ABSTRACT OF THE KEYNOTE SPEECH BY DR. HAIDAR DZIYAUDDIN The Conundrum of Sustainable Tourism: Theorizing Human Rights Approach

Abstract

Tourism involves human activities propelled by the interest to travel and stay for various purposes. It is fast becoming a lucrative commercial product transacted like a commodity. People are willing to pay for an excitement, adventure, romance, memory lane, serenity, privacy and other condition in life. With the advancement of information technology, someone’s backyard can be turned into a tourist attraction through the viral effect of social media. The proliferation of tourist packages creates new commodities which encourages and supports socio economic development. Undoubtedly, from economic perspective, it creates revenue that helps to spur the progress of business activities at a larger scale. A vexed question that needs to be addressed is whether the commercialisation of tourism can be sustained for future generation particularly in the area of ecotourism, edutourism and cultural tourism. There exists a real dilemma between the catalyst for income generation and dilapidation of resources by way of a threat to ecosystem and biodiversity. A competing interest between resources and revenue requires a balance approach to guarantee the sustainability of tourism industry. Thus, regulation is required to ensure the longevity of tourism resources. Arguably, the approach of regulatory mechanism will put a constraint on the development of tourism and its commercial activities. On the other hand, concern of maximization of tourism resources based on laissez faire will jeopardize sustainable tourism. The writer will argue that a concrete approach by theorizing human rights approach to preserve and protect sustainable tourism is a legitimate recourse.