importance with socio cultural ingredients should be treated carefully. Sanctity of religious places must be maintained. But for overall development of any place which is basically a religious tourist place, we need a cycle of interaction and interrelation between Governments, local communities and foreign visitors.
Tourism plans and policies must be balanced with respect to atavistic belief in ancient culture and natural resource. We also need to think of local employment, local hoteliers and local trades. A partnership with local communities should be promoted if we need an economic recovery.
(Dr Parida is an Assistant Professor in Sociology, abash.parida@gmail.com)