Tourism Concern launches human rights map

Human rights abuses linked to the tourism industry in South India can now be investigated via a Google interactive map on Tourism Concern’s website http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/tourismwatch-southindia

Launched by Tourism Concern in collaboration with Indian NGO Kabani, the map reports a range of coastal issues in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu along with photos, videos and press articles. This pioneering map is the next step in the promotion of ethical tourism: it not only informs the public about challenges faced by communities in holiday destinations, it also suggests concrete actions to help ensure tourism’s positive impacts are maximized and its harmful effects reduced.

The map also will provide data to governments and civil society organisations. It can be accessed by anybody wishing to report an issue that they’ve witnessed, providing the source can be validated.

"In South India we have witnessed a range of issues related to the actions of the tourism industry" says Peter Bishop, Tourism Concern1’s Project Manager in charge of the Empowering Coastal Communities2 campaign. "The most common is displacement of populations to make room for large scale tourism development, but tourism-related problems such as water shortages, corruption and environmental destruction also occur all too frequently."

The interactive map launched today uses a Google view of India and displays reports of human rights abuses in specific towns, villages or tourists spots. Each report describes an issue, outlines any actions being taken to tackle it and whether those actions have been successful or are still ongoing.

The site also displays the source of the reports, such as press articles, photos or videos supporting the claim. The map is searchable both by category of issue and geographical location. Anyone can subscribe to a RSS feed and receive new reports as they’re added.

The website also points to concrete steps that the public, travellers, tourism industry professionals or civil society organisations can take to address the issues. A related blog follows Tourism Concern volunteer Veronique Meunier as she recounts her exploration of the tourism interface in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, offering a personal view of what she witnessed there.

These dispatches give broader aspects of ethical travels, and offer advice that can be applied in tourism destinations around the world: http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/dispatches.html

The Empowering Coastal Communities campaign is provides skills training and workshops for local community representatives, including women’s groups, fish workers unions and local government, while advocating for more sustainable, fair and inclusive approaches to tourism.

"This campaign has already benefited thousands of individuals along this coastline… by raising awareness both of issues and of communities’ rights in dealing with them, by successfully campaigning against potentially disastrous developments, and by seeking redress for people already adversely affected",says Sumesh Mangalassery, Kabani3’s Director. "This map enables us to spread the message to an international audience and will help generate pressure for policy change, not only in India, but also in other destinations affected by similar issues."

This year, rights awareness amongst the communities will be greatly enhanced with the release of a full-length documentary film (April-May). The film will be shown throughout India and the UK and will be used to promote the interactive map.

Tourism Concern’s interactive map awaits your experiences. Members of the media are also welcome to share past articles on the topic.

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2012 Special Offers HERE