PLANNING FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ORISSA STATE, INDIA

Abstract

The social-economic benefits of tourism development are unequivocal and it needs more attention. In recent times, it has gained a prominent role in the development process, particularly in the tourism potential regions all over the world. Tourism has become an integral part of a system and its functions influence all the sub systems of the system, such as, physical, social, economic, ecology, environment, infrastructure and institutions. The tourism development plan has thus requires to be prepared by considering all the subsystems of the system, such that it functions as a catalyst in the development process in the tourism resource rich regions. In this present investigation, tourism has been considered as an important function, which influence and also get influenced by the various sub systems of the system. Having the aforesaid knowledge, the region confined between the coastal and flood plains of a lesser known Orissa State, located in the East coast of India having lot of resources for tourism development is considered in this present investigation for evolving plausible guidelines in order to achieve viable tourism development in the region such that it shall function as a catalyst in the total development of the system. An extensive field and literature survey were conducted and relevant data pertaining to socio- economic, industrial and tourism conditions of the system were collected and suitable quantitative techniques are employed to understand the socio economic and tourism conditions of the system. In this regard, a through reviewof the available literatures and analysis reveals that the conventional methods of analysis have many limitations, and fast becoming inadequate to serve the complexities that require in forecasting the future scenarios. Many Scholars have explored various techniques and methods of analysis for evolving development plans and observed that application of System Dynamics Theory and Models are one of the most suitable techniques available for understanding the functions of the system, which is essential for planning process. Therefore, System Dynamics models have been developed based on System concept and employed in this present investigation, to understand the functions of various sub systems of the system (study area) by considering the most important control parameters, which influence the functions of the system. Long-range projections are made to understand the demand and supply of the most important infrastructures, which influence tourism development and the system as a whole for the year 2031 A.D. Further, various socio-economic, infrastructural and environmental indicators have been measured, and different scenarios under alternative conditions are generated and tested in the model to understand the system functions. Finally, a set of plausible policy guidelines is prepared by considering phase wise achievements and requirements in alternative conditions and recommendations are made for tourism development along with total development of the system.