Tourism Development Planning: a Case of Narmada Region Ajaysinh Matieda1, Prof
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The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 Tourism Development Planning: A Case of Narmada Region Ajaysinh Matieda1, Prof. Sejal S. Bhagat2 Pursuing Masters of Town & Country Planning1, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Sarvajanik College of Engineering & Technology [email protected] [email protected] Abstract— Tourism is the emerging service sector industry in India which can generate rapid economic growth by providing employment opportunities, foreign exchange earnings and infrastructure development. Recognizing the importance of tourism, government is also taking active steps for development of tourism by taking various initiatives such as formation of various acts and laws for the development of tourism. This paper focuses on preparation of tourism development plan for Narmada region in the vicinity of Statue of Unity. The plan is prepared according to the Tourism Governance Act 2019 which was notified in gazette for tourism and infrastructure development. SWOT analysis was also carried out for understanding the detailed scenario of the region. Keywords—Tourism Development Plan, Narmada Region, Statue of Unity, Infrastructure, SWOT I. INTRODUCTION Tourism development plan is the important document containing the road map for phase wise tourism development for a period of 5 years. Tourism planning is the process of considering the needs of people planning a trip and using those factors to determine the best resources, programs and activities for their trip. [1] According to Spanoudis “Tourism Planning must proceed within the framework of an overall plan for the development of an area`s total resources and local conditions”. So for analysing the current scenario and local conditions SWOT analysis is carried out. Gujarat tourism is taking initiative for developing the region as water tourism destination. Tourism Development Act was formed and under that authority will be formed for proper planning and implementation of tourism products in the region. [2] Various other initiatives have been taken such as Identification of major tourist spots and formation of tourist circuits, improving infrastructure development and developing marketing strategies for positioning India as leading tourist destination. In this paper a detailed development plan along with the legal bureaucracy of the tourism development authority is prepared. II. SWOT ANALYSIS SWOT analysis is a commonly used tool for analysing external and internal environments simultaneously in order to acquire a systematic approach and support for a decision situation. In addition to this, the key tool used presently in planning the national sustainable development is Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis, which originates from the business management literature and was adopted in the 1980s by public administration across such areas as regional development and municipal planning. SWOT analysis is an important decision-making support tool, and is commonly used to systematically analyse the strategic situations and identify the level of organizations from their internal and external environments.[3] The widespread use and applications of SWOT analysis indicate its usefulness and clarity for identification of system improvements Importantly, SWOT analysis allows for predicting future opportunities and threats, as well as quantifying effects of alternative management strategies. SWOT Analysis is as follows: STRENGTH: Strength is a comparative advantage or edge our competitors. WEAKNESS: A weakness is a limitation or deficiency in resources, skills and capabilities that impede effective information. Facilities, financial resources, management capabilities, marketing skills and brand image could be the causes of weakness. OPPORTUNITIES: An opportunity is a major favourable situation in the environment. THREATS: Unfavourable situation in the firm’s environment is a major threat to the organization. SWOT analysis of the study area is explained in four box model for identification of the criteria and simplifying the planning process. Volume XII, Issue VI, June/2020 Page No:29 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 Table I TYPICAL REPRESENTATION OF SWOT ANALYSIS IN 4 BOX MODEL STRENGTH WEAKNESSES The region possesses the potential to cater every Poor Transportation Facilities tourist expectation. Higher cost of travelling due to lack of integrated Blessed with natural beauties transportation network. Rich tourism resources Lack of accommodation facilities Attractive Climate Undeveloped infrastructure Cultural and Historic Heritage Tourism Products Poor Conditions of roads Authentic and Unspoiled Issue of Solid Waste Management Large number of labour resources Data on tourism are not structured properly. Formation of Tourism Development Act and Improper marketing strategy Authority Lack of technology interventions Well connected with international tourist site i.e. Little tourist information Statue of Unity Shortage of professional management Good Economic Potential Fairs and Festivals organized at International levels OPPORTUNITIES THREATS Diversity of tourism product and offers variety of Region faces security threats tourism Remote areas are not safe and dangerous Future income from tourism can be used for Issues of monkeys annoying the tourists benefitting local people Presence of beggars and widespread poverty Job creation and benefiting the local community Unregulated infrastructure development Attractive region for new tour operators Ecological and Environmental imbalances Great business opportunities for hotel and food No proper authority for regulating tourist places industries. Lack of appreciation of tourism`s importance by Growing interest in adventure tourism local residents Potential for building sports infrastructure and Adverse socio-cultural impacts of tourism water activities development Attractive destinations for all age group Investment in tourism infrastructure III. STUDY AREA Narmada river which rises from Amarkantak mountains in Madhya Pradesh and traverse through Maharashtra and Gujarat. Narmada river is also known as Reva. It is the fifth largest river in the country and the largest one in Gujarat. In Gujarat it meets with the Gulf of Cambay near Bhadbhut village. The total length of the river from source to sea is 1312 kilometers. Narmada river abounds with beautiful scenery such as wildlife sanctuary, eco-tourism sites, religious sites, cultural heritage sites which allows higher number of possibilities for tourism development. The area of study is focused on Bharuch to Statue of Unity stretch of Narmada river and surrounding area of the stretch. The stretch of 80 kms lies between Bharuch and Narmada district which includes Statue of Unity and Sardar Sarovar Dam site. The popularity of this region is increasing since the Statue of Unity is constructed. The statue is constructed with world class infrastructure which is attracting number of tourists from all over the world. Mobility of tourist flow is intense during weekends and public holidays. Due to increase in tourist footfall in this region the demand for tourist spots development is increasing in the nearby region. This study identifies the tourist spots which are nearby the Statue of Unity site so that tourist can easily enjoy other tourism products while visiting the Statue of Unity site. For phase 1 tourism development plan various spots in the vicinity of Statue of Unity are selected for infrastructure development. The scope of work is limited to the study area of Narmada region and the riverside area of Narmada river in Bharuch and Narmada district. The study includes the site of Sardar Sarovar Dam and Statue of Unity. This study identifies and analyse the potential of the study area and nearby tourist spots as tourist destinations and recommend suitable planning proposals. [4] Volume XII, Issue VI, June/2020 Page No:30 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 IV. TOURIST DATA The data from Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. (SSNNL) and Statue of Unity ticketing counter is collected regarding basic details of tourist spots, visitors’ profile and upcoming tourist projects in the study area. Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited 2019 visitor profile report shows the average tourist footfalls in the Narmada region which are as below: [5] Fig. I Visitor Data at Statue of Unity Site This study attempts to estimate that how recreational user demand is associated with various other factors such tourist accessibility, accommodation, availability of transportation, age group etc. V. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN Tourism development plan is prepared for proper planning of destination by providing necessary infrastructure proposals and increasing the attractiveness of the destination. The government has notified a special act called as “Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Act” for promoting tourism planning in the vicinity of Statue of Unity. This act was first published in “Gujarat Government Gazette” after receiving Governor`s assent on 20th December 2019. This act is formed and enacted “to provide for development of area and management of Tourism in and around the Statue of Unity at Kevadia in the state of Gujarat by providing necessary civic infrastructure through effective planning, administration and the matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.” [6]