Indo-Bhutan International Conference On Gross National Happiness Pages: 159-165

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Role of Tour Operators in Sustainable Tourism Development in Bhutan

Umesh N. Jadhav1, Achintya Mahapatra2, Pawan Kumar Sharma3 1 Sr. Lecturer, Royal University of Bhutan (GCBS)Gedu, Chukha, Bhutan. 2 Sr. Lecturer, Department of Business Studies (Tourism), Royal University of Bhutan (G.C.B.S), At / Po: Gedu, Chukha, Bhutan, Qtr. No. D-3, RUB Gedu Campus. 3 Associate Professor, Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, University of Delhi, Presently on deputation under Colombo Plan, MEA, Govt. of India to Royal University of Bhutan (GCBS) 1 jumeshin@gmail.com, 2achintyamahapatra @gmail.com, 3drpawankumar1958@rediffmail.com For those who wish to help make a difference in the world, there are great options for adventure and relaxation all while helping a developing countrys economic growth in a sustainable and eco-friendly fashion., Nicola Winter. Sustainable tourism development implies that tourism activities are in consonance with the needs of both present and future. Sustainable tourism development is defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs. The general goal of sustainable development is to meet the basic needs of society and extend the opportunity for higher quality of life. Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of the present tourist and the host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management of all the resources in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems. Sustainable tourism development needs to be more adequately addressed and promoted for long term viability. It is strategy of sustained growth. Tourism policy of the Royal Government of Bhutan: Bhutan follows tourism policy of High value, low impact. National policy of Bhutan also provides for that 60% of its land must have forest cover for all time to come. Not only this but many mountains and peaks in Bhutan are International Journal of Business Intelligents (IJBI) www.ijbui.com prohibited for trekking. Bhutans tourism was privatized in 1991to promote culturally and environmentally sustainable tourism. No independent travel is allowed in Bhutan, meaning that all travel must be pre-arranged through an all inclusive tour operator. Tourism is the largest generator of hard currency, and Bhutans tourism policy is an essential part of its sustainable economic growth. Today it is a business with nearly 450 private tour operators approved by Tourism Council of Bhutan(TCB). The government policy framework envisages that planning decisions should be taken at local level. Community based tourism should be promoted with the aim of strengthening local economy. Bhutans tourism depends primarily on the features of the natural environmental and the cultural heritage. This leads to a natural bonding between the tourism sector and all organization and projects bound to protect the environmental and sustain the culture and lifestyle of the people. Tourism should be seen as a main ally in the endeavor to protect nature and preserve culture and tradition. The main objective of the sustainable tourism development policy of Bhutan is to maintain these resources and avoid and/or minimize negative impacts on the environment and cultural heritage. The Royal government of Bhutan follows these guidelines to integrate tourism with environment and cultural sustainability: A.Monitoring Environment and Cultural Heritage: Monitoring necessary steps to minimize the impact on environment, cultural heritage in 159

Indo-Bhutan International Conference On Gross National Happiness Pages: 159-165 tourism development and opening new destinations. 2) Creating environmental, cultural awareness and respective stakeholders, service providers, employees and the general public. 3) Provide positive experience for both visitors and hosts, particularly in the field of new product development. 4) Financial assistance for the conservation of environment and cultural heritage by distributing tourism revenues to respective organizations. 5) Provision of financial benefits and empowerment of local people through enhancing community based models of tourism development. 6) Supporting & adhering international human rights and labor agreements. 7) Provision of training and development facilities. B.Environmental Assessment All new business and product in Bhutan tourism should be subject to an environmental assessment procedure based on international standards. Potential effects on the natural environment and the cultural heritage should be screened by an institutionalized method using expert opinions given in the planning stage of any such development. The assessment should be carried out with a participatory approach allowing all parties to express their concerns and opinions, namely the local population of the area affected by the proposed development and/ or investment. In line with the overall definition of ecotourism relevant for Bhutan, environmental assessment should include a prognosis on the impact of such development and/or investment on the social and cultural environment of the respective region. A positive evaluation resulting from such procedure should be a precondition for all further processes, particularly the licensing of new businesses and/or opening of new areas for tourism development. C.Eco-certification and Eco-audit: A comprehensive system of eco-certification of tourism and tourism related businesses should be introduced and implemented in International Journal of Business Intelligents (IJBI) www.ijbui.com

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Bhutan. It is also an incentive for the stakeholders to ensure high ecological and social standards in their businesses. The Royal government of Bhutan has set guidelines for eco-auditing and introduced a scheme which in a given time will be mandatory for tourism related enterprises beyond a certain minimum size to submit an annual eco-audit report. The main purpose of eco-auditing is to present a sort of balance sheet at the end of every year not only indicating the financial results of a company but also the responsible use of resources and management of waste and emission of all kinds. It will further indicate applying of socially sound employment schemes, gender policies and nondiscrimination. Importance of Stakeholders in Sustainable Tourism Development: Tourism is currently responsible for the largest human migration in the living history of mankind. This staggering movement of the people can have significant negative and positive impacts on nature, society, culture and economy of host country. Mascardo (1999) argues that, Sustainable tourism and recreation are more likely to result from visitors who are active, interested, questioning, and capable of reassessing the way they view the world. This idea presupposes inclusion of all stakeholders. Stakeholders involvement is a critical part of sustainable tourism development. One common theme of sustainable tourism development is having support of stakeholders. Based on the definition of sustainability and sustainable tourism development four distinct stakeholders can be identified: the present visitors, future visitors, present and future host community. The role of tour operator in sustainable tourism development is of utmost importance. A tour operator negotiates with hotels, transportation companies and other service providers and combines these vacation components into a package. This package is then sold to the final consumer as a single product and at single price. The tour operators 160

Indo-Bhutan International Conference On Gross National Happiness Pages: 159-165 have greater role to play than Royal Government of Bhutan and other stakeholders because of their close intimacy with the visitors and can influence the behavioral pattern of the visitors. Keeping the environment intact and sustainable course of action for the development of country would not only help reduce the global concern about environmental impact but also would attract more number of nature loving tourists. Most of the worlds less developed countries (LDCs) are avoided or even overlooked by tourists. However, tourism can make valuable contribution to the economic growth of a country, and many LDCs have amazing tourism products to offer the visitors. The tour operators role as an intermediary between tourist destinations as a catalyst for integrating sustainable practices into their work is very important. The incentive for sustainability becomes the value that these tourism actors create together. As such, the strong business case for sustainability reinforces the benefits of long-term relationship and in building the future of tourism development. For this paper the role of the four major tour operators in Bhutan namely Exotic Bhutan Tours and Treks, All Access Bhutan, Etho Metho Tours and Treks and Authentic Bhutan have been studied as one of the stakeholders of tourism business. Exotic Bhutan Tours and Treks: Exotic Bhutan Tours and Treks are operating in compliance with Bhutan Trekking rules and regulation Act, 1996. This is to achieve sustainable tourism development. It offers detailed, individual itineraries with discounts for students and seniors. The tour company is specialized in small groups and travels in small vans with driver and guide. This means the carrying capacity factor is considered. Here, both carrying capacity and sustainability are closely linked with environment. The tour company specializing in small group is contributing in achieving sustainable tourism development mainly because of the following reason: i) the small tourist groups have International Journal of Business Intelligents (IJBI) www.ijbui.com

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acceptable levels of visual impact and congestion which will have minimum levels of air, water, and noise pollution. ii) small tour groups have the positive impact of which provides optimum overall economic benefits without economic distortions or inflation. iii) small groups of travels have minimum negative impact on socio-cultural factors. iv) small tour groups are easily manageable with inadequate facility of transportation, accommodation, etc. v) small group always gives metal satisfaction, comfort and happiness to the tourist. vi) small tour groups help preservation and promotion of historical and cultural heritage. vii) this tour operator is facilitating generation of more employment compared with other operators in Bhutan. viii) its inclusion of eco-tourism activities and other tour programs all over Bhutan is helping equal regional development from the community point of view and in sustainable tourism development. ix) various cultural tours are also offered from western land to the eastern land that brings socio-economic benefit to the local community. West to east cultural festival tours can benefits hoteliers and local community in eastern part of Bhutan. All Access Bhutan: All Access Bhutan have a well formulated plan and strategy to ensure sustainable tourism development while at the same time providing exhilarating and professionally planned and coordinated tours and treks. The products that they offer to visitors are the result of the consultation with the government taking into the sustainable factor of each product they offer. It has developed a charter for their guides and also trains their staff as a means to build awareness on their role as liaison to travelers on environmental problems, economic impacts of group in a given area. Financial resources generated by tourism and their role in preserving local species and heritage, local, social, economic development and appropriate and sustainable environmental and social practices. Their guide staff have also attended workshop conducted by TCB in 161

Indo-Bhutan International Conference On Gross National Happiness Pages: 159-165 Paro on Sustainability. The following points present the main guiding principles of All Access Bhutan for implementing sustainable tourism development: i) it is committed to reduce paper waste to the lowest possible by using alternative communication and marketing management. ii) it ensures that their tourists do not have extra guide books. iii) it offers various tour products like cultural, religious, festival and textile etc of varying periods. iv) it also offers nature based tours like trekking, bird watching, mountain biking, botanical tours and photography. v) guides or staff training aimed at providing better services to the visitors and ensuring sustainability. Measures taken during Trekking: (i) simple camps to ensure sustainable environmental practice, (ii)it does not allow hunting but supports photography safaris, (iii) provides direct and indirect benefits to the local communities and conservation projects (iv) ensures safe disposal of the garbage after their treks (v) limits the group size or divides large group into smaller ones while visiting protected areas. (vi) visitors are advised by the guides to maintain distance from wildlife while visiting national parks and sanctuaries. (vii) use of gas (LPG) while on trek (viii) taking alternative route of trek to avoid areas that are under excessive pressure. (ix) putting off the fire before departure of the group. (x) encouraging clients to visit shops and restaurant in nearby towns (xi) maximizing the use of local food and produce by arranging hotel menu consisting of local dishes. (xii) hiring more local guides to provide better experience and support to local communities (xiii) purchasing souvenirs, local products and services. Measures taken during cultural tours: (i) providing an information booklet, (ii) visiting the religious sites with dignity and respect (iii) observe proper etiquettes International Journal of Business Intelligents (IJBI) www.ijbui.com

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(iv) not allowing tourists take photos in the restricted areas like museums (v) obtain prior permission for photographing people, home and other sites of local importance. (vi) interact with local residents in culturally appropriate manner. Handbook for the Travelers for Ensuring Sustainability: To minimize the environmental impacts of its tours and improve the experience of its customers the company has developed a handbook for travelers providing the following information: (i) guidelines and practical information for appropriate behavior, supplementary reading on the environmental issue in the region. (ii) select camps and lodges in national parks that are committed to sustainable practices and apply sensible approach to tourism, conservation and local community involvement. (iii) it always offers the guide accompanied tours so that the clients can be counseled while travelling. Etho Metho Tours and Treks: Etho Metho Tours and Treks, is one of the largest, oldest and most experienced tour operator in Bhutan. As per Etho Metho, the tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability meaning thereby that tourism must be environment and ecology friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and also economically viable. For this reason, tourism should be carefully monitored and the number of tourists visiting Bhutan is kept to an environmentally manageable level. Measures taken while on Excursion for Socio-cultural Sustainability: i) the tourists are asked to dress neatly and modestly with covered arms and no shorts and shirts are allowed and they are not allowed to wear hats in the Dzongs and religious complexes. The tourists are not allowed to smoke. They have to walk clock wise around chortens (stupas) and Mani (prayer) walls. The tourists are not allowed to step over any 162

Indo-Bhutan International Conference On Gross National Happiness Pages: 159-165 flagpole on the ground waiting to be erected. (ii) the buying and selling of the antiques are strictly prohibited in Bhutan. So if the tourist wants to buy anything, Etho Metho takes them on shopping spree of hand-woven textile, carved masks, woven baskets, paper products and crafted metal objects. (iii) it employs local guides only, and has created the community trust which funds local community development initiatives, and prompts the development of sustainable tourism in the areas of their operation. (iv) it limits each group to 15 people to minimize the negative impact on the environment and local culture. Measures adopted for promoting sustainable and environmentally sound tourism practices: i) burying all the biodegradable garbage and proper disposal of waste. ii) promotion of organic farming and use of natural packaging materials. iii) while travelling the tour guides and staffs are required to carry gas stove in order to protect wood meant for the local people. iv) avoid repeated use of paths and feeder road to reduce trampling of that path v) to observe proper etiquettes and strictly follow local traditions. In a nut shell, Etho Metho Tours and Treks is following the four pillars of GNH in letter and spirit. Authentic Bhutan Tours and Treks: Authentic Bhutan Tour is the leading tour service provider of Bhutan. It is concerned about sustainable cultural tourism which affects many groups, such as tourists, local population, museums, archaeological sites, landscapes, tour agents and authorities. It is encouraging travelers to be aware of the impact of tourism on the host economy however they also need to understand how certain tourist expeditions and attitudes of visitors can threaten land and nature management, in addition to causing potential changes in the behavior of the populations visited. Enjoy, not destroy should be the ultimate aim of all those involved in tourism. As per Authentic Bhutan Tour that, organizing meditation tour is easier because it leads International Journal of Business Intelligents (IJBI) www.ijbui.com

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tourists to the holy palaces and to the great Lamas. Moreover, Bhutans very special and pristine surrounding makes for a very conducive environment for meditation. Also, Bhutan is home to some of the most revered Buddhist sites in the Himalayas and the country is blessed by many high Lamas with an invaluable spiritual legacy. These make Bhutan a very favorable place for the meditation and hence in pursuing ones own philosophy of GNH in spiritual way. It has integrated the sustainable tourism development practices in its internal management, such as: i) it is enthusiastic to reduce waste creation either by own staff or by tourists. ii) it reuses the plastic bottles and ensures that paper wastes are properly dumped in the pits. iii) tourists are advised to carry waste in their bags if dustbins are not available iv) tour product designed is in keeping with the Govt. policy taking into account the sustainability factor. v) it briefs the tourists about environmental and social norms and behavior. vi) it ensures that tourists are not mingling with Bhutanese girls especially during festivals to discourage sex tourism. Measure aimed at Sustainable Tourism Development in Trekking: i) it does not allow slaughtering the wild animals while trekking. ii) it favors camping on ground rather than in the forests so that small trees are not cut down. iii) while on the trek, trekkers are allowed to use only dry woods for camp and firewood. iv) supports photograph safaris but does not allow hunting v) ensures that waste materials are removed from camp site and disposed off. vi) to minimize environmental impact takes only 3 to 5 tourists in a group. vii)the visitors are advised to maintain silence in the animal, species area and keep distance from the Wildlife Park and sanctuary. viii) visitors are allowed to make camp fire without damaging green trees but they should ensure putting off fire before their departure. 163

Indo-Bhutan International Conference On Gross National Happiness Pages: 159-165 ix) keep on changing the routes so as to reduce pressure on the same route. x) tourists can visit Dzongs and museums but not allowed to purchase the statues and sacred things. Measures taken during Textile Tours: It takes tourists to the eastern part of the country like Lhuentse Khoma, Trashigang, Radi and Bhumthang in central part of the country famous textile centre of the Himalayan nation. One can see women weaving Kishu Thara (Expensive Kira) in Khoma and Aikarpo in Radi. Apart from the textiles, one can also visit the school of Zorgi Chusum (Thirteen Art and Crafts). The Bhutanese textiles are rich, vibrant, colorful and a complex art and form an integral part of Bhutanese culture. The Bhutanese textiles are integrated into all aspects of life in Bhutan - reflects the countrys distinctive identity. It ensures that tourists stay in Bhutan is one of the most memorable and special trip in their life and which may encourage tourist to re-visit Bhutan. i) Encourages tourists to buy textile products for augmenting the incomes of local people to have sustainable development of textile production. ii) take permission for the photographs of textile products iii) encourages mutual understanding and good relation with tourists and locals. iv) visitors are asked to maintain proper discipline at weaving centre. v) encourage young people to participate in weaving of textile. Measures taken during cultural tour: Every district in Bhutan organizes annual cultural festivals known as Tschechus, in the honor of Guru Padmasambhava who propagated Buddhism in Bhutan. The event is marked by colorful and well choreographed mask dances depicting various facets of the Buddhist teachings. Tschechus are also an occasion of social gathering for the Bhutanese families. The people come dressed in their International Journal of Business Intelligents (IJBI) www.ijbui.com

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finest for the very special occasion. Women wear their most beautiful jewelry; families pack their best food for lunch, men and women joke and exchange tales. Authentic Bhutan Tour encourages tourists to be in the Bhutanese dress in the festivals and Tsechus and translates all the events of Tschechus. It also ensures that tourists avoid smoking, drugs and other unwanted business. It is also assisting commercial filming for which separate royalty have to borne by the tourists. This will have positive impact on sustainable tourism. It ensures that there is no disturbance on the bird species and ecosystem. Tourists are not allowed to shout in these areas. Authentic Bhutan Tour is shares a greater responsibility in preservation of natural heritage and maintain green environment of Bhutan. Conclusion: The government alone cannot maintain tourism for a longer period. Tour operators are one of the most important implementing arms of the government policies regarding sustainable tourism development. Therefore, they should develop and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding all types of tours e.g., cultural tours, natural tours, trekking, mountaineering, biking, festival tours, textile tours, photography tours, etc. to ensure least damage to the environmental, cultural, social and economical factors. Human migration threatens socio-cultural change and behavioral pattern of a society. Therefore, there is an urgent need of public awareness campaigns to manage migration which is caused due to attractions of tourists from various parts of the world. This should be supplemented by balanced regional development of all the regions in the country. The guidelines of Gross National Happiness should be adhered to strictly while designing tourism products. Tour operators should focus on development pattern of destinations in such a way which causes least damage to the environment and culture of Bhutan.

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Indo-Bhutan International Conference On Gross National Happiness Pages: 159-165 References: [1] Tandi Dorji, Sustainability of Tourism, Communication officer, National Environment Commission, Thimphu [2] Planning Commission Secretariat (1999). Bhutan 2020: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity, Happiness, Thimphu: Royal Government of Bhutan. [3] Roger Doswell (-). The Development of Tourism in Bhutan: A Discussion Paper, World Tourism rganization and the United Nations Development Program, Thimphu [4] USEPA, WWF, UNEP, SEDESOL, VROM (1995). The Netherlands: Tourism Support Package. [5] Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (1993). "Management of Sustainable Tourism Development", ESCAP Tourism Review No.11.

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[6] Edward Inskipp (1992). "Sustainable Tourism Development in the Maldives and Bhutan", UNEP Industry and Envirnment, vol15, no. 3-4, July-December 1992. [7] Katrin Brandon (1996). Ecotourism and Conservation: A Review of KeyIssues, The World Bank, April 1996. [8] Ministry of Agriculture (1998). Biodiversity Action Plan for Bhutan, Thimphu: Royal Government of Bhutan. [9] National Environment Commission (1998). "Bhutan: Ecotourism Management Plan For Jigme Dorji National Park" in The Middle Path: National Environmental Strategy for Bhutan, Thimphu: Royal Government of Bhutan. Nature Conservation Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government 1998.

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