Indian reality tourism - a critical perspective

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper to find out the tangible potential and opportunities of realitytourism in India and other parts of the world. Do we expose our nudity, weaknesses and poverty to tourists or can it be used as an unconventional revenue source for local development of such backward areas? Design -The paper defines the concept of reality-tourism which is prevailing in India at a slow pace and provides a critical analyses about pros and cons of this type of tourism. It also analyses the view of all the stakeholders such as the tourists, the tour operators and the people from slum areas. The paper highlights the various means of reality-tourism, the modus operandi, the various factors affecting reality-tourism through a proposed model, ending up with satisfaction level measurement of the all the players involved. Methodology -Based on an extensive literature review, the author proposes a model to check the various criticisms against the reality tourism also calculate the impact of reality tourism on the daily life of slum dwellers with a case study approach followed by descriptive analysis. Findings -The paper finds a positive trend about reality-tourism. Three different case studies reflects three different scenario of reality-tourism in India about their direct and indirect positive impact on daily life routines of slum dwellers, their business, their health and their education. The paper can also serve as a basis for further research to check the authenticity of proposed model and can frame out some better tourism policies for such niche segment of consumers.

Technology and innovation: Changing concept of rural tourism – A systematic review

“…The study also suggested measures to ensure its sustainability. Gupta [75] identified the scope and trends of a niche tourism segment called Reality Tourism in India. The study discussed the potential benefits and negative consequences of promoting reality tourism in India.…”

Multi-Criteria, Cost-Benefit, and Life-Cycle Analyses for Decision-Making to Support Responsible, Sustainable, and Alternative Tourism

“…Note that the "three bottom lines" is a similar concept, in which all features must be larger than a given threshold [24]. Moreover, alternative tourism resembles geo-tourism, backpacking tourism, homestay (e.g., [31]), gastronomic tourism (e.g., [32]), cycling charity tourism (e.g., [33]), and reality tourism (e.g., [34]). Finally, the following tourism policies could be suggested for alternative tourism: recovery of ceremonies or craftsmanship, restoration of historical buildings or artistic sites, preservation of natural resources and of ancestral cultures, sharing of tourism revenues and access to resources, and relying on typical product-territory relationships such as olive oil or wine production.…”