| dc.description.abstract | The tourism industry stands out as a vital economic engine, driving revenue
generation, job creation, and income growth. Recognized for its dynamic nature,
tourism is often hailed as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. Kerala has
made its way to the top of the tourism industry in the country as well as the entire
world by encouraging its people to venture and is a role model for substance use.
One of these initiatives that have transformed this sector in Kerala is the adoption
and practice of Responsible Tourism. These initiatives have not only improved the
sustainability of the tourism undertakings but also led to positive social and
economic changes in the area
In the case of Kerala, the indigenous people have always been left out when it comes
to the planning, proofing and development of tourist places and sub-products. This
shift provoked locals to opine that tourism is solely a business for rich people which
is why they choose to disengage themselves from it
Responsible tourism covers the various marketing strategies and activities that seek
to make tourism more ethical and sustainable. It aims to decrease negative social,
economic, and environmental impacts and increase the advantages that local people
have and their general wellbeing
While there has been a great deal of studies on tourism, there are not many studies
on responsible tourism. The necessity of the current research is self evident, as it
aims at evaluating responsible tourism and its role on the socio-economic
development of the state of Kerala.
This study addresses the gap by conducting systematic enquiry into responsible
tourism in Kerala through collecting primary data. At best, it would purely be an
expression of expectation and positive thinking seeking practical assessment of
processes and effects no matter how plausible would be responsible tourism efforts
in the state. The purpose of this study is therefore to address this shortcoming byexploring the perceptions and experiences of various stakeholders on the impact of
responsible tourism in Kerala and providing empirical evidence based on
responsible tourism. This study aims to assess the impact of demographic factors on
the choice and development of various forms of Responsible Tourism (RT) in
Kerala, investigate the determinants of occupational preferences among participants
in Responsible Tourism, analyze wage differences within the sector, and identify the
key determinants of wages. Additionally, it seeks to examine the level of community
participation in Responsible Tourism and the factors influencing this involvement,
evaluate the impact of Responsible Tourism on community development in Kerala,
and assess its overall effectiveness in improving the socio-economic conditions of
the local community.
This research work provides a stakeholder-oriented evaluation of the perception and
handling of responsible tourism practices in the state through comprehensive
understanding of the various target stakeholders. The results of this study can also
guide policymakers at the state level, as well as other community stakeholders in
Kerala and elsewhere in devising strategies which are more sustainable and
equitable in nature. Moreover, knowing what is effective and what factors determine
effectiveness, as well as which areas can be improved, the study provides a base for
the subsequent studies and strategies that aim at maximizing the effectiveness of
responsible tourism practices in the state of Kerala | en_US |
