Economic Policies

Tourism in India

- Lessons for Domestic Regulation and GATS

Research Papers and Case Studies
This paper compiles cases from India on domestic regulatory provisions on tourism enacted by different levels of government (national, state and local). Using the cases of the Goa Children’s Act 2003, Kerala Tourism Act 2005, Kumarakom People’s Charter on Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism and Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, this paper illustrates the rules under General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) that will overrule these important domestic regulations. Many such domestic regulations have been fought for by civil society, people and local governments to safeguard the needs and rights of the local communities, protect vulnerable groups from exploitation, protect the environment from over-exploitation, prevent exploitation of resources and workers, etc. But the rules under GATS will overrule such domestic regulatory provisions by calling them barriers to trade. This paper demonstrates how the application of GATS is a serious negation of decentralisation and democratic decision-making in our country.
Geographies
India

EQUATIONS is a research, policy, and advocacy organisation working on tourism and development issues in India. Our work has focused on the economic, environmental, social, cultural, political and administrative impacts of tourism particularly on people living in and around tourism destinations. We collaborate closely with organisations and peoples movements, to influence people-centered forms of tourism & policies that ensure significant local benefits and take into account the negative impacts of an unbridled growth of tourism.

 

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