PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA: A SWOT ANALYSIS

Abstract

One of the fastest-growing global industries, tourism, nowadays contributes significantly to economic development, cultural exchange, and employment generation. On the other hand, environmental degradation, cultural erosion, and economic inequalities have resulted from unregulated and mass tourism. An entirely new concept, ‘Sustainable tourism,’ is gaining popularity by generating economic growth while conserving natural and cultural resources, and ensuring social inclusion. India, with its diverse cultural, historical, and natural landscape, is becoming the epicentre of its rapidly growing domestic tourism industry. However, maximizing the economic benefits while protecting the environmental and social assets that underlie long-term competitiveness is becoming one of the major challenges of this industry. This paper examines the relationship between sustainable tourism development and economic growth from the Indian perspective. In addition, it also explores the significant challenges, prospects and opportunities of sustainable “tourism” in India and provides concrete policy recommendations like effective destination governance, financial support for community-based tourism firms, incorporating climate adaptation measures into tourism planning etc. These initiatives will be crucial in creating sustainable tourism as a cornerstone for resilient and inclusive economic growth.