Tourism Growth under India’s New CSR Regime

Abstract

Two major obstacles to tourism development in India have been identified as shortage of skilled manpower and dearth of rural tourism projects. Through the provisions under Section 135 of the new Companies Act 2013, the Indian government has initiated a reform process on how private companies, including leading hospitality businesses, should conduct their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. Recognizing this opportunity for action, this paper looks at the opportunity for tourism growth under the new CSR regime by reviewing the barriers for hospitality companies falling under the ambit of Section 135 to make CSR investments toward tourism development. Upon establishing these barriers, the argument reviews the current CSR trends and the absence of diversification in spending CSR funds. Finally, the paper discusses the need for enhancing the capacity of tourism NGOs in India and for developing strategic partnerships between these institutions and hospitality companies.

Citation

Sharma, T. (2018), "Tourism Growth under India’s New CSR Regime", Advances in Hospitality and Leisure (Advances in Hospitality and Leisure, Vol. 14), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 161-171. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1745-354220180000014010