Greenwash and bluewash and all at the same time, note the use of "eco" and "responsible" tourism

Himalayan ski village, India

While interning for EQUATIONS which is a "research, campaign and advocacy organisation that study the social, cultural, economic and environmental impact of tourism on host communitie" I came across this case study that highlights corporate and state violations of people´s human right such as the right to a livelihood, right to land, right to water etc. fundamental elements of any sustainable approach to tourism development (see tourism concerns report "Putting Tourism to Rights" www.tourismconcern.org.uk)

It is a good case study to read for anyone that wonders about the abuse of words such as "ecotourism", "responsible tourism", "sustainable tourism" and how these concepts are merely used as a marketing ploy.

EQUATIONS believe that tourism should be non-exploitative, equitable and sustainable. A question that has been central to EQUATIONS work and directs much of it is ‘Who Really Benefits from Tourism?’

This is what the corporation writes on its home page: http://www.himalayanskivillage.com/index.htm

Vision

"Set new social and environmental standards for 21st century responsible tourism."

Mission

"Build prosperity through sustainable tourism in the Himalaya."

Himalayan Ski Village is a proposed eco-friendly mixed-use resort community, providing ski slopes and other mountain sports facilities in the Himalayan region. The Project, developed by Himalayan Ski Village Private Limited involves development of hospitality, vacation homes and entertainment facilities of a world class standard on 115 acres of land in the hilly terrains of the Kullu Valley...

The Project will be developed at the Northern end of the Kullu Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh, with the various facilities located at heights between 7,500 and 14,000 feet above sea level. The Project targets the domestic tourists of India, as well as international visitors from the U.S., Europe, Japan, Korea, Australia Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The Project involves the development of 700 Hotel rooms, restaurants along with an 'Indian Village' shopping experience; a 20,000 sq ft convention facility and a high end spa; and an entertainment/performing arts center."

How does that sound to you? Good? Well, responsible, sustainable, eco-friendly...well, what are we to believe...

EQUATIONS fact finding report reveals human rights violations...

"Kullu, Himachal Pradesh In Himachal Pradesh, situated in the Himalayan ranges in North India, the government under the advice of the State Planning Commission, removed a provision in the land policy which restricted buying and selling of property by non- Himachalis. This opened the way for massive private and foreign investment in the tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh. Despite local resistance, land is being acquired either by the government on behalf of private investors or through benami (transactions made falsely or not in any specific name) for the construction of tourism projects ranging from ski resorts to entertainment zones.

The result has been an assault on the natural resources on which local communities depend for their livelihoods.16 Much of this development is being done under the banner of ecotourism. In 2005, the State Forest Department adopted an ecotourism policy with the aim of making Himachal Pradesh India’s leading ecotourism destination by 2010."

Read what EQUATIONS fact finding report has revealed and see how the use of these words are merely a marketing ploy and an offense for any tourism entrepenur that is actually trying to live up to the content of these words.

Impacts Of The Proposed Himalayan Ski Village Project In Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
EQUATIONS March 08, 2008
http://www.equitabletourism.org/stage/readfull.php?AID=399

and

Tourism in India
Role in Conflict and Peace
EQUATIONS
12 June 2009
http://www.equitabletourism.org/stage/files/fileDocuments539_uid11.pdf