Economic empowerment through rural tourism: the case of Tarapith – a religious tourism destination in Birbhum District of West Bengal, India

摘要

In developing countries like India rural tourism can be harnessed as a strategy for upgrading the quality of life ofudthe rural poor . Although India is rich with potential tourism destinations distributed over remote corners of theudcountry, due priority has not been given to strengthening the tourism infrastructure of these destinations so thatudthey can attract domestic as well as international tourists. Yet, if properly managed, rural tourism can reduce theudexisting backwardness of the rural community by diversifying employment opportunities based on localudtourism assets. In the present study of Tarapith – a religious tourism destination of the Birbhum district in WestudBengal, an attempt was made to show the nature of economic empowerment that may be created through ruraludtourism. It was found that a significant impact of rural tourism upon local community was perceived by theudlocal people.