RURAL TOURISM AND IT’S IMPACT ON SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITION: EVIDENCE FROM WEST BENGAL, INDIA

This study explores rural tourism in West Bengal, India. Rural tourism promotes the local economy, socio-cultural changes and life style of the people residing around the tourist locations. This study explores the reasons foreign and domestic tourists visit this location for religious or recreational purposes. This tourism has created tremendous impact on the local economy, life style and socio-cultural changes among the rural people in and around this tourist destination. A pilot survey shows that rural tourism at this location improved civic amenities like communication, sanitations, transport facilities and standard of living for the people in general. This study assesses the impact of India’s National Tourist Policy 2002 as promoted by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, on this rural tourist location. Specifically in terms of economic growth, employment potential, livelihood and changes in life style of the local people.