THE ROLE OF DOOMSDAY TOURISM IN SETTING NEW PARADIGMS TOWARDS ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES – A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON THE INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Resumo

In recent years, environmental degradation, global warming, green house effect, high levels of emissions, and pollution of various kinds are in the limelight owing to its threatening impacts on sustainability natural and manmade resources. With the passage of time both the landscape features and atmosphere of ‘Mother Earth’ is changing drastically. In short, every moment is being counted as the magnitude of climate change is causing unprecedented repercussions. In fact, climate change has aggravated the decline process of some of the unique tourist destinations in the world. Doomsday tourism is actually a black listing proposition. This concept is churned out in view of the heavy rush of tourists to endangered destinations before they disappear. The perspective of Doomsday tourism pronounces the aspect of ‘Now or Never’. Paradoxically, there are both positive and negative implications of this trend. Apart from this, there are some ethical values attached to it. The premier tourist destinations and cities of India such as Delhi and Mumbai stand out for the wrong reasons – mainly the scary pollution levels. Some of the rollicking rivers have vanished from the country due to excess heat, and of course sand mining. The amazing tourist spots in the foot hills of the Himalayas are no more fascinating as the glaciers melt fast resulting in flooding of rivers, landslides, and other natural calamities. Those tourist attractions which used to entice tourists because of its cool climatic conditions, now a days experience constant fluctuation of temperature. This paper attempts to bring to light the potential of Doomsday tourism in rejuvenating some of the unique destinations of India, by virtue of creating 3600 awareness among all stakeholders about the adverse effects of climate change. This study also deals with the ethical role of the major tourism players of India- both in the public and private sectors-in sensitizing the tourists and hosts on the need for adopting the best practices that will negate the causes of climate change. It is highlighted in this work that ‘to find solutions to the looming threat of disappearance of endangered flora, fauna, and environmental resources which are fabulous tourism products,institutions at various levels should utilize the money generated by mass tourism for renovating and protecting the destinations in the country’. Doomsday tourism can be used as a change or revitalizing agent.