Equitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS) is a research, campaign and advocacy organisation charged with the vision of democratising tourism by upholding the principles of equity, justice and sustainability. It was founded in 1985 in response to understanding the impacts of tourism development and from 1990, particularly in the context of the opening of the Indian economy to study the impacts of newer forms of development like tourism on local communities and to understand – if they did really benefit from tourism. This question has been central to our work for the last three decades (www.equitabletourism.org). Our Society, Culture and Tourism programme aims to ensure that people’s perspectives and demands related to social and cultural needs, rights and concerns are highlighted and acknowledged by the tourism sector. Our work examines the interactions, issues and impacts between tourism and women, children, youth, adivasis, sexuality minority, dalits & the urban excluded. We endeavour to bring in their perspectives and demands related to social and cultural needs, rights and concerns in tourism and related legislations, policies and plans.

Through our engagement with women’s issues, we examine ways in which women can have greater access, control and ownership over livelihoods and natural resources as well as access to the benefits in the context of tourism. We endeavour to influence policy makers in order to evolve greater gender-sensitive models and policies for tourism. Babu S is Programme Coordinator of the Society, Culture and Tourism programme: babu.s@equitabletourism.org.