Introduction
On World Tourism Day, the Chamba Tourism Department, in collaboration with Not On Map and the Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT), launched an innovative initiative called Digix (Digital Experience) Chamba Tales. This project aims to merge technology with tourism, allowing visitors to explore the historical richness of Chamba through QR codes placed at key sites. The initiative is aligned with sustainable tourism principles and aims to enrich the travel experience by providing detailed, accessible information about the region's landmarks.
What is the Digix Initiative?
The Digix Chamba Tales initiative is a digital tourism project designed to offer visitors access to historical and cultural insights via QR codes installed at significant sites across Chamba. Tourists can scan these codes using their smartphones to access written and audio information in both Hindi and English. The first site to implement this feature is the iconic Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple. Once scanned, the QR code provides detailed descriptions of the monument's historical and cultural significance. The system is also connected to the Book My Experience website, allowing tourists to deepen their understanding of Chamba’s heritage.
Significance of the Digix Initiative
The Digix initiative plays a crucial role in modernising tourism in Chamba by:
- Enhancing Accessibility: Through QR codes, historical information becomes instantly accessible to visitors without the need for printed materials or tour guides.
- Cultural Preservation: By providing detailed narratives of Chamba’s historical sites, this initiative ensures the preservation of its rich heritage for future generations.
- Supporting Sustainable Tourism: The use of digital platforms minimises the need for physical resources, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal emphasized that this initiative is part of a larger effort to digitise Chamba’s historic monuments, starting with the Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple. The initiative aims to make these sites more accessible to a global audience by providing bilingual content in Hindi and English, available through both text and audio tours.
What is Sustainable Tourism?
Sustainable tourism refers to travel practices that minimise the negative impact on the environment, culture, and communities while maximising the benefits for local economies and ecosystems. It is about ensuring that tourism contributes positively to the conservation of natural and cultural resources, without compromising them for future generations.
Significance of Sustainable Tourism
- Environmental Conservation: Sustainable tourism helps in protecting natural landscapes and reducing the ecological footprint of travel.
- Cultural Preservation: It supports the safeguarding of local traditions, art, and heritage, ensuring they are passed on to future generations.
- Economic Growth: By encouraging responsible tourism, sustainable practices can help boost the local economy while ensuring that the benefits of tourism are shared more equitably.
- Balanced Tourism: It helps manage tourist numbers and reduces pressure on popular destinations, promoting less crowded and more serene environments.
Benefits of the Digix Initiative
- Enhanced Tourist Experience: Visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Chamba’s historical sites with just a simple scan, making their experience more informative and engaging.
- Eco-Friendly: By reducing the reliance on printed materials and tour guides, the initiative supports sustainable tourism practices.
- Wider Accessibility: Offering information in both Hindi and English ensures that a diverse range of tourists can access and appreciate the region's heritage.
- Cultural Awareness: The initiative promotes greater awareness of Chamba’s historical and cultural significance, both nationally and internationally.
District Tourism Officer Rajeev Mishra highlighted the collaborative efforts of local organisations and the administration in developing the Digix project, noting that it offers a unique opportunity for tourists to interact with Chamba’s heritage in a modern, digital format.
Honouring Contributions to Tourism
Alongside the launch of the digital initiative, individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting tourism in Chamba were recognised.
- Prakash Dhami: Received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 40 years of dedication to promoting tourism in Chamba district.
- Akshay: A paragliding pilot honoured for representing India in national and international competitions and contributing to adventure tourism in Chamba.
- Gabdika Self-Help Group: Recognised for promoting tribal tourism through the Mystic Village, a community-based Gaddi tribal village. The village had previously been awarded by Outlook magazine for its innovative tourism development approach.
Promoting Chamba’s Traditional Handicrafts and Lesser-Known Destinations
One of the highlights of Chamba’s cultural identity is its exquisite handicrafts. The most famous among these is the Chamba Rumal, a hand-embroidered cloth that has earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Other notable crafts include traditional miniature paintings, metalwork, and wood carvings. As part of the World Tourism Day celebrations, students from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) showcased a project centred on Chamba’s traditional handicrafts. These handicrafts are an essential part of the district’s cultural heritage and continue to attract tourists interested in the region’s rich artisanal traditions. A project on the art of Kundi village was also presented, highlighting efforts to incorporate local art into the tourism experience.
In a meeting with stakeholders, including paragliding operators, hotel associations, and homestay owners, various strategies were discussed to bring lesser-known destinations in Chamba into the spotlight. The focus of this dialogue was to expand tourism beyond the more popular spots, helping local communities benefit from tourism while also offering visitors a more diverse range of experiences.
Promoting Sustainable Tourism
The Digix Chamba Tales initiative aligns with the global trend of promoting sustainable tourism. By digitising historical information and making it easily accessible, the initiative reduces the need for physical guides and brochures, contributing to a more eco-friendly tourism model. Moreover, the collaboration with local self-help groups, such as the Gabdika Self-Help Group, emphasises the importance of community-driven tourism, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are shared with the local population.
Conclusion
The Digix (Digital Experience) Chamba Tales initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing and modernising tourism in Chamba. By incorporating digital tools like QR codes, the initiative enriches the tourist experience, provides easy access to historical and cultural information, and promotes Chamba’s lesser-known destinations. It also supports sustainable tourism by reducing the use of physical resources and spreading the benefits of tourism across the district. As Chamba continues to embrace digital tourism, the initiative serves as a model for how technology and sustainability can coexist to preserve and promote cultural heritage for future generations.
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