The varying roles that EQUATIONS plays includes advocacy, centre for information resources, educator, watchdog, helping hand, publisher and producer of
materials

At the local level focus on a particular place or issue documents the tourism movement itself conduct surveys with local groups produce background material on particular situations facilitate scientific research on environmentaland related issues.

At the national level EQUATIONS identifies itself as an Indian group, not a global one EQUATIONS historical role is as a pioneer who put tourism on the agenda of the national development debate. EQUATIONS provides research and publications and is a resource centre.

At the international level Provide direct support for local action in South Asia Provide resources and information for local action elsewhere develop training and seminars for groups worldwide Participate integrally in the new global tourism structure when it emerges.

Information Collection and Dissemination Collaborate with local groups to collect information/inform them about parameters and standards Produce brief fact sheets in Basic English so they can readily be translated, and some in local languages Produce guidelines for assessing tourism from different perspectives.

Lobbying Make the concerns and interests of local communities visible Empower them to lobby for themselves and training Offer workshops on fundamental tourism issues. Provide "how to" sessions on: participatory research, communications (including how to publish a newsletter and present audiovisual programs), options for strategy (including legal options) Tailor each subject to the particular group’s situation and priorities. Monitoring Learn about hotels entering India, including their investments, corporate behaviour elsewhere, and structures. Monitor tourism policy, and legislation which will affect tourism issues Network with others who can be "eyes and ears" Follow global development that affect tourism Produce an annual audit showing how tourism in India is faring, from a critical perspective. The EQUATIONS Team