During the Tamil Nadu Global Tourism Summit 2026 in Chennai (2–3 February), the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) urged India’s tourism stakeholders to broaden their concept of ecotourism. GSTC vice‑chair C.B. “Ram” Ramkumar moderated a panel titled “Rethinking Ecotourism Beyond Sanctuaries.” Speakers highlighted the importance of managing wetlands, mangroves, buffer zones and village commons using GSTC standards, rather than limiting ecotourism to forests and wildlife sanctuaries.
The session called for policies that distribute benefits across communities and reduce pressure on fragile ecosystems. Implementing such holistic approaches could create new experiences and revenue streams while preserving biodiversity.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
