A new approach to development
Development Tourism is the organisation working in the field of sustainable human development in the state of West Bengal and other Eastern States of India.
The best way of "Development Tourism" is to get away from the so called 'mass tourism' and get into the hinterland of India. The initiated travellers will come face to face with the reality and diversity of the true Indian experience.
Live your experience to the full in rural India where the village encounter provides a natural landscape, which could vary from a tea plantation to a fishing village. From the hardy mountain tops in Ladakh to the natural backwaters of Kerala and Sundarbans, the green forests to the desert, the possibilities are endless.
The local folklore, the performing artists, the social milieu and creative art and crafts, small entrepreneurs to women empowerment for sustainable agriculture, environment and various development activities initiated by the local people will enrich you while travelling in India through "Development Tourism".
The travel objectives:
Development Tourism is a new type of tourism product for tourists which offer social, cultural, ecological and political dimension that are usually lacking in mainstream tourism of so called tourism industry. Development Tourism is organized in association with Mass Education (NGO) a well known development organization in West Bengal INDIA.
Development Tourism provides opportunities to the tourists of all section to be exposed to the reality of the oppressed urban and rural poor, to their daily life and their struggle for sustainable socio-economic, cultural and ecological development;
Development Tourism helps the tourist to visit the various development activities conducted by the NGOs, Government organizations and private organizations;
Development Tourism helps the tourist to make dialogue between the tourists and small artisans, craftsmen, weavers and entrepreneurs so that the Indian traditional art and culture can be promoted for sustainability of small sectors.
1. Impact of the tourism activity on the general public:
Local artisans and their handicrafts are sold;
Employment of the local youths is increased;
Infrastructure of the community has developed;
Community assets are built;
Socio-cultural environment has improved;
Income of the family thus community has increased;
Child labour and child trafficking has disappeared;
Women are in better position in the society;
Authority is more responding to the cause of local development and
Finally sustainable economy has developed.
2. Young people of the village are given training on technical education, which would help them to generate their own income & set up a business on:
Dress making & fashion designing, Plumbing, Mason work, Carpentry;
Entrepreneurship Training, Hospitality management, Makeup & Beautician, Computer etc.
3. Duration of the Tour & placement:
Development Tourism is organized as per the programme laid down by the organisation any time of the year.
Duration of the tour may be minimum7 days and maximum 3 months.
Follow the norms of the Indian Government and the respective organisations regarding visa, travel in restricted places and general law of the country.
4. The travel, Transportation, accommodation & food:
The travel includes various field visits in the rural villages and the means of transportation is by the private vehicle and local transport system.
All possible comfort is provided to the tourists according to the local facilities available. Tourist is requested to be flexible with the situation and make adjustment. However, all foreign tourists will be brought back from the visits to the guest house/hotels fixed for them.
However, for all cases Indian type of foods will be served.
5. Dress & costumes:
All foreign tourists are requested to respect the Indian culture and feelings for using the dress and costumes. Try to avoid extreme western dress & costumes especially in the rural areas. Plain cotton dress is suitable for all seasons.
6. Cost of the Tour Service:
The cost of the tour is 35 Euro per head per day, which include simple food, accommodation, (twin/single bed room attached with bathroom) and local transportation, Development Tourism will take the responsibility of the entire tour programme of the tourist.
7. All tourists must have life and medical insurance before they arrive in India for safety and security.
8. All payment should be made in full either in cash or by travellers cheque once they are received by the Development Tourism.
9. Profit earn from the Development Tourism will be used for the development projects run by Mass Education.
10. All Tourists are received from the airport and see off to the airport if we know before the arrival and departure scheduled.
The activities for the tourist offered are:
Ex-change between People & Tourist:
Tourist & the local population are encouraged to interact between them, ex-change views & cultural feelings to satisfy themselves. Through regular meetings, visits & participation in the programme "Development Tourism" creates an environment for mutual satisfaction without disturbing the community culture and social system so that by the visit of foreign tourist, people don't feel threaten but see the tourist as "friend" and "Partners" in development process.
To visit basic education run by the govt and non-government organisation.
To choose one or several schools to teach for 2-3 weeks;
To play with the children, draw pictures, sing, dance or show any visuals or physical activities (games, sports, etc
) you know;
Observe the daily life of the village
If you are an expert in the field of agriculture, pisci-culture, wood craft, health and nutrition or any trade, which could be taught
See different community activities, cultural and social events of the community;
Participate in learning Indian cousin in the family
Beside the development tour tourist friend may visit interesting monuments, tourist spots and places throughout the India organised by us. Tour includes the Villages of delta region of Sundarbans, Bankura, Birbhum, Purulia, and Darjeeling hills of West Bengal State and several interesting land. Mark, and Villages of Sikkim, Bhutan, Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Konarak, Bhubaneshwar, Dhablegiri National Park, Puri, Varanasi, Khajurao, Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Puskar, Mount Abu and Ahmedabad. Other than this, tour is organized in other parts of India as per the interest of the tourists.
Tour plan are made after discussion with the tourist, however they might express their desire for tour in advance.
Field placements and Training for Students:
Development Tourism is offering field's placement and training for the students of developed countries to take part in the various development activities initiated by the local people, government authorities and NGO's in the fields of agriculture, small industry, environment health & education and livelihood improvement sector. Development Tourism ensures that students have a positive and safe experience
To help the students to acquire better the development tools and learns the techniques to be more effective in implementing and mobilizing human resources. And to provide opportunities to the students to be expose to the reality of the socio-economic conditions in which people live so that they can regulate the decision making process once they take part in the leadership in their own state.
