Rural Tourism in India: Prospects and Impact Rural tourism has the potential to benefit rural communities economically and socially. It can generate income and jobs for villagers, boost local handicrafts and culture, and help preserve the rural environment. However, rural tourism also faces challenges like a lack of capital, skills and coordination among stakeholders. If developed sustainably, it can reduce rural poverty and migration to cities while promoting cultural exchange and environmental conservation in Indian villages.

1. Rural Tourism in India: Prospects and
Impact
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Title-:
Rural Tourism in India:
Prospects and Impact

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Rural Tourism in India : Introduction
 India has a stronghold for Rural Tourism since rural India is the backbone of Indian society and economy.
 There are nearly 7 million villages across the country and each village has a distinctive culture and craft,
which is different from that of its neighbor.
 If the economic revolution comes to India then its base is in the plans which are made for rural areas. Rural
Industry, Handicrafts, traditional art and fairs and festivals of our villages may become the base for
development. This may lead towards self sufficiency in our villages.
 The concept revolves around visiting village settings to experience and live a relaxed and healthy lifestyle.

4. Objectives of Studying Rural Tourism –
 Rural Tourism concept and principal .
 To Understand the potential of Rural tourism.
 Identify the impacts of Rural Tourism.
 To Study Govt. projects of Rural Tourism.
 To Identify the challenges in Rural Tourism.
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5. Definition
Any form of tourism that showcases the rural life,
art, culture and heritage at rural locations, thereby benefiting the local
community economically and socially as well as enabling interaction
between the tourists and the locals for a more enriching tourism
experience can be termed as rural tourism.
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6. Concept of Rural Tourism:-
Development of rural tourism is now its nascent stage. The complexity of attractions makes
it difficult to draw an exact definition. However, Lane B (1994) gives a framework.
In his view rural tourism should be
• Located in rural areas.
• Functionally rural i.e., small scale enterprises, open space, natural contact, heritage,
traditional and societal practices etc.
• Rural in scale. The rural appeal i.e., peace, solitude, lifestyle, nature, scenery, recreation and
adventure.
• Traditional in character.
• Take different forms representing the complex pattern of rural environment, economy, history
and location.
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7. Contributions of Rural Tourism Industry :
 Community development
 Rural Tourism Increase Income and Jobs and
Enrich Their Life
 Economic development
 Developing Rural Production, Diversifying Elements of
Tourism
 Infrastructure development
 Restoration of culture
 Preservation & Improvement of Environment
 Promotion of harmony and understanding
 The Promoting the Local Custom Civilization
 The Village Accommodates Improve Tourism
Environment
 Revenue Generated
 Tourist Arrivals
 Sustainable project
 Increases local people involvement and participation
 Helps prevent rural – urban migration.
 Boost local handicrafts, painting ,performing arts ,dance
forms etc. Promotion of harmony and understanding
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8. Sites for Rural Tourism
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 Around 36 villages have been identified in 20 states across India where visitors can
enjoy life’s simple pleasure in rural setting
 These have been identified under the Endogenous Tourism Project Scheme
 The basic objective is to facilitate capacity building, thereby enabling low-income
village communities to create and use their skills from within
 A maximum amount of Rs. 50 lakhs would be sanctioned for each project by the
Ministry to develop infrastructure like water facilities, sewerage, tourist reception
centers and sanitation

9. Site State
Pochampalli & Srikalahasti Andhra Pradesh
Sualkuchi & Durgapur Assam
Nepura Bihar
Chitrakote & Nagamar Chatisgarh
Hodka Gujarat
Jyotisar Haryana
Naggar Himachal Pradesh
Banavasi Karnataka
Aranmula & Kumbhalanghi Kerala
Chaughan & Pranpur Madhya Pradesh
Suibajran – Khullabad Maharashtra
Pipili & Raghurajpur Orissa
Rajasansi Punjab
Neemrana, Samode, Haldighati Rajasthan
Laachen Sikkim
Karaikudi & Kazhughumelal Tamil Nadu
Kamlasagar Tripura
Bhaguwala Uttar Pradesh
Jageshwar & Mana Uttaranchal
Balabhpur Danga & Mukutmanipur West Bengal

10. Typical Components of a Potential Rural Tourism Village
Arts & Crafts
•Showcase
•Learning
Culture
•Dance/ drama
•Local festivities
Adventure
•Local sports
•Other activities -
fishing etc.
Heritage
•Monuments
•Forts etc. converted into
acco.
Experience
•Rural lifestyle
•Farming
…...Infrastructure , Connectivity and Sanitation - The Key Issues

11. Benefiting the Stakeholders : Key to the Success of the Model
Destination
Local agencies
-Tour guides
-Local transport(buses, cabs,
taxis)
-Local food/ accommodation etc.
Direct Involvement & benefits to the Local Community
Local community
-Villagers
-Farmers
-Artisans/ Craftsmen
-Local trading - Shopkeepers,
etc.
Government
Local Administration / Gram Panchayat/ Dist level administration (security, municipal
facilities etc.) ;
Forest Dept
Tourism departments (corporations / boards)
Department of Culture / Heritage / Arts & Crafts
Special Agencies (ASI etc.)
Roads Department (for providing linking roads & maintaining them)
Railways
Transport department (state transport undertakings, private buses, taxies) ,etc.
Service agencies
-Travel agents
-Transporters (air, road, rail)
-Hotels/ Restaurants, etc.
Others
-Investors
-Environmentalists
-NGOs
-Training agencies, etc.

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Rural tourism had both positive and
Negative in our society.
Positive Economic Impact –
• Create employment especially for the rural youth.
• Income level will rise.
• Generate foreign exchange.
• Demand for other goods and services will increase.
• Improvement in the public services.
• Generate revenue or the government.
• Modernization of agriculture and other rural
activities.
• Local small businessman will be benefited.
Negative Economic Impact –
 Creates part-time, seasonal or low-grade
employment
 Incurs development costs and public service costs
 Local artisan may not get benefited
 Due to competition the local handicraft and farm
produce products will be sold at lower price
 Increase in the price of local agro products.

13. Positive Socio-cultural Impact –
• Education and health of the rural community will
improve
• Provide higher standard of living or the rural people
• Cultural understanding through fairs and festivals.
• Exchange of cultural beneficial for both.
• Foreign tourist will bring cultural change faster.
• Reduce migration of rural people to urban areas.
• Market for agro products and handicrafts will
develop in rural areas farmers and artisans will
develop a direct contact with the customers.
Negative Socio-cultural Impact –
• Modernization can affect their traditional values and
cultural practices.
• Traditional products will be replace by modern
products.
• Rural people may shift from traditional business to
tourism activities.
• Decline in participation in rural traditional and
cultural practices follows.
 Inflation rises
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Positive Environmental Impact –
 Help in create and maintain the natural park.
 Learn the importance of preservation of natural resources.
 They will learn to use modern tools and technology.
 They will learn to preserve the natural habitats, bio-diversity historical monuments
 Provides income for conservation of buildings and natural environment
Negative Environmental Impact –
 Increases pollution (noise, visual, air, water, litter)
 Affects local biodiversity
 Development of infrastructure may distort the natural beauty.
 Huge number of visitors may exploit the natural resources
 Natural ecology will be disturbed.

15. Current Challenges to Rural Tourism
• Lack of capital
• Lack of clear government legislation
• Low level skill development
• Lack of linkages between micro, small and medium enterprises
• Lack of business opportunity awareness and financial institutional support
• Lack of commitment by the public sector
• Corruption and mismanagement of key development institutions
• Give quality standards of services at all levels
• Share information to make better business decisions.
• Set environmental policy goals
• Collaborate on information requirements
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16. •Thanks…
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