Tourism and Sustainable Energy

Sustainable Development as a term is used extensively both by developed and developing nations across the world. Generally, it means to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. On the other side, the role of Energy and its associated terms like energy efficiency, renewable energy etc. is playing a significant role in achieving the objective of sustainable development. The international forums and organizations realized the critical role of energy in sustainable development. That is the main reason, the United Nations General Assembly by its resolution declared this year as the International Year of Sustainable Energy.
 
Such a declaration from international organization is providing an opportunity to raise awareness related to continuous increasing sustainable access to the energy efficiency, renewable energy etc. Further, it will help to promote the awareness about the role of sustainable energy at the local as well as global level. The area of Energy services have insightful impact on the various services like productivity, health, food and water security, education, climate change, and communication services. Due to the lack of availability of clean, affordable and reliable energy hamper human, social and economic development. Moreover, it is a major impediment to achieve the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (UNMDG).

Tourism as the fastest, broadest and strategically significant sector can contribute enormously both directly and indirectly for sustainable energy and sustainable development. Therefore, the role of tourism and its allied sectors in sustainable developments is an important one. In 1979, the United Nation World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) General Assembly decided to celebrate World Tourism Day (WTD) every year and from the very next year, the first World Tourism Day was celebrated. After that it is held annually on 27 September on global level.

Basically, the main purpose to celebrate World Tourism Day is to spread awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism as a field along with its social, cultural, political and economic value. The themes of the tourism day seek to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to highlight its contribution which can make in reaching MDGs' goals. On this day, the United Nations World Tourism Organization includes the global community to cherish and celebrate the importance of nature and natural resources with human existence. While the official World Tourism Day celebrations take place in a UNWTO Member State on the basis of geographic rotation.

Like every year, the theme for this year's World Tourism Day is "Tourism & Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development". This year's official celebrations will take place in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain and include a Think Tank on the 2012 theme with the participation of top experts and policy makers in the field of tourism and energy. This day represents a unique opportunity to highlight the steps taken so far by the international tourism community to power the all important sustainable development. Moreover, the theme is also an opportunity to ensure that the international tourism continues to play a strategic role in tackling the energy challenges of the present time. It is being depicted through United Nations by declaring this year as an International Year of Sustainable Energy.

In this regard, the information is also uploaded on the official website of United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The main points included in the information are the clean energy solutions in tourism which help in bringing the sector's carbon emissions down, protecting local environments and communities, carrying modern energy services to the world poor, cutting costs for businesses and creating jobs and economic opportunities. According to the estimate by UNWTO, one billion international tourists are expected to travel in the present year, therefore, this is the time to commit to a more sustainable tourism sector and a sustainable future for all.

Like in other developing countries, the theme titled Tourism and Sustainable Energy is very much valid in our country as India Vacation Packages. Due to continuous increase in the income-level of middle class, the burden on natural resources is also increasing. Although, India is ranked 127 in the Human Development Index (HDI) but the rapid pace of unchecked development has already imposed serious threats for environmentally friendly present and tomorrow. Today, our national agencies are concerned about the sustainable development in every field as well as in urban and rural areas so that we can contribute towards the clean and green tomorrow.

In India, there are several hurdles for sustainable development like population, poverty, inequality, deforestation, petrol consumption, the shortage of drinking water, health issues etc. but the most prominent one is consumption of energy. On the other hand, the meaning of sustainable development does not mean to divert from the growth but to utilize our resources so that a kind of inter-relationship can be established for the mutual benefits of present and future generations. There may be some suggestions that can be helpful towards the sustainable development. Strategies like input efficient technology, usage of environmental friendly resources, integrated development plans, focuses on renewable sources of energy, organic farming, recycle the wastes etc. will yield favorable benefits. Beyond these strategies, citizens should take an oath to conserve the natural assets to maintain the inter-generational equality.

In conclusion, the concept of sustainable energy and sustainable development is a vision and a way of developing an attitude to conserve our resources as well as our environment for future generations. Both the government policies as well as genuine contributions from societies can guide to achieve the sustainable development. No doubt that degradation on environmental resources already imposed a threat to those generations that are yet to born. Such kind of uncontrolled development will hamper their normal life on this planet. But the serious efforts will make a note of sustainable strategies that will equip the future generations to inherit a balance and improvised quality life from the present generations.

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