Strengthening sociocultural exchange between communities in Switzerland and Indian tourists trough sociocultural animation: A means to promote ecotourism, environmental education and cultural values

Strengthening sociocultural exchange between communities in Switzerland and Indian tourists through sociocultural animation – A means to promote ecotourism, environmental education and cultural values In Switzerland, tourism is strongly correlated with the existence of heritage assets, which include a clean, well-kept environment and landscapes of exceptional beauty. This paper attempts to explore mainly: 1.Whether the natural environmental serves as cultural heritage; and 2. What is sociocultural animation and how it may be used in tourism, especially with regard to promoting awareness of environmental management among primarily Indian tourists and the local public. Switzerland is a global tourism brand with heritage assets of both cultural and environmental value. The economic wealth of the country, combined with a democratic system and management capability, has allowed the country to become one of the most “green” in the world, to the extent that being green has become part of the culture of the country. India has huge environmental problems. Its urban air is heavily polluted as are all the rivers. The Indian government is inviting partners to help clean its rivers and environment. Beyond the politics of global environment, there is a lot that can be done to animate environmental education for the public and the tourists to promote environmental friendly living and tourism. Ideas for using sociocultural animation for promotion environmental education include: short seminars at touristic environment heritage sites explaining how the ecology of the sites is being managed; animated educational shows at festivals where tourists and locals meet; and animated seminars at schools and sports meets. This paper argues that Switzerland can be a pioneer in using sociocultural animation to support environmental education in India via the tourists visiting the country. The issue environment will remain a major concern for a long time to come.