Asian Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2020
The Government of Puducherry is taking several new and noteworthy initiatives in developing and p... more The Government of Puducherry is taking several new and noteworthy initiatives in developing and promoting tourism by collaborating with stakeholders, revamping existing schemes to provide a further boost to the sector, recognizing the contribution of tourism as an agent and an engine for SocioEconomic growth of the territory through various programmes and initiatives. Though Puducherry is a well known tourist destination in India, it cannot boast only upon its natural and created resources of tourism to cater to the needs of the diversified tourists. The Government's assistance is of vital importance. Thus, this research paper analyses the key initiatives taken by the Government of Puducherry in promoting Tourism and presents the abridged account in a lucid narrative style. In this study, the Government's commitments to upgrading existing facilities, natural resource conservation and neo-projects are gleaned out more clearly. Rich theoretical inputs knitted with essential primary and secondary sources makes this paper an interesting one that adds newer finding to the existing literature.
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations, 2019
The accommodation business is an impressive and equally a challenging industry. All things consid... more The accommodation business is an impressive and equally a challenging industry. All things considered, the board graduates must be knowledgeable in principle just as down to earth. Be that as it may, the pre-necessities of the executives graduate don't just include scholastics yet in addition the flawlessness of delicate aptitudes and the capacity to settle on choices at whatever point and wherever. Trainees will in general have immense trusts in their lives after school as hotel industry appears to depict a captivating world. Off camera, not every person is sufficiently blessed to have the option to get into the superstar life. In any case, many of them let go they had always wanted after the fulfilment of their perfunctory preparations. This article answers a portion of the significant inquiries like what is it that makes the understudies to flee from the business? Is it in light of the expanding rivalry or acknowledgment that the business isn't too charming? Or on the other hand is it that this age does not have what it needs to end up effective (Ready persistence and diligent work)?
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 2013
In the topical years, Tourism has gained colossal prominence and has been recognised and accepted... more In the topical years, Tourism has gained colossal prominence and has been recognised and accepted by the nations across the globe as a constructive instrument in strengthening the economy of a country, generating employment opportunities, as a knowledge provider and the finest entertainer to the aspiring tourists. Though tourists are experiencing variegated forms of tourism, recent trends have shown an incredible response to the destinations which have spiritual potential thereby promoting spiritual, religious and or pilgrimage tourism. Every destination in the world offers unique amenities to the tourists and not all offer a spiritual experience. Spiritual journey in a destination impacts internally and brings in a sort of therapy there by giving an exultant experience to the tourists. One such destination that offers a soothing spiritual experience to the tourists is Puducherry which is a Union Territory in South India. This paper attempts to glean the richly found spiritual elements that foster tourism in the destination and assays the after effects of the spiritual experience of the touristssequelling a holistic therapy. This qualitative research comprises rich theoretical inputs from various historical and current sources, data collected through field visits and interviews from tourists.
International journal of basic and applied research www.pragatipublication.com, 2018
India has emerged as a cultural hotspot of thought and philosophy. In a fast emerging era of mode... more India has emerged as a cultural hotspot of thought and philosophy. In a fast emerging era of modernization, technological development and globalization, the rise of intellectual powers and prowess in India manifested itself in focused themes and contexts that ignited the minds of all Indians. Right from pre-Independence to post-Independence, a surge of intellectualism swept across our nation paving the path for revolutions and reformations, leading to the progressive development of our country. Political pressures, economic emergence, princely dispositions, communal disparities andsocial dichotomy alike brought to lightthe extraordinary vision and insightful ideas of futuristic minds, world-renowned intellectual giants who awakened India from her stupor, sparked her potential and themselves went on to become acclaimed icons and role models for people the world over. India, with her dynamic history is renowned for the harmonious existence of diverse cultures, ancient traditions, a rich heritage and the distinction of being home to myriad of intellectual icons from different walks of life. Our motherland has from time immemorial been the repository of many religions espousing enduring spiritual values. India has garnered recognition as a holy land that bestows everlasting peace and joy, a utopia where a seeker's spiritual quest ends; down the ages she has nurtured an array of religious leaders and spiritual gurus. Once such personality, who was deeply involved in the Indian spiritual diaspora despite being a person of non-Indian origin wasMirraAlfassa-the spiritual collaborator of Sri AurobindoGhosh also fondly hailed as The Mother. This paper traces her stupendous transition in life, from a naïve girl to a spiritual narcotic. This paper also throws light on the sojourn of MirraAlfassa in Puducherry and her spiritual activities which lead to the formation of the unique, multi-cultural confluence site 'Auroville'-an International humanity center that has proved to the world that Indian traditions and values can make holistic living and peaceful coexistence possible, transcending all barriers of caste, creed, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion and politics. The contributions of this great spiritual leader made her very popular all around the globe with her work being carried forward to-date by all devotees, disciples and seekers of truth and a life of perfection.
The enchanting beauty of the union territory Puducherry, a vintage hamlet facing Bay of Bengal li... more The enchanting beauty of the union territory Puducherry, a vintage hamlet facing Bay of Bengal lies in its French touches that charm visitors, remnants of it having once been the largest French colony in India, is home to beautiful beaches, stately churches, spiritual centers, tree-lined boulevards, statues that dot the seaside promenade, French-inspired architecture, mouth watering culinary delights that are a blend of French and Tamil influences and street names that are more often "rue" than road. Pondicherry is well connected to the rest of the nation and can be easily reached by the commonly preferred modes of travel namely road, rail and air. This research paper analyses and presents each of these modes in detail and their availability in facilitating the tourists" inflow.
IJEP 35 (9) : 744-753 (2015) (The pulsating practises tangled in tourism, have sequelled a sheer ... more IJEP 35 (9) : 744-753 (2015) (The pulsating practises tangled in tourism, have sequelled a sheer paradigm shift in this current contemporary world. Tourism has been escalated from the sense of 'experience' to the platform of 'industry'. The tourists are seen to be 'consumers' more often than being 'normative'. Travel and tourism has become a vital need for people from different walks of life. This growing demand inundates the need for various tourism infrastructure and facilities , amounting to voluminous usage by the tourists. Eventually, the destination's environment is intervened and it suffers certain losses which cannot be compensated. Hence, environmental impact assessment is essential to understand the impact of a project. To discuss this theme, select environments from Puducherry-A popular tourist destination, at the shores of Bay of Bengal, southern part of India is taken for the study. The possible impacts of tourism projects on the chosen natural and built environment are studied. Based on the inferences, suggestions are drawn. This paper is carefully constructed using frequent field visits, observation techniques, interaction with the concerned authorities, archives , reports and reviews.
The continually growing travel and tourism industry in India has proved to be a huge economy boos... more The continually growing travel and tourism industry in India has proved to be a huge economy booster and plays a particularly critical role in the socioeconomic development of local communities. Rapid developments and advancements in tourism bestow innumerable benefits on the involved destinations. However, the actual potential and scope of tourism development in a particular area can be fully understood only after a thorough analytical study. In a bid to bring to light the significant elements that need additional attention for the promotion and development of sustainable tourism, the prominent historical tourist destination of Mahabalipuram, the city of architectural splendour situated on the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal, in Kancheepuram district, Tamilnadu, is taken up for this investigative research study. It enjoys the historic distinction of having once been a flourishing port city and an important center of art, architecture, culture, and literature in the 7 th century during the reign of the Pallava dynasty. Today, it is affirmably one of the city's iconic landmarks. As late as the 20 th century, the architectural magnificence of its historical monuments was duly recognized by the Government as one of the significant tourist destinations in the country and it was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1984. From the 1990s onwards, the Ministry of Tourism focused its attention and efforts on promoting tourism, highlighting the city's glorious heritage and rich culture. Every year, both State and Central Governments allocate a definite fund for developmental projects, aimed at improving the available infrastructure and providing better facilities in Mahabalipuram. In tandem with such commendable tourism promotion measures, it is suggested that the host community or the local residents are sensitized to the need to sustain tourism in this destination by emphasizing the important role they can play in accelerating tourism development. Tourism can develop and grow in leaps and bounds by connecting guest travelers with the resident hosts and facilitating their interaction. The potential outcome of such community-based tourism is a better understanding of the prevailing socio-cultural identity, the local traditions, indigenous lifestyle, skilled art and handicrafts besides the natural environment. Indeed, the very livelihood of many communities may depend on tourism. Increased tourist footfall will then, in turn, boost the economic growth of the region. This exploratory paper is construed using a systematic compilation of rich primary data comprising of field visits, surveys, observation inputs, Government reports, etc.
The antiquity of Tourism can be traced to the days of yore when man ventured out from his abode a... more The antiquity of Tourism can be traced to the days of yore when man ventured out from his abode and began travelling by foot far and wide in search of food, shelter and livelihood. Tourism is as old as man's evolution. Tourism draws together people from diverse backgrounds in the one common pursuit of travel, which transcends barriers of age,
The accommodation business is an impressive and equally a challenging industry. All things consid... more The accommodation business is an impressive and equally a challenging industry. All things considered, the board graduates must be knowledgeable in principle just as down to earth. Be that as it may, the pre-necessities of the executives graduate don't just include scholastics yet in addition the flawlessness of delicate aptitudes and the capacity to settle on choices at whatever point and wherever. Trainees will in general have immense trusts in their lives after school as hotel industry appears to depict a captivating world. Off camera, not every person is sufficiently blessed to have the option to get into the superstar life. In any case, many of them let go they had always wanted after the fulfilment of their perfunctory preparations. This article answers a portion of the significant inquiries like what is it that makes the understudies to flee from the business? Is it in light of the expanding rivalry or acknowledgment that the business isn't too charming? Or on the other hand is it that this age does not have what it needs to end up effective (Ready persistence and diligent work)?
The present world's mass tourism has regenerated itself, paving way for niche tourism that focuse... more The present world's mass tourism has regenerated itself, paving way for niche tourism that focuses more on qualitative tour experience than the volume. One such segment that pulls the tourists with alacrity is Garden tourism. This novel tourism yet novice have immense potential in spearheading green tourism in the arena of entertainment. This research paper interestingly, studies the tourism potential of a garden in Puducherry-'Le Jardin Botanique'. Frequent field visits, intricate interviews, rich theoretical inputs, accurate observations, etc. forms the base of this research.
I. Prologue Force Majeure or 'an act of God' refers to calamitous events that are witnessed all o... more I. Prologue Force Majeure or 'an act of God' refers to calamitous events that are witnessed all over the globe. Chennai too has had its share of extreme natural disasters such as earthquakes, tropical storms, cyclones, floods and heat waves most of which have not only been frequent but also powerful enough to cause extensive damages and a heavy toll on life and property. The death statistics have been alarming and damages have been widespread despite relief, rescue and rehabilitation measures being deployed in full swing. The sheer scale of the disasters has made the task of rebuilding the beleaguered city a mammoth task. A few developed countries have well devised strategies to address the challenges posed by the natural disasters in a scientific way ably assisted by technology but developing countries are the worst-hit as they are already grappling with problems of inadequate infrastructure, vulnerable local communities, slow economic growth, and developmental challenges like poverty and unemployment; they are ill-equipped to deal with the additional burden of natural catastrophes. The problem is compounded by the fact that natural disasters often strike when least expected, with hardly any warning and little time to prepare to face the catastrophic consequences. This research paper aims to analyze the initiatives taken by luxury hotels to tackle the problem of natural disasters such as floods, to protect its elite guests on-board from any sort of discomfort and ensure their safety and security during challenging times. To better understand the prevailing level of natural disaster preparedness, the metropolitan city of Chennai is chosen as the study area in general and a few top-notch luxury hotels of the hospitality sector in particular are chosen for an in-depth investigation. II. Foray into the Forefront Weather events that leave in its wake negative outcomes of loss of human life and damage to property are termed as risks [1]. Apart from the weather, fire, financial and other calamities are also classified as the key risks endemic to the hotel industry. Though risk is part and parcel of any business house, the approach towards managing it successfully is attributed to team work. As this research paper pertains to Chennai, it is important to first gain a better understanding of the vulnerabilities and possible risks faced by this vibrant city. The following map presents a clear picture of the potential risk involved; the large number of water bodies in the city aggravates the chances of more flooding during the monsoon period. There are more than 600 hotels in Chennai ranging from 3 star to 5 star deluxe. These hotels are exposed to severe risk during the rainy season due to the water bodies. An important reason for the many instances of flooding is due to illegal encroachments on the rivers, lakes and water bodies for the past 40 years which affect the free flow of water and block the drainage of excessive water. In 1893, as per the city map of Chennai, there were 60 water Abstract: Chennai houses several water bodies-ponds, lakes, rivers, canals, wetlands, storage tanks and water reservoirs but most of them are beleaguered by encroachments and mounting piles of garbage. As a city on the east coast facing the warmer sea, the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has experienced many natural catastrophes/ disasters, such as the tsunami in 2004, particularly heavy rains and floods in 2015, cyclonic storms Vardah in 2016 and Ockhi in 2017, the frequency and intensity of all of which brought the city to a standstill. This exploratory study aims to investigate the safety and contingency plans, precautionary measures and preparedness to prevent risks to hotel guests and mitigate damages of the hospitality industry and immediacy with which it protects its people (guests and staff) and assets in the event of natural disasters and crises. A few popular hotels are selected for the case study analysis and their preparedness to face floods that pose a problem to tourists and hamper normal functioning is assessed. The study puts forward several noteworthy recommendations to the hospitality industry that will help them to be better equipped to tackle probable disasters and respond to any emergencies that are likely to arise in the future.
Asian Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2020
The Government of Puducherry is taking several new and noteworthy initiatives in developing and p... more The Government of Puducherry is taking several new and noteworthy initiatives in developing and promoting tourism by collaborating with stakeholders, revamping existing schemes to provide a further boost to the sector, recognizing the contribution of tourism as an agent and an engine for SocioEconomic growth of the territory through various programmes and initiatives. Though Puducherry is a well known tourist destination in India, it cannot boast only upon its natural and created resources of tourism to cater to the needs of the diversified tourists. The Government's assistance is of vital importance. Thus, this research paper analyses the key initiatives taken by the Government of Puducherry in promoting Tourism and presents the abridged account in a lucid narrative style. In this study, the Government's commitments to upgrading existing facilities, natural resource conservation and neo-projects are gleaned out more clearly. Rich theoretical inputs knitted with essential primary and secondary sources makes this paper an interesting one that adds newer finding to the existing literature.
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations, 2019
The accommodation business is an impressive and equally a challenging industry. All things consid... more The accommodation business is an impressive and equally a challenging industry. All things considered, the board graduates must be knowledgeable in principle just as down to earth. Be that as it may, the pre-necessities of the executives graduate don't just include scholastics yet in addition the flawlessness of delicate aptitudes and the capacity to settle on choices at whatever point and wherever. Trainees will in general have immense trusts in their lives after school as hotel industry appears to depict a captivating world. Off camera, not every person is sufficiently blessed to have the option to get into the superstar life. In any case, many of them let go they had always wanted after the fulfilment of their perfunctory preparations. This article answers a portion of the significant inquiries like what is it that makes the understudies to flee from the business? Is it in light of the expanding rivalry or acknowledgment that the business isn't too charming? Or on the other hand is it that this age does not have what it needs to end up effective (Ready persistence and diligent work)?
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 2013
In the topical years, Tourism has gained colossal prominence and has been recognised and accepted... more In the topical years, Tourism has gained colossal prominence and has been recognised and accepted by the nations across the globe as a constructive instrument in strengthening the economy of a country, generating employment opportunities, as a knowledge provider and the finest entertainer to the aspiring tourists. Though tourists are experiencing variegated forms of tourism, recent trends have shown an incredible response to the destinations which have spiritual potential thereby promoting spiritual, religious and or pilgrimage tourism. Every destination in the world offers unique amenities to the tourists and not all offer a spiritual experience. Spiritual journey in a destination impacts internally and brings in a sort of therapy there by giving an exultant experience to the tourists. One such destination that offers a soothing spiritual experience to the tourists is Puducherry which is a Union Territory in South India. This paper attempts to glean the richly found spiritual elements that foster tourism in the destination and assays the after effects of the spiritual experience of the touristssequelling a holistic therapy. This qualitative research comprises rich theoretical inputs from various historical and current sources, data collected through field visits and interviews from tourists.
International journal of basic and applied research www.pragatipublication.com, 2018
India has emerged as a cultural hotspot of thought and philosophy. In a fast emerging era of mode... more India has emerged as a cultural hotspot of thought and philosophy. In a fast emerging era of modernization, technological development and globalization, the rise of intellectual powers and prowess in India manifested itself in focused themes and contexts that ignited the minds of all Indians. Right from pre-Independence to post-Independence, a surge of intellectualism swept across our nation paving the path for revolutions and reformations, leading to the progressive development of our country. Political pressures, economic emergence, princely dispositions, communal disparities andsocial dichotomy alike brought to lightthe extraordinary vision and insightful ideas of futuristic minds, world-renowned intellectual giants who awakened India from her stupor, sparked her potential and themselves went on to become acclaimed icons and role models for people the world over. India, with her dynamic history is renowned for the harmonious existence of diverse cultures, ancient traditions, a rich heritage and the distinction of being home to myriad of intellectual icons from different walks of life. Our motherland has from time immemorial been the repository of many religions espousing enduring spiritual values. India has garnered recognition as a holy land that bestows everlasting peace and joy, a utopia where a seeker's spiritual quest ends; down the ages she has nurtured an array of religious leaders and spiritual gurus. Once such personality, who was deeply involved in the Indian spiritual diaspora despite being a person of non-Indian origin wasMirraAlfassa-the spiritual collaborator of Sri AurobindoGhosh also fondly hailed as The Mother. This paper traces her stupendous transition in life, from a naïve girl to a spiritual narcotic. This paper also throws light on the sojourn of MirraAlfassa in Puducherry and her spiritual activities which lead to the formation of the unique, multi-cultural confluence site 'Auroville'-an International humanity center that has proved to the world that Indian traditions and values can make holistic living and peaceful coexistence possible, transcending all barriers of caste, creed, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion and politics. The contributions of this great spiritual leader made her very popular all around the globe with her work being carried forward to-date by all devotees, disciples and seekers of truth and a life of perfection.
The enchanting beauty of the union territory Puducherry, a vintage hamlet facing Bay of Bengal li... more The enchanting beauty of the union territory Puducherry, a vintage hamlet facing Bay of Bengal lies in its French touches that charm visitors, remnants of it having once been the largest French colony in India, is home to beautiful beaches, stately churches, spiritual centers, tree-lined boulevards, statues that dot the seaside promenade, French-inspired architecture, mouth watering culinary delights that are a blend of French and Tamil influences and street names that are more often "rue" than road. Pondicherry is well connected to the rest of the nation and can be easily reached by the commonly preferred modes of travel namely road, rail and air. This research paper analyses and presents each of these modes in detail and their availability in facilitating the tourists" inflow.
IJEP 35 (9) : 744-753 (2015) (The pulsating practises tangled in tourism, have sequelled a sheer ... more IJEP 35 (9) : 744-753 (2015) (The pulsating practises tangled in tourism, have sequelled a sheer paradigm shift in this current contemporary world. Tourism has been escalated from the sense of 'experience' to the platform of 'industry'. The tourists are seen to be 'consumers' more often than being 'normative'. Travel and tourism has become a vital need for people from different walks of life. This growing demand inundates the need for various tourism infrastructure and facilities , amounting to voluminous usage by the tourists. Eventually, the destination's environment is intervened and it suffers certain losses which cannot be compensated. Hence, environmental impact assessment is essential to understand the impact of a project. To discuss this theme, select environments from Puducherry-A popular tourist destination, at the shores of Bay of Bengal, southern part of India is taken for the study. The possible impacts of tourism projects on the chosen natural and built environment are studied. Based on the inferences, suggestions are drawn. This paper is carefully constructed using frequent field visits, observation techniques, interaction with the concerned authorities, archives , reports and reviews.
The continually growing travel and tourism industry in India has proved to be a huge economy boos... more The continually growing travel and tourism industry in India has proved to be a huge economy booster and plays a particularly critical role in the socioeconomic development of local communities. Rapid developments and advancements in tourism bestow innumerable benefits on the involved destinations. However, the actual potential and scope of tourism development in a particular area can be fully understood only after a thorough analytical study. In a bid to bring to light the significant elements that need additional attention for the promotion and development of sustainable tourism, the prominent historical tourist destination of Mahabalipuram, the city of architectural splendour situated on the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal, in Kancheepuram district, Tamilnadu, is taken up for this investigative research study. It enjoys the historic distinction of having once been a flourishing port city and an important center of art, architecture, culture, and literature in the 7 th century during the reign of the Pallava dynasty. Today, it is affirmably one of the city's iconic landmarks. As late as the 20 th century, the architectural magnificence of its historical monuments was duly recognized by the Government as one of the significant tourist destinations in the country and it was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1984. From the 1990s onwards, the Ministry of Tourism focused its attention and efforts on promoting tourism, highlighting the city's glorious heritage and rich culture. Every year, both State and Central Governments allocate a definite fund for developmental projects, aimed at improving the available infrastructure and providing better facilities in Mahabalipuram. In tandem with such commendable tourism promotion measures, it is suggested that the host community or the local residents are sensitized to the need to sustain tourism in this destination by emphasizing the important role they can play in accelerating tourism development. Tourism can develop and grow in leaps and bounds by connecting guest travelers with the resident hosts and facilitating their interaction. The potential outcome of such community-based tourism is a better understanding of the prevailing socio-cultural identity, the local traditions, indigenous lifestyle, skilled art and handicrafts besides the natural environment. Indeed, the very livelihood of many communities may depend on tourism. Increased tourist footfall will then, in turn, boost the economic growth of the region. This exploratory paper is construed using a systematic compilation of rich primary data comprising of field visits, surveys, observation inputs, Government reports, etc.
The antiquity of Tourism can be traced to the days of yore when man ventured out from his abode a... more The antiquity of Tourism can be traced to the days of yore when man ventured out from his abode and began travelling by foot far and wide in search of food, shelter and livelihood. Tourism is as old as man's evolution. Tourism draws together people from diverse backgrounds in the one common pursuit of travel, which transcends barriers of age,
The accommodation business is an impressive and equally a challenging industry. All things consid... more The accommodation business is an impressive and equally a challenging industry. All things considered, the board graduates must be knowledgeable in principle just as down to earth. Be that as it may, the pre-necessities of the executives graduate don't just include scholastics yet in addition the flawlessness of delicate aptitudes and the capacity to settle on choices at whatever point and wherever. Trainees will in general have immense trusts in their lives after school as hotel industry appears to depict a captivating world. Off camera, not every person is sufficiently blessed to have the option to get into the superstar life. In any case, many of them let go they had always wanted after the fulfilment of their perfunctory preparations. This article answers a portion of the significant inquiries like what is it that makes the understudies to flee from the business? Is it in light of the expanding rivalry or acknowledgment that the business isn't too charming? Or on the other hand is it that this age does not have what it needs to end up effective (Ready persistence and diligent work)?
The present world's mass tourism has regenerated itself, paving way for niche tourism that focuse... more The present world's mass tourism has regenerated itself, paving way for niche tourism that focuses more on qualitative tour experience than the volume. One such segment that pulls the tourists with alacrity is Garden tourism. This novel tourism yet novice have immense potential in spearheading green tourism in the arena of entertainment. This research paper interestingly, studies the tourism potential of a garden in Puducherry-'Le Jardin Botanique'. Frequent field visits, intricate interviews, rich theoretical inputs, accurate observations, etc. forms the base of this research.
I. Prologue Force Majeure or 'an act of God' refers to calamitous events that are witnessed all o... more I. Prologue Force Majeure or 'an act of God' refers to calamitous events that are witnessed all over the globe. Chennai too has had its share of extreme natural disasters such as earthquakes, tropical storms, cyclones, floods and heat waves most of which have not only been frequent but also powerful enough to cause extensive damages and a heavy toll on life and property. The death statistics have been alarming and damages have been widespread despite relief, rescue and rehabilitation measures being deployed in full swing. The sheer scale of the disasters has made the task of rebuilding the beleaguered city a mammoth task. A few developed countries have well devised strategies to address the challenges posed by the natural disasters in a scientific way ably assisted by technology but developing countries are the worst-hit as they are already grappling with problems of inadequate infrastructure, vulnerable local communities, slow economic growth, and developmental challenges like poverty and unemployment; they are ill-equipped to deal with the additional burden of natural catastrophes. The problem is compounded by the fact that natural disasters often strike when least expected, with hardly any warning and little time to prepare to face the catastrophic consequences. This research paper aims to analyze the initiatives taken by luxury hotels to tackle the problem of natural disasters such as floods, to protect its elite guests on-board from any sort of discomfort and ensure their safety and security during challenging times. To better understand the prevailing level of natural disaster preparedness, the metropolitan city of Chennai is chosen as the study area in general and a few top-notch luxury hotels of the hospitality sector in particular are chosen for an in-depth investigation. II. Foray into the Forefront Weather events that leave in its wake negative outcomes of loss of human life and damage to property are termed as risks [1]. Apart from the weather, fire, financial and other calamities are also classified as the key risks endemic to the hotel industry. Though risk is part and parcel of any business house, the approach towards managing it successfully is attributed to team work. As this research paper pertains to Chennai, it is important to first gain a better understanding of the vulnerabilities and possible risks faced by this vibrant city. The following map presents a clear picture of the potential risk involved; the large number of water bodies in the city aggravates the chances of more flooding during the monsoon period. There are more than 600 hotels in Chennai ranging from 3 star to 5 star deluxe. These hotels are exposed to severe risk during the rainy season due to the water bodies. An important reason for the many instances of flooding is due to illegal encroachments on the rivers, lakes and water bodies for the past 40 years which affect the free flow of water and block the drainage of excessive water. In 1893, as per the city map of Chennai, there were 60 water Abstract: Chennai houses several water bodies-ponds, lakes, rivers, canals, wetlands, storage tanks and water reservoirs but most of them are beleaguered by encroachments and mounting piles of garbage. As a city on the east coast facing the warmer sea, the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has experienced many natural catastrophes/ disasters, such as the tsunami in 2004, particularly heavy rains and floods in 2015, cyclonic storms Vardah in 2016 and Ockhi in 2017, the frequency and intensity of all of which brought the city to a standstill. This exploratory study aims to investigate the safety and contingency plans, precautionary measures and preparedness to prevent risks to hotel guests and mitigate damages of the hospitality industry and immediacy with which it protects its people (guests and staff) and assets in the event of natural disasters and crises. A few popular hotels are selected for the case study analysis and their preparedness to face floods that pose a problem to tourists and hamper normal functioning is assessed. The study puts forward several noteworthy recommendations to the hospitality industry that will help them to be better equipped to tackle probable disasters and respond to any emergencies that are likely to arise in the future.
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