In 1980, the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) launched the celebration of an annual World Tourism Day,which was fixed for September 27. The emphasis has been on the promotional aspects of tpurism, in search of new modes and new regions. While the industry celebrates, concerned groups and communities choose

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to highlight the impacts of mass tourism on this very day. One of the issues of concern is the plight of the local host community, especially in relation to its land and economic activities, that is threatened by the infrastructure requirements of mass tourism. The impact of these developments on tribal and coastal communities is the focus of tourism studies and research today. Another area of grave concern globally is the degradation of nature by uncontrolled mass tourism through fashionable modes of tourism such as eco tourism, adventure tourism etc. One more victim of tourism in areas with this kind of tourism is wildlife.

Researchers are of the opinion that participation of the local community in tourism activities is essential to make tourism more equitable. The planners must ensure active participation of the community in planning and implementation of tourism projects and make it an equal partner in sharing benefits. It is with these concerns in mind that we have brought out a poster in sharing observe the World Tourism Day on September 27. This was concieved and painted ny our colleague Dhanraj Keezhara. It is the first in a series of paintings on the impacts of mass tourism.