Mountaineering Tourism : Future Revival Plan

-
Mountaineering Tourism : Future Revival Plan...





Chiranjib kumar(PhD)*,
*www.ckihmt.com

Abstract

Corona (Covid19) pandemic has posed a big challenge on mountaineering tourism operators. The present article focuses on the various dimensions and revival plan for the mountaineering tourism in wider aspect to grab upcoming opportunities from the market. Mountaineering tourism need to be expanded to mountain tourism beyond the image of adventure tourism only.

Key words: Covid19, Mountain tourism, Revival, Tour Operator


1. Introduction

Mountaineering tourism has been emerged as one of the eco-friendly tourism product in the world. But to retain its potential to attract different types of tourists, Destination Management Organisations (DMO) need to explore taped and untapped tourism resources. Tourism has been a worst hit sector after Corona(Covid19) outbreak. 
The corona(Covid19)  pandemic has turned tourism into new dimension which is going to open the doors of new opportunities for tour operators and tourists. People will take lessons from such pandemic and would plan their tourism destination on the basis of availability of health safety, natural attractions, wildlife and organic food items as well as distance from home. The unexpected decrease in annual family income due to economy slowdown; job insecurity, health hazards and safety; and other contingency will affect the selection of tourism destination. Eco-friendly destinations having potential to provide organic food and tourism activities in natural setting would be remained in high demand. 
Mountaineering tourism has tremendous potential to grab the opportunity through nature based tourism. It could be emerged as an important tourism product but need to be redefined and redesigned to offer ultimate satisfaction among visitors, tourists and guests. A good product mix could help in grabbing opportunity from the new emerging market. 

2. Revival Plan

The following points would be helpful in revival of mountaineering tourism,

I. Mountaineering Tourism should not be considered as type of adventure tourism only.
II. Mountaineering needs to be divided into the culture, food, farm, leisure and health.
III. Wildlife tourism needs to be treated as one of the important variable to retain the tourists for longer duration.
IV. Birds watching, Orchid trekking and animal safari would have potential to attract.
V. Visit to cultural village located in the mountains and participating in ethnic food preparation and cultural dance.
VI. Closing of all types of “Wet Market” in the locality and generating awareness.
VII. Highlighting closure of all types of “Wet Markets” in the promotional campaign or advertisements.
VIII. Designing teasers and trailers in combination of more than two types of tourism products.
IX. Designing tourism/tour programs metrics in combination format.
X. Focus should be given on Ecotourism programs and responsible tourism.
XI. Developing Recreation Opportunity Spectrum(ROS) as per carrying capacity and limits of acceptable change in destination.
XII. Authenticity and originality of destination should not be transformed completely in any case.
XIII. Designing tour packages by involving tourists for generating learning experiences and awareness regarding nature and culture.
XIV. Biodiversity conservation to be kept on priority.
XV. Tax holiday for tour operator, travel agencies and ecolodge owners if they involve local community to provide their services.
XVI. Devoping cooperative system and schemes to promote indigenous cultural and agricultural products.
XVII. Community Based Tourism Programme and Event Book system would be of great help in monitoring of natural resources and conservation.
XVIII. Wildlife trekking (trekking of wild animals and plants) & Caving.
XIX. Developing family package considering product bundling means opportunity for all. Paying attention at individual level while designing various activities in the package.
XX. Promoting tourism through regional cooperation.
XXI. Mountaineering Tourism need to be converted into Mountain Tourism in terms of getting wider publicity and scope.
XXII. Targeting domestic and regional market.
XXIII. Setting up local financial cooperation to facilitate financial assistance for new start-up.
XXIV. Listing of tourism programs in the brochure and websites of educational institutions and corporate houses located in plain areas ( at low altitude).
XXV. Arranging demo activities and video presentation on Mountain Tourism in collaboration with tour operators in various educational institutions and industries.
XXVI. Listing of new geomorphological sites with ecological and health benefits.
XXVII. Inviting students and parents for various competition/challenge on mountaineering and mountain tourism and providing them with reward/award to the winner. 
XXVIII. Telecasting such programs( tourism competitions/challenge) on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other TV channels to attract.
XXIX. Tie up with international mountaineering tourism organizations, tour Operators like,
 
Butterfield and Robinson (Bike Trips/ Mountain Biking)
Abercrombie and Kent (trekking, Everest)
Harvesham and Baker Golfing Expedition (Golf)
MICATO Safari
While Journey ( Ethnic Food and culture)
World Culture Tour
Martin Randall Travel



3. Recommendations

Golf course could be developed to attract sports tourism a activities. Mountain Sport Tourism(MST) has also a wider scope in future.
- Capacity building programmes, woman empowerment and youth guide training program would help in achieving sustainable development goals in regards to Mountain Tourism.
- Involving local community in production of services would decrease the labour cost and overhead cost which will further  help in discounted pricing strategy of various tour packages.
- Soft adventure programs need to be designed and promoted.
- Highlights of health safety measure and tourist-host awareness through various promotional tools would develop trust among tourists.
- Promoting Travel Health Insurance(THI) to tourists at nominal charge would add more benefits to product. 
- Taking guidance/consultancy from specialist  of areas like professor/ research scholars/ tour operators, frequent visitors and other tourism professionals

4. Limitations of existing study 
 Any generalized idea is not right due to variations in size, goal, changing perceptions and region and literatures followed.

Further Reading

•https://www.amazon.com/Ecotourism-Dynamics-Perspective-Wildlife-Dimensions/dp/1546833447/

•https://www.amazon.com/Ecotourism-Planning-Development-Marketing-Chiranjib/dp/1539170691/

•https://www.tourismjournals.asia/Articles-/-Insight/ 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GAMBELLA : BIRD WATCHING DESTINATION IN ETHIOPIA (AFRICA)

-
Image
  GAMBELLA : BIRD WATCHING DESTINATION IN ETHIOPIA (AFRICA) Gambella is one of the beautiful Ecotourism destination located in south west of Ethiopia. It's one of the favorite place of wildlife lovers and bird watchers. Variety of various species of endemic and migratory birds can be observed over here during the June to January every year. It's also one of the finest eco-cultural destination in Africa, provides opportunities to interact with five indigenous ethnic tribes ( Anuak, Nuer, Majang, Opo, Komo). Gambella National Park is one of the oldest national park in Ethiopia with large  "wildlife migration corridor" where thousands of kobs could be seen floating from South Sudan and other parts of Africa. Birds : Over 180 species of birds were recorded from the area. The ones include: Aplopelia larvata (Lemon dove), Macronyx flavicollis (Abyssinian Longclaw), Oriolus monacha (Abyssinian black-headed oriole),Bucorvus abyssinicus (Abyssinian ground hornbill), Dendropi
Read more

Dinosaur Museum & Fossil Park @ Balasinor, Gujarat, India.

-
Image
Dinosaur Museum & Fossil Park @ Balasinor, Gujarat, India. It is one of the Largest Excavated Dinosaur Park & Museum in the World. Must visit place for adults and kids. In you are looking for some unique and exciting place to explore then Dinosaur Fossil Park & Museum is right place for you to satisfy your quest. Come and explore this insightful place.  This place is located at Raioli Village, (Balasinor) in Gujarat(India). On the way to the site you could enjoy rural tourism too. About the location : In 1980s Paleontologists accidently came across the fossil remains and bones in the village of Raioli in Balasinor. Since then, the place has been flooded with researchers and a number of excavations have taken place in the area the findings of which revealed the fact that there were more than 13 species of dinosaurs that thrived around 65 million years ago.  The fossil park here contains life sized statues of those giant creatures and further excavations have found that a squ
Read more

Ajanta Caves: Mysteries

-
Image
Mysterious Caves & Paintings of Ajanta in India.. Ajanta Caves are located in the state of Maharashtra in India. In all, total 30 excavations were hewn out of rock which also include an unfinished one. Out of these, five (cave no. 9, 10, 19, 26, and 29) are chaityagrihas and the rest are viharas.  Each caves tells about the story of lord  Budha’s life. The caves were excavated in different periods (circa. 2nd century B.C. to 6th century A.D.) according to the necessity. The fresco and murals of Ajanta caves are unique innthe world. The Ajanta Caves constitute ancient monasteries and worship-halls of different Buddhist traditions carved into a 75-metre (246 ft) wall of rock.  The caves include paintings and rock-cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotions through gesture, pose and form. The caves also present paintings depicting the past lives and rebirths of the Buddha, pictorial tale
Read more