ECO-RURAL TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Tourism is currently the world’s largest industry and eco-tourism represents the fastest growing sector of this market. Well-planned eco-tourism can benefit both the protected areas and the residents of the surrounding communities by linking long-term biodiversity conservation with local, social and economic development. Since this will probably interest the readers, we give in Tables 1 and 2 some overall information on India’s share in the tourism industry, while Table 3 shows the trends regarding tourism in Kerala over the years 2000-2003. Let us therefore reflect on eco-rural tourism and sustainable development, with a special reference to Kerala. Eco-Tourism The term eco-tourism was coined by Hector Ceballos-Lascurain in 1983 and was initially used to describe nature-based travel to relatively undisturbed areas with an emphasis on education. The concept has developed into a scientifically-based approach to sustainable tourism. Eco-tourism is an enlightening and participatory travel experience to natural and cultural environments, which is beneficial to all tourism role players. Eco-tourism may be defined as the ability of human beings to utilise the natural resources for the promotion of tourism without being destructive to the ecosystem. Eco-tourism minimises the ecological impact of modern-day tourism. It is travel with environmental sensitivity, and it is sustainable tourism. It focuses on local cultures, wildernes