Rural tourism in Himachal Pradesh in transition: Challenges for regional sustainability

Vikas Verma; Rakesh Ahlawat; Mandeep Ghai; Sajeev Bansal

doi:10.31893/multirev.2024010

Keywords:

Rural Tourism

Community-Based Tourism

National Tourism Associations

Regional Partnership

Abstract

To enhance the functioning of tourism, rural tourism plays a crucial role by involving the local community and creating alternative sources of income and employment in agricultural areas and mountainous (tribal) regions. This study aims to examine the state of rural tourism in Himachal Pradesh, utilizing document analysis, qualitative interviews with various focus groups, and engaging stakeholders in discussions. Recent challenges and trends in rural tourism in Himachal Pradesh were also assessed. Furthermore, the study evaluated the current marketing structure of Himachal Pradesh concerning rural tourism products. The key findings of this research highlight the need to establish a comprehensive framework for rural tourism at both the state and national levels, focusing on general guidelines and strategic aspects of rural tourism. Additionally, it suggests the implementation of integrated provisions in marketing and regional legislation, developed in close collaboration with local stakeholders.
References
1. BRO An Engineering Marvel in The Himalayas.
2. Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation (2019) Himachal Pradesh Tourism Policy, 2019. Government of Himachal Pardesh.
3. Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Himachal Pradesh (2008) Himachal Pardesh Homestay Scheme 2008. Government of Himachal Pardesh.
4. Fleischer A & Pizam A (1997) Rural tourism in Israel. Tourism Management 18:367–372.
5. Harnot SR & Verma RP (2004) Himachal at a Glance. Minerva Book House, Shimla.
6. Himachal Tourism ADB Assisted Projects. Himachal Tourism Official Website.
7. HPFD - Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (a) National Parks in Himachal Pardesh.
8. HPFD - Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (b) Wildlife Sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh.
9. Lane B (2009) The SAGE Handbook of Tourism Studies. The SAGE Handbook of Tourism Studies. SAGE Publications Ltd, London, pp 355–371.
10. Lane B (2012) Second generation rural tourism: Research priorities and issues. Proceedingsofthe Atas do VIII CITURDES: Turismo Rural em Tempos de Novas Ruralidades. Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal, pp 1021–1040.
11. Lane B &Kastenholz E (2015) Rural tourism: the evolution of practice and research approaches – towards a new generation concept? Journal of Sustainable Tourism 23:1133–1156.
12. OECD (1994) Tourism Strategies and Rural Development. Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, Paris.
13. Ropeway Projects in Himachal Pradesh RTDC.
14. Sharpley R & Telfer DJ (Ed by) (2002) The Evolution of Tourism and Development Theory. Tourism and development: concepts and issues. Aspects of tourism. Channel View Publications, Clevendon : Buffalo, pp 35–80.
15. UNESCO (2015) UNESCO and Sustainable Development Goals. UNESCO.
16. Wilson S, Fesenmaier DR, Fesenmaier J & Van Es JC (2001) Factors for Success in Rural Tourism Development. Journal of Travel Research 40:132–138.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Verma, V., Ahlawat, R., Ghai , M., & Bansal, S. (2023). Rural tourism in Himachal Pradesh in transition: Challenges for regional sustainability. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 7(1), 2024010. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2024010

[1] BRO An Engineering Marvel in The Himalayas.

[2] Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation (2019) Himachal Pradesh Tourism Policy, 2019. Government of Himachal Pardesh.

[3] Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Himachal Pradesh (2008) Himachal Pardesh Homestay Scheme 2008. Government of Himachal Pardesh.

[4] Fleischer A & Pizam A (1997) Rural tourism in Israel. Tourism Management 18:367–372.

[5] Harnot SR & Verma RP (2004) Himachal at a Glance. Minerva Book House, Shimla.

[6] Himachal Tourism ADB Assisted Projects. Himachal Tourism Official Website.

[7] HPFD - Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (a) National Parks in Himachal Pardesh.

[8] HPFD - Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (b) Wildlife Sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh.

[9] Lane B (2009) The SAGE Handbook of Tourism Studies. The SAGE Handbook of Tourism Studies. SAGE Publications Ltd, London, pp 355–371.

[10] Lane B (2012) Second generation rural tourism: Research priorities and issues. Proceedingsofthe Atas do VIII CITURDES: Turismo Rural em Tempos de Novas Ruralidades. Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Portugal, pp 1021–1040.

[11] Lane B &Kastenholz E (2015) Rural tourism: the evolution of practice and research approaches – towards a new generation concept? Journal of Sustainable Tourism 23:1133–1156.

[12] OECD (1994) Tourism Strategies and Rural Development. Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, Paris.

[13] Ropeway Projects in Himachal Pradesh RTDC.

[14] Sharpley R & Telfer DJ (Ed by) (2002) The Evolution of Tourism and Development Theory. Tourism and development: concepts and issues. Aspects of tourism. Channel View Publications, Clevendon : Buffalo, pp 35–80.

[15] UNESCO (2015) UNESCO and Sustainable Development Goals. UNESCO.

[16] Wilson S, Fesenmaier DR, Fesenmaier J & Van Es JC (2001) Factors for Success in Rural Tourism Development. Journal of Travel Research 40:132–138.

Abstract

References

How to cite