Tourism, Risk Management, Sustainability options, the India Story

Abstract

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, within hours in some cases brought sorrow to many countries, India too suffered with Tamil Nadu reporting damage and deaths in Chennai, Velankanni, Cuddalore, Kaniyakumari, Poompuhar, and Nagapattinam to mention a few. It was the year end, and many were traveling to various places to spend time with family and friends in tourist centers. The reported deaths were 8000. All places of tourism of various hues. In 2013, the sudden rapid melting of ice and snow on the Kedarnath Mountain which in turn flooded Chorabari Lake upstream and eruption of the Mandakini River inundated the Pilgrimage town of Kedarnath, catching the pilgrims with surprise and the others who were unaware of the impending disaster downstream. The reported deaths were 5000. The heart of Pilgrimage tourism for the devout. ‘Gods own Country,’ Kerala in 2018 had to declare red alert in all its 14 districts, more than a million souls had to be evacuated from Chengannur, Aranmula, Kozhencherry, Ayiroor, Ranni, Pandalam, Kuttanad, Malappuram, Aluva, Chalakudy, Thrissur, Thiruvalla, Chellanam, Vypin Island, Palakkad, the list is endless; More than 490 were reported dead, 15 missing. The severe floods, due to high rainfall, land-slides which made small villages and towns disappear; was scary. Kerala is a known tourism hub. Whether it is tourism or ecotourism, one question asked, are we prepared for any Disaster that may occur at any point in time? Are the Destination Management Organizations prepared to face any eventuality. The research paper is a work in progress and makes an effort to answer questions from across India through case studies, if the Tourism system indeed is ready to face disasters.