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Sustainable consumption and production of wildlife tourism in Indian tiger reserves: a critical analysis

Mahender Reddy Gavinolla (National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Hyderabad, India; Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera, Latvia and Department of Tourism Management, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, India)
Vikrant Kaushal (Indian Institute of Management, Sirmaur, India)
Agita Livina (Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera, Latvia)
Sampada Kumar Swain (Department of Tourism Management, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, India)
Hemant Kumar (Centre for Rural Development and Innovative Sustainable Development, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India)

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes

ISSN: 1755-4217

Article publication date: 4 March 2021

Issue publication date: 15 June 2021

1762

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to review the existing landscape of consumption and production in wildlife tourism and, more precisely, discuss how tiger tourism is packaged and produced as a product or commodity for the consumption of wildlife tourists. In doing so, the study explores the issues and challenges for responsible consumption and production (SCP) of wildlife tourism in the context of progress toward sustainable development goal (SDG12) responsible consumption and production.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines an analysis of existing literature and insights from the tiger reserve stakeholders. Qualitative analysis using semi-structured interviews and participant observation methods are used to derive insights.

Findings

This paper explores the status of SCP of wildlife tourism, particularly tiger tourism in Indian national parks. The paper then discusses the implications of SCP for various stakeholders in wildlife tourism.

Originality/value

This paper explores the perspective of SCP in wildlife tourism, and it provides innovative approaches that stakeholders should adopt.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr E Sivanagi Reddy, CEO, The Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati, Vijayawada, India, National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Hyderabad, India, UNESCO MAB Program at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Latvia, Bandhavgarh Park Authority, Indian Institute of Management, Sirmaur and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, India for their support.

Funding: The European Social fund project 8.2.2. “To Strengthen Academic Staff of Higher Education Institutions in the Areas of Strategic Specialisation” funded this research partly for G. Mahender Reddy.

Citation

Gavinolla, M.R., Kaushal, V., Livina, A., Swain, S.K. and Kumar, H. (2021), "Sustainable consumption and production of wildlife tourism in Indian tiger reserves: a critical analysis", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 95-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-08-2020-0091

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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