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Neo-Vaishnavism, a platform aimed at developing community-based cultural tourism in the state of ... more Neo-Vaishnavism, a platform aimed at developing community-based cultural tourism in the state of Assam, holds significant potential to showcase the rich cultural heritage and religious practices of the region. Assam, located in northeastern India, is renowned for its deep-rooted spiritual traditions and historical importance as the birthplace of Neo-Vaishnavism, a unique devotional movement. Assam's Neo-Vaishnavism movement centres around the teachings of revered saint-scholar Srimanta Sankardev, who introduced a unique blend of spirituality, music, dance, and drama to disseminate spiritual wisdom among the masses. Neo-Vaishnavite monasteries, known as Sattras, serve as important cultural and religious centres, preserving and propagating the essence of this spiritual tradition. These Sattras also house invaluable artefacts, and manuscripts, and perform traditional art forms, making them ideal destinations for cultural tourism. The development of community-based cultural tourism in Assam requires a multifaceted approach. It involves collaborating with local communities, empowering them through capacity-building initiatives, and facilitating infrastructure development to ensure their active participation in the tourism value chain. By fostering cultural sensitivity and responsible tourism practices, neo-Vaishnavism as a platform can contribute to the economic growth of the region while preserving its cultural fabric.
Tourism is a major global industry with significant economic impacts, contributing approximately ... more Tourism is a major global industry with significant economic impacts, contributing approximately $8.9 trillion to global GDP in 2019, which represents about 10.3% of the total GDP. The sector also supports over 330 million jobs, or 10% of global employment (WTTC, 2020). This highlights tourism's crucial role in economic development, particularly in areas rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage.
In the last couple of decades, it has been observed that most of the progressive countries are lo... more In the last couple of decades, it has been observed that most of the progressive countries are looking at various measures to ameliorate the socioeconomic conditions of the rural masses residing in the rural sectors. A country like India being the second most populace in the world has more than half of its population inhabiting in the rural areas, in the villages, in poor socioeconomic environments. Agriculture being the primary occupation in India including in Meghalaya, however in the recent times it has been observed that this sector has become less lucrative due to various natural and man-made challenges. Tourism in rural areas can be a very significant factor which can positively influence regional rural development. Under the umbrella of Rural Tourism, Agritourism is a new niche tourism form which can catalyst significant development for the rural areas and the masses. This niche tourism initiative is based on a working farm or ranch, where farmers can have alternate earning options by effectively using the resources available and the tourist can also experience nature and village lifestyles at affordable prices. Meghalaya a pristine northeastern state of India with tremendous tourism potential is home to about 6400 villages and most of the rural habitants of these villages live in poor socioeconomic conditions, hence effective implementation of Agritourism practices supported by Government agencies and other tourism stake holders in these villages can be a game changer resulting in poverty alleviation and over all sustainable development of the area and the communities. This paper aims to highlight the significance of Agritourism for socioeconomic development for the rural masses and listing the various Agritourism activities and attractions, so that they can be promoted and marketed effectively to have steady flow of tourists and visitors throughout all seasons. Lastly the paper also aims to study the role of state agencies and local community stake holders to ensure that maximum benefits from Agritourism is routed to the rural areas and communities.
With the tourism boom and the simultaneous development of other sectors, the world is becoming ve... more With the tourism boom and the simultaneous development of other sectors, the world is becoming very accessible to tourist and thus creating pressure on the resources. To combat this onslaught, tourism stake holders and especially local communities needs to play a very crucial role to maintain the balance and there by encouraging sustainable responsible tourism practices so that these tourist centric places are good to live and visit. As compared to conventional tourism forms , Community Based Tourism (CBT) and Responsible Tourism (RT) initiatives have been linked with the holistic community development and preservation of the natural resources. In most of the rural tourism destinations CBT approaches has been measures of poverty alleviations for the rural folks and to empower the marginalised sections of society especially the women. Community based tourism initiatives also provides alternative sources of livelihood to the rural folks and thereby empowering the whole community and in reinforcing community attachment and local pride. Though many CBT initiatives have been initiated in the rural areas of Meghalaya with the help of the Directorate of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, and other tourism stakeholders. One village by the name of Mawlynnong in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya has been able to successfully operate and sustain the Rural tourism concept with the village community being the only stakeholder for more than two decades. Mawlynnong has become the prime hotspot in the tourism circuits for adopting CBT & RT practices. This paper attempts to study how CBT approaches plays an important role in overall development of a community with special references of the Mawlynnong village. The paper also emphasises on the importance of Responsible tourism practices, so that these places become good places to live and visit and thereby creating an enriching experience both for the tourist and the host communities.
Prior to the covid-19 pandemic the travel and tourism industry were considered the fastest growin... more Prior to the covid-19 pandemic the travel and tourism industry were considered the fastest growing industry and this sector has colossal potentials for economic development and reformations at the global context. Entrepreneurship paves the path of not only self-development but also inclusive economic growth of nations, especially the developing nations. Women throughout the ages, have contributed immensely to the tourism industry as an employee at various capacities however, women entrepreneurship in this sector has played and can play a pivotal role in self-development and empowerment in the developing economies. Meghalaya a picturesque state of the northeastern part of India and its unique traditional customary laws has become a popular area of study for many researchers. The state following the matrilineal society norms, makes it easy for the women from the major tribes, namely the Khasis and the Garos to empower themselves and be successful entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. With the lifting of the travel restriction due to the pandemic, the recent trends have shown increase of tourist foot fall in the state hence resulting in more women participation in the tourism sector and donning the role of entrepreneurs as tourism stake holders of the state. The study was conducted to understand the role of women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector and to highlight the challenges faced by them along with focussing on women empowerment through entrepreneurial practices and thereby influencing and motivating other women to participate actively in the tourism industry and be self-sustained.
Neo-Vaishnavism, a platform aimed at developing community-based cultural tourism in the state of ... more Neo-Vaishnavism, a platform aimed at developing community-based cultural tourism in the state of Assam, holds significant potential to showcase the rich cultural heritage and religious practices of the region. Assam, located in northeastern India, is renowned for its deeprooted spiritual traditions and historical importance as the birthplace of Neo-Vaishnavism, a unique devotional movement. Assam's Neo-Vaishnavism movement centres around the teachings of revered saint-scholar Srimanta Sankardev, who introduced a unique blend of spirituality, music, dance, and drama to disseminate spiritual wisdom among the masses. Neo-Vaishnavite monasteries, known as Sattras, serve as important cultural and religious centres, preserving and propagating the essence of this spiritual tradition. These Sattras also house invaluable artefacts, and manuscripts, and perform traditional art forms, making them ideal destinations for cultural tourism. The development of community-based cultural tourism in Assam requires a multi-faceted approach. It involves collaborating with local communities, empowering them through capacity-building initiatives, and facilitating infrastructure development to ensure their active participation in the tourism value chain. By fostering cultural sensitivity and responsible tourism practices, neo-Vaishnavism as a platform can contribute to the economic growth of the region while preserving its cultural fabric.
Over the past seven decades, the travel and tourism industry has experienced significant growth a... more Over the past seven decades, the travel and tourism industry has experienced significant growth and transformation. This evolution has seen a shift from mass tourism to alternative forms of tourism. Of these segments, cultural tourism stands out as one of the oldest and most enduring, consistently drawing a substantial number of tourists. Although the activities associated with cultural tourism have evolved to draw visitors, festivals remain a cornerstone of this segment. Globally, festivals are recognized as fundamental pillars of tourism activity and represent a rapidly growing sector. Festivals play a vital role in showcasing and promoting the cultural fabric of a destination. They play a key role in driving the growth of cultural tourism, supporting both economic prosperity and cultural enrichment. For tourists, cultural festivals offer an enriching experience, providing a deep dive into the cultural extravaganza of host communities. For local artists and artisans, these festivals provide an opportunity to exhibit their skills and craftsmanship, thereby deepening their ties to their cultural heritage. Meghalaya, a picturesque state nestled in the northeastern part of India, is endowed with stunning natural resources and a rich cultural heritage. The state's indigenous people, including the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo tribes, celebrate unique, spectacular, and vibrant festivals. Meghalaya has the potential to become the leading tourism hub of the northeastern circuit due to its cultural richness. This paper aims to explore the importance of festivals in promoting a destination's culture and to offer a comprehensive look at the diverse festivals observed in Meghalaya. Additionally, the study will examine how these festivals play a pivotal role in boosting tourism in the state and identify the socio-cultural benefits they offer.
The social and economic impact of the pandemic named COVID-19 is creating extreme outrage globall... more The social and economic impact of the pandemic named COVID-19 is creating extreme outrage globally, deterring the health, economic and social wellbeing of the people worldwide. Some studies project the mortality rates of men to be a little higher than women, but it is more than apparent that the women folks are facing unprecedented economic and social challenges due to the ongoing pandemic. Considerable number of women are part of the frontline workers especially in the health care workforce and are trying very hard and
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