Spiti is on the threshold of rapid change. Its isolation is over. The tourists are coming. Would they come with their values or leave them behind? Would the resulting interaction be positive or destructive as elsewhere? Would the values of Spiti be put on sale alongside its sights and sounds. This publication ideates towards a tourism strategy in Spiti based on an understanding of the tourism phenomenon; what is wrong with it and whether there is an alternative. It optimistically explores ways for the people in Spiti to take more control of tourism development and advocates approaches which begin with building awareness among hosts, guests, promoters and the government, doing an impact assessment, examining the effect on local resources, developing guidelines concerning carrying capacity and putting local control and legislations in place. The district of Spiti occupies the North-Eastern corner of Himachal Pradesh, India and is a high-altitude desert with very little rain, snow and vegetation but abundant in clear blue skies, high mountains and valleys. This beautiful place Spiti has managed to escape large-scale exploitation by the tourism industry by having been an ‘inner-line’ area. But, this disincentive has been removed in the summer of 1992 and Spiti could join the list of exotic locations that have been plundered for profits. Publisher: Equitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS) Contact: [email protected], +91.80.25457607 Visit: www.equitabletourism.org, http://www.equitabletourism.org/stage/readfull.php?AID=769