Emerging issues in tourism: Chennai, South India

Emerging issues in tourism: Chennai, South India 1 Contents Introduction of destination Tourist attractions History Lifestyle Beliefs and traditions Urban and cultural tourism SWOT analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Conclusion and Recommendations Bibliography Introduction of destination Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the heart of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, often referred to as the ‘Gateway to South India,’ it can be found on the south-eastern coast of India. With its strong transport and commerce links both nationally and internationally it has rightfully earned its status as the fourth largest metropolitan city in the country. It is a bustling city of 178-sq-km packed with diversity at every street corner. It boasts of not only a rich cultural and religious heritage, but also a historical one, where the mark of the British Rule is evident in the various recommended tourist destinations. Its population of a staggering 6.4million consists of citizens from the 7 different religious backgrounds, these not only include the 6 major religions, but also the rather surprising one known as Parsis. Additionally, the 4 languages of English, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam are widely spoken across the city. Tourist attractions Chennai being the spiritual hub and the keeper of South Indian artistic religious traditions has many awe striking sites to visit, alongside the more modern cosmopolitan developments of luxurious hotels, swanky bars, boutiques, clubs and restaurants. Marina Beach spanning a distance of 8.1 miles is the longest natural urban beach of the country and one of the most beautiful and second longest in the world. Fort St.George is possibly the most important landmark in Chennai’s history. It was built in 1644, by Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, the founders of Chennai and the officials of the British East India Company. It was the first place of British settlement and was also under French occupation for a short period of time. The Fort Museum, which was formerly opened in 1948, is the place where tourists will find fine collections of various artefacts from the colonial period of the country. The impressive collection includes medieval weapons, coins, original writings, and much more. Gandhi Mandapam spanning over 16 acres is the home of 10 memorials including those for Mahatma Gandhi, is a great attraction where visitors can see the beautiful carvings on the historical buildings and be a part of various festivals including Gandhi Jayanti. Between 9-10am every Sunday devotees of Shri Aurobindo gather to pray and meditate. There are a large number of temples, churches and mosques that hold great historical significance. These include Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Meenakshi Amman Temple, The Shore Temple, St Andrew’s Church, San Thome Cathedral, Luz Church, The Wallajah (Big) Mosque, and The Thousand Lights Mosque, to name just a few. The War Memorial of Chennai offers a glance into the heroic past of India. These are just a few of the renowned places to visit for an individual looking to immerse and enrich themselves with the cultural legacy of Chennai. History Chennai is said to be around 400 years old being the location of the East India Company’s first settlement – said to be officially founded in 1639. However â€Å"The Kapaleeshwarar temple, the Pallava Port and the Parthasarathi Temple of the 7th century are the effervescent facts to prove that the Chennai city has been present since the time immemorial† (Chennai.org, History of Chennai, Para 1). History accounts that the city was ruled by â€Å"well-known dynasties of South India, such as the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Vijaynagar kingdom.† (Chennai.org, History of Chennai, Para 1.) In 1522 Sao Tome port was built by the Portuguese. The Christian apostle St. Thomas also settled into the city and the positive impact of this is perhaps seen within the Christian community of modern day Chennai. The bustling city of Chennai that we see today is due to the influence of two merchants of the East India Company, Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, who set up the factory. In the 17th century Chennai was known by the name of Tondaimandalm, and a small village called Puzahl used to be where the military had their headquarters. The British held a strong position of power by mid-18th Century; this then led to the creation of Madras Presidency. The beginning of the industrial revolution in Britain ensured that Tamil Nadu also reaped the benefits; railways in the late 19th century allowed Tamil Nadu was able to establish strong networks with many important states and their capitals; this helped the growth of communication and business, thus leading to economic benefits. Chennai did not become the capital of Madras State until after it had attained independence from the colonial rule in 1947, it was then renamed Tamil Nadu. The city underwent another renaming ceremony in 1996 when the state government took the decision to change the city’s name from Madras to Chennai. The changes that Chennai underwent over the various centuries, soci ally, culturally, economically, and historically, is what makes Chennai one of the most unique, interesting and multi-faceted cities of India, giving it a unique selling point for the tourist industry to tap into and maximise the number of tourist visitors from all over the world. Lifestyle It is widely known that the people of Chennai live a simple and humble life, which is often said to be steeped in religious practices, superstitions and delicious traditional food. The people of Chennai are mostly described as being friendly, accepting of new people and extremely cultured and religious. It would not be a surprise to the eyes to find groups of people by the beaches at sunrise carrying out the ‘Suryanamaskar’ (Sun salutation). Religious festivals are celebrated with great pomp, filled with colour and vibrancy usually including everyone, not only from one street but neighbouring streets. The cost of living in Chennai is known to be amongst the lowest in the country, which allows for more economic comforts within a family household. Traditional arts including Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam are at the heart of the Tamil culture, and it wouldn’t be uncommon for at least one family member to play an instrument or be well versed in Sanskrit or enjoy a S aturday morning class in Bharatanatyam dance. Education is given the utmost value in a household as it is seen to carry the key to opening doors to a brighter future. This bustling city is the home to the biggest motor industry in India, with streets jammed with traffic and the Sea ports seeing daily imports and exports, seems to be the least likely place in which one could relax and unwind, but the Chennai lifestyle has ancient meditation engraved at its core, which could be the very reason why the Chennaiites are so chilled out and humble people. Beliefs and traditions Chennaiites are traditional minded people, who value their culture immensely and on a daily basis follow age old rituals with full faith and dedication. The women of the household traditionally carry out the early morning ‘kolam’, which is the drawing of patterns and waves on the entrance of the home. This is traditionally made of rice powder and said to welcome the auspicious into the home. Chennai celebrated many festivals both local and national. A couple of these are: Pongal:- This festival is celebrated in January for three days. It is the harvest festival of showing gratitude and offering thanks to Sun, Earth and the Cow. On this auspicious day families at dawn in their respective homes gather around a new earthen pot. As the pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity, a shout of ‘Pongalo Pongal’ reverberates in the air. Arubathimoovar Festival: Literally, Arubathimoovar refers to the 63 saints of Shiva idolized for leading exemplary lives of devotion and penance. Every year the bronze figures of these 63 saints are carried in a colourful procession through the streets of Mylapore. Urban and cultural tourism â€Å"Today’s travel and tourism industry has grown into a global economic powerhouse whose combined direct and indirect impact on the world economy, according to the World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2012 was US$1.2 trillion; 260 million jobs; US$70 billion in investment and US$1.2 trillion in exports.† (Fuller, 2013)Over the next 10 years travel and tourism industry has been predicted to grow by 4.4% on average each year. These figures exceed the growth of any other sector and other industries like retail and public services. A number of factors are fuelling this growth, and the demand for the travel and tourism destinations is growing. Sociologist highlight that the biggest factor is said to be the growing middle class across the globe, especially in countries like Russia, India and Brazil. It has been predicted that over the next 1-2 decades this middle class band will continue to increase, which in turn will increase the number of people wishing to travel ar ound the globe. There are several countries which are popular tourist destinations, these being France and USA, with India not far behind as the 11th fastest emerging destination worldwide, with a 6.4% growth predicted between the years 2014-2024. The modern world is seeing a boom in the travel and tourism industry like never before; in 2013 the online travel bookings revenue worldwide had raked in $34bn. The Global international tourism revenue stood at a whopping $1,159bn. Global hotel industry totalled at $457bn. Cultural tourism has been defined as the â€Å"subset oftourismconcerned with a country or regionsculture, specifically the lifestyle of the people in those geographical areas, the history of those people, their art, architecture, religion(s), and other elements that helped shape their way of life.†(Wikipedia 2015, Para1.) Its focus is to allow the tourists to gain a realistic experience of the destination’s cultural heritage, along with the other attributes mentioned in the quote, whereas urban tourism looks solely towards marketing the history and the landmark of the city to increase business. Research reveals that cultural tourism is somewhat in its infant stage, where many countries have been working hard to nurture it and market it on a global platform, as they have realised the revenue it provides for their cities, on the other hand urban tourism is somewhat in its mature stage of development. However, the increase in global capitalism and consumer awareness along side the development of modern technology has allowed it to be bought into the limelight and government alongside sociologists are conducting deeper research into trends and gathering statistical data, to utilise for domestic fiscal gain. Where the development of such tourism is beneficial there are some practical issues that can hinder the development of urban and cultural tourism. These are the planning process for the infrastructure and the government’s approach to this. The various people and the roles they will play on a governmental level. Then there is the organisation of the relationship between public transport and the travel industry. Furthermore what may seem like a menial, job of signage in and around the city, is a vital element for the satisfaction and ease of a visitor. It is important to know and further analyse the behaviours of the tourists and what destinations would be more economically viable to invest in and maintain. There could be obstructions with traditional values and corporate cut throat approaches when it comes to making a cultural heritage landmark a tourist attraction. Many countries are employing various strategies to ensure that they continue to be innovative and gain the benefits from the industry. Cities are evaluating the access to the destinations and attractions. They are creating marketing strategies to ensure maximum exposure to the public, and furthermore analysing the cultural barriers that may exist for tourists to visit certain destinations. To ensure that there are no oppositions from the locals, governments are also looking into the economic benefits the communities can also gain from such developments, thus making it an attractive proposition. Chennai is no exception from such investments and strategic planning. It is important to note the advantages and disadvantages to the growth of urban and cultural tourism within a city. Table 1: Merits and Demerits SWOT analysis Carrying out a SWOT analysis would be beneficial and most suitable, in order to distinguish the key values and impacts of tourism in Chennai. Strengths Chennai has many strong attributes which make an attractive tourist destination. The city and its people pride themselves in the retention of strong cultural and religious heritage, which allows tourists to gain an authentic experience. Bhartnatyam and Carnatic music are two of the cultural legacies, which can be enjoyed at the many concerts available by renowned artists. Chennai has been able to balance the modern western influences well with its traditional values and beliefs. Whilst keeping up with the modern world. Visitors can find many tourist attractions and beaches, which can be enjoyed in the hot weather that Chennai sees all year round. A varied cuisine, due to the mix of cultures again allows the visitors to have a choice whilst retaining authenticity. The Automobile industry is very attractive for those wishing to settle there as there are plenty of job opportunities. There is a steady stream of revenue for the city enabling economic stability allowing for standard of liv ing to be maintained. Domestic tourism is strong and on the increase. Chennai has a strong transport network utilising all three modes rail, sea, and air. With strong links both nationally and internationally. Weaknesses Despite many positives Chennai has two core areas it needs to invest in as this could have a grave impact on the attraction and retention of the number of tourists visiting. One being safety; it is a real issue within the city as many tourists do not feel safe on the public transport, especially females. Additionally, the government must make investment in the maintenance of sewerage and drainage seriously- this poses a critical problem as it can easily make a tourist destination unattractive, thus lose tourists and damage the economic benefits. Opportunities There is still scope for improvement and growth in Chennai and this could be done with strategic marketing within the tourist industry. These could include catered holiday packages with specific design, these could include: pilgrimages, cultural site tours, spiritual breaks with particular focus on meditation and yoga, education perhaps in the arts, water sports at the beaches and lastly there is a strong scope for medical tourism, which is one the rise globally. Threats The biggest threat Chennai faces are the growing number of slums. There is a lack of investment in infrastructure and maintenance of heritage places, which would not make the destinations attractive. Traffic air pollution, filth leading to health issues taking away the beauty of attractions and beaches. The use of cameras prohibited in various attractions, as it is considered an act of sacrilege, can put tourists off. There is a gap in investment in the development of roads to the more rural areas, which could be a source of revenue. Low standard of local transport and pickpockets also pose a threat to Chennai being an attractive destination. Conclusion and Recommendations Chennai is one of the most beautiful cities in the South with a great deal to offer. It has a range of tourist attractions. It is vibrant and colourful; jam packed with authentic cultural and traditional values and rituals which are still upheld by the locals of the city. Chennai has come a long way from where it was 5 years ago within the tourist industry. There were clear shortcomings, where information of tourist attractions was not strategically marketed and the resources and natural landmarks were not used to the full capacity to benefit not only the industry, city, but also the local people. For Chennai to ensure that it reaps the rewards of the rapidly growing global tourist industry it may be in their best interest to make some enhancements and fundamental changes. The government needs to commit to cleaning the city up, in terms of sewage and drainage, but also the investment is needed to solve the ever growing slums in the city. Security to be enhanced by providing tourist only buses for those travelling in groups. The government needs to make if economically beneficial for the city to continue to retain its cultural heritage and not lose this for commercial commodity. Lastly in order to allow the tourists to experience the real Chennai steeped in history, culture and traditional values they must continue to invest in the renovation and preservation of the heritage and tourist sites, to ensure the attainment of benefits for the long term. Word Count: 2,748 Bibliography Culture of Chennai. Available from: http://www.chennai.org.uk/chennai-culture.html Facts on Chennai. Available from: http://www.chennai.org.uk/facts.html History of Chennai. Available from: http://www.chennai.org.uk/history.html http://www.chennai.org.uk/monuments/george-fort.html http://www.chennai.org.uk/tourist-attractions.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_tourism E. Fuller, Impact Of The Worlds Travel/Tourism Industry Adds Up To More Than A Walk On TheBeach, 2013. Available from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/edfuller/2013/12/03/impact-of-the-worlds-traveltourism-industry-adds-up-to-more-than-a-walk-on-the-beach/ http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Article/7858/Chennai-growth-stimulates-travel http://www.inpolis.de/inpolis-projektdetail_1_en.html http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/tamil-nadu/chennai-madras/things-to-do/top-things-to-do-in-chennai-madras https://sriramv.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/tns-tourism-revenue-peaks-but-what-about-chennai/ http://www.statista.com/topics/962/global-tourism/ http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/renovation-of-gandhi-mandapam-nears-completion-in-chennai/article5101635.ece http://tourism.gov.in/writereaddata/CMSPagePicture/file/Primary%20Content/MR/Pplan/tamilnadu.pdf Task 1 Student Name: Pankaj CTH Number: 78108

Probation Officers Essay

Probation officers work with criminal offenders, some of whom may be dangerous. They also monitor offenders to prevent them from committing new crimes. Workers in this occupation must meet many court-imposed deadlines and also travel, especially if they work in rural areas. Probation officers usually have to have a bachelor’s degree, but the requirement varies by agency. Officers who work in the probation system have various duties that keep their job busy. They evaluate offenders to determine the best course of treatment. They provide offenders with resources to aid in rehabilitation. Probation officers discuss treatment options and arrange those treatment programs for offenders. One of the main duties for a probation officer is to supervise offenders and monitor their progress. They conduct meetings with offenders as well as their family and friends. Then the most boring part of their job is to write reports on the progress of offenders. Probation officers are also associated with correctional treatment specialists since they both are relatively the same occupation. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work with offenders who are given probation instead of jail time, who are still in prison, or who have been released from prison. There are several types of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists. Probation officers, who are called community supervision officers in some states, supervise people who have been placed on probation. They work to ensure that the offender is not a danger to the community and to help in their rehabilitation. Probation officers write reports that detail each offender’s treatment plans and their progress since they were put on probation. Most probation officers work with either adults or juveniles. Only in small, mostly rural, jurisdictions do probation officers counsel both adults and juveniles. Pretrial services officers investigate an offender’s background to determine if that offender can be safely allowed back into the community before his or her trial date. They must assess the risk and make a recommendation to a judge who decides on the appropriate sentencing or bond amount. When offenders are allowed back into the community, pretrial officers supervise them to make sure that they stay with the terms of their release and appear at their trials. Parole officers work with people who have been released from jail and are serving parole to help them re-enter society. Parole officers monitor post-release offenders and provide them with various resources, such as substance abuse counseling or job training, to aid in their rehabilitation. By doing so, the officers try to change the offenders’ behavior and thus to reduce the risk of that person committing another crime and having to return to jail or prison. Both probation and parole officers supervise offenders though personal contact with the offenders and their families. Probation and parole officers require regularly scheduled contact with offenders by telephone or through office visits, and they may also check on offenders at their homes or places of work. Probation and parole officers also oversee drug testing and electronic monitoring of offenders. In some states, officers do the jobs of both probation and parole officers. Correctional treatment specialists, who also may be known as case managers or correctional counselors, counsel offenders and develop rehabilitation plans for them to follow when they are no longer in prison or on parole. They may evaluate inmates using questionnaires and psychological tests. They also work with inmates, probation officers, and staff of other agencies to develop parole and release plans. For example, they may plan education and training programs to improve offenders’ job skills. Correctional treatment specialists write case reports that cover the inmate’s history and the likelihood that he or she will commit another crime. When their clients are eligible for release, the case reports are given to the appropriate parole board. The specialist may help set up counseling for the offenders and their families, find substance-abuse or mental health treatment options, aid in job placement, and find housing. Correctional treatment specialists also explain the terms and conditions of the prisoner’s release, write reports, and keep detailed written accounts of each offender’s progress. Specialists who work in parole and probation agencies have many of the same duties as their counterparts in correctional institutions. The number of cases a probation officer or correctional treatment specialist handles at one time depends on the need of offenders and the risks associated with each individual. Higher risk offenders usually command more of the officer’s time and resources. The caseload size also varies by agency. Technological advancements, such as, improved tests for screening drug use, electronic devices to monitor clients, and kiosks that allow clients to check in remotely, help probation officers and correctional treatment specialists supervise and counsel offenders. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists must meet many court-imposed deadlines, which contribute to heavy workloads and extensive paperwork. Many officers travel to do home and employment checks and property searches, especially in rural areas. Because of the hostile environments probation officers may encounter, some must carry a firearm or other weapon for protection. All of these factors, as well as the frustration some officers and specialists feel in dealing with offenders who violate the terms of their release, contribute to a stressful work environment. Although the high stress levels make the job difficult at times, this work also can be rewarding. Many officers and specialists receive personal satisfaction from counseling members of their community and helping them become productive citizens. Although many officers and specialists work full time, the demands of the job often lead to their working much longer hours. For example, many agencies rotate an on-call officer position. When these workers are on-call, they must respond to any issues with offenders of law enforcement 24 hours a day. Extensive travel and paperwork can also contribute to their having to work longer hours. A bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field is usually required. Some employers require a master’s degree in a related field for candidates who do not have previous related work experience. Although job requirements may vary, related work may include work in probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, substance abuse treatment, social work, or counseling. Work in any of these fields is typically considered a plus in the hiring process. Most probation officers and correctional treatment specialists must complete a training program sponsored by their state government or the federal government, after which they may have to pass a certification test. In addition, they may be required to work as trainees or on a probationary period for up to one year before being offered a permanent position. Some probation officers go on to specialize in a certain type of casework. For example, an officer may work only with domestic violence offenders or deal only with substance-abuse cases. Officers receive training specific to the group that they are working with so that they are better prepared to help that type of offender. Most agencies require applicants to be at least 21 years old and, for federal employment, not older than 37 years of age. In addition, most departments require candidates to have a record free of felony convictions and to submit to drug testing and a valid driver’s license is often required. Being a probation officer or a correctional treatment specialist is a very important job for the justice department because some of the offenders who are returning to civilian life need help adjusting back from the prison life that they had been accustomed to for so long. Also, a probation officer is needed for the offenders who are not quite bad enough to be put in jail or prison. They just need to have an eye kept on them to prevent them from committing another violation or commit a more serious crime. Even though probation officers have offenders to monitor, they also have a ton of paperwork to record and keep for the offenders file. The officers have to be perceptive in noticing minor details in the offender’s behavior and overall attitude toward the situation they are in. Probation officers are a key asset for the courts to use and without them the justice system would not be able to function because the judges would have no other option than to send the offenders to jail or prison and that would overpopulate the already overpopulated jail and prisons. Bibliography http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/PROBOFF.HTM http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm#tab-4

Comparison: Supervision and Leadership

Compare and contrast supervision and leadership. How are they alike and/or different? Give examples that will help clarify the distinction. Leadership is the process of enlisting and guiding the talents and energies of teachers, pupils, and parents toward achieving common educational aims. A leader is someone who others consistently want to follow for new trends and ideas. A leader has followers that believe in the leader's overall vision and idea of a place. A leader manages a group and helps inspire them using their own strengths.The leader is responsible for the placing together the right people for the right Jobs. A person who oversees workers or the work done by others can be considered a supervisor. Supervisors are charged with managing others' performance, including conducting performance evaluations. A supervisor is a step above the lead position in an entity. â€Å"Under the law, a supervisor is any person with authority over you, in other words, any person who can direct y ou (the worker) as to when and how to do a task' (Ministry of Labor, 6).Sometimes the supervisor is the same person you call the boss. Their position is behind the scenes and they basically hold others responsible for the plans being implemented and developed. Ministry of Labor. (06, 2014 28). Employers and supervisors. Retrieved from http://www. Workstation's. Gob. On. Ca/scripts/ &mcategory=health Else- You mention the concept of supervisors being the observers and monitors-I think this is a very good explanation of the roles that they play In the education system.Because supervisors are not exactly hands-on, they do a lot of their observations with check lists and rubrics. They are responsible for ensuring that curriculum Is being taught effectively and the monies and the budget for a school are allocated properly. A leader, however Is a person (or group of people) manages others with guidance to make them better at the Job they are Implementing. A leader has followers that belie ve In their vision. I agree with your statement about leaders being the ones who make their strengths known while helping other Identify theirs!

The Ethics Of Risk Communication - 1529 Words

There has to be a way or process by which officials communicate with the people about present, emerging and evolving risks that could impact their lives. This process is described by the term â€Å"Risk Communication†. Risk Communication is a process that flows both ways between the communicator and the recipients of the included message. Dr. Vincent T. Covello (1992) who is the founder and Director of the Center for Risk Communication defined Risk Communication as â€Å"The process of exchanging information among interested parties about the nature, magnitude, significance or control of a risk† (Covello, 1992). The sudden urge to communicate risk to people has been a result of legal and regulatory mechanisms regarding the community’s right to know.†¦show more content†¦However, Risk Communicators concluded that such communication could be most effective by querying how the message’s audience process and act on messages, resulting in the initiation of deeper research into the topic of Risk Communication. Baruch Fischhoff is a researcher who was one of the leading pioneers in the Risk Communication field. Fischhoff started researching and working on the Risk Communication field in the late 1970’s and built on earlier work and developed the following seven stages to implement on an audience for most effective communication, Fischhoff has been credited for identifying the Seven Evolutionary Stages of Risk Communication and Best Practices† (Fischhoff, 1995) Seven Evolutionary Stages of Risk Communication and Best Practices in 1995: 1. Get the numbers right. 2. Tell key publics what the numbers mean. 3. Explain what the numbers mean. 4. Show public they have accepted similar risks before. 5. Explain how risk benefits outweigh the costs. 6. Treat publics with respect; and 7. Make public partners with Risk Communicators. 8. Do all the above. Fischoff’s perspective that is reflected in the seven steps is supported by other researchers that believe in the consideration of society and culture of different publics as factors of effective communication. Understanding culture helps in understanding how