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D. Gambhir et al.
the image of Indian tourists (Haider 2020). Efforts should be made to promote ecopilgrimage and eco-tourism by promoting biodegradable solutions for packaging and
waste disposal (Matta et al. 2018; Yadav 2014). Stakeholder participation is crucial
for promoting ecotourism. Efforts in this direction need to originate with the government and business heads, along with proper training of staff and other stakeholders
(VanHerwarde et al. 2013). The government should create more tourist information
centres around the popular sites. Environmental awareness as a means to improve
economic advantage, competitiveness and business performance is more likely to
encourage business owners to adopt responsible tourism. This may be promoted as an
excellent investment to overcome constraints of operational scale and other resources
(Carasuk et al. 2016). Responsible tourism makes the ‘stakeholders accountable for
their actions and behaviours’ and improves the destination image. It does not guarantee higher tourist numbers but has the potential to influence visitor perceptions to
a great extent (George 2017). In addition, the focus is on the local communities, thus
helps in making ‘better places to live in’ and contributes positively to the destination
(Goodwin 2019).
Having dedicated bodies or organisations at religious sites: Each major or
upcoming religious tourism destination should have a dedicated institution or
authority responsible for maintaining and preserving the site, along with ensuring the
cleanliness of the adjacent environment (Shinde 2007). A formal institution plays a
more proactive role and is responsible for the regulation of visitors and maintenance
of the destination site, leading to better management and more pleasant experiences
(Shinde 2018). There is a need to review and scrutinise the operations of religious
trusts and bodies to ensure transparency and avoid money laundering and involvement
with anti-social activities (FICCI 2012).
5 Conclusion
Sustainable development is the prime global agenda and includes economic, social
and environmental concerns. Tourism has a deep connection with the SDGs’ agenda.
Religion has had a strong bond with tourism since ancient times. It has a profound
impact in India, which has a vast multi-cultural and religious heritage. The current
operations and promotion of religious tourism must be in tune with the SDGs.
The North-Indian hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have a significant share of religious and spiritual tourism in India, and are promoted as ‘Dev
Bhoomi’—Abode of the Gods. They have been studied using primary and secondary
data. It has been seen that there has been a significant impact of religious tourism
on the sustainability aspects in these states. Some suggestions to promote religious
tourism while maintaining socio-economic and ecological balance in these states
include estimating the carrying capacity of the region, regulating visitors, charging
a tourism fee, training different stakeholders (including the locals) in appropriate
skills and promoting responsible tourism.
D. Gambhir et al.
the image of Indian tourists (Haider 2020). Efforts should be made to promote ecopilgrimage and eco-tourism by promoting biodegradable solutions for packaging and
waste disposal (Matta et al. 2018; Yadav 2014). Stakeholder participation is crucial
for promoting ecotourism. Efforts in this direction need to originate with the government and business heads, along with proper training of staff and other stakeholders
(VanHerwarde et al. 2013). The government should create more tourist information
centres around the popular sites. Environmental awareness as a means to improve
economic advantage, competitiveness and business performance is more likely to
encourage business owners to adopt responsible tourism. This may be promoted as an
excellent investment to overcome constraints of operational scale and other resources
(Carasuk et al. 2016). Responsible tourism makes the ‘stakeholders accountable for
their actions and behaviours’ and improves the destination image. It does not guarantee higher tourist numbers but has the potential to influence visitor perceptions to
a great extent (George 2017). In addition, the focus is on the local communities, thus
helps in making ‘better places to live in’ and contributes positively to the destination
(Goodwin 2019).
Having dedicated bodies or organisations at religious sites: Each major or
upcoming religious tourism destination should have a dedicated institution or
authority responsible for maintaining and preserving the site, along with ensuring the
cleanliness of the adjacent environment (Shinde 2007). A formal institution plays a
more proactive role and is responsible for the regulation of visitors and maintenance
of the destination site, leading to better management and more pleasant experiences
(Shinde 2018). There is a need to review and scrutinise the operations of religious
trusts and bodies to ensure transparency and avoid money laundering and involvement
with anti-social activities (FICCI 2012).
5 Conclusion
Sustainable development is the prime global agenda and includes economic, social
and environmental concerns. Tourism has a deep connection with the SDGs’ agenda.
Religion has had a strong bond with tourism since ancient times. It has a profound
impact in India, which has a vast multi-cultural and religious heritage. The current
operations and promotion of religious tourism must be in tune with the SDGs.
The North-Indian hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have a significant share of religious and spiritual tourism in India, and are promoted as ‘Dev
Bhoomi’—Abode of the Gods. They have been studied using primary and secondary
data. It has been seen that there has been a significant impact of religious tourism
on the sustainability aspects in these states. Some suggestions to promote religious
tourism while maintaining socio-economic and ecological balance in these states
include estimating the carrying capacity of the region, regulating visitors, charging
a tourism fee, training different stakeholders (including the locals) in appropriate
skills and promoting responsible tourism.