The Indian wildlife tourism sector has boomed over the last few years, with many positive benefits to local communities and the Tiger parks themselves.
However, as the sector expands at a rapid rate it also has many downsides, with stiff competition, new rules, greater enforcement and carrying capacities issues to confront. It also means greater demands from your visitors, expanding expectations, and more accountability from industry bodies, the consumer and the media.
The sector is rapidly coming under greater scrutiny by the Indian Governments, the global and local media and advocacy from the NGO sector, as well as the global issues of Climate change, environmental degradation, and collapsing biodiversity. In India, the sector has even be accused of ‘killing tigers’, blocking corridors, offering poor local employment opportunities, poor planning and training and a lack of law abiding.
TOFT believes good quality, well conceived, well planned and responsibly derived tourism can save India’s forests – and therefore its wildlife - but the industry needs to ensure this happens. The wildlife tourism sector needs to operate its businesses to the high standards of economical, environmental and social practices. International visitors now demand it and increasingly Indian visitors do too – and the Government will soon enforce it.
Joining TOFT and undertaking the PUG Audit will give you the edge in your business;
In enhanced marketing opportunities and networks through the TOFT website, events and TOFT Wildlife Tourism Award programme
Saving costs through better, more considered and considerate operating practices
Enriching your visitors’ experiences, and helping satisfy their expectations
Helps lessen or mitigating your many business risks - including competition, regulation, consumer demands etc
Offering funding sources to develop cooperative projects that benefit conservation and community enterprise.