International Journal of Law and Business Studies (IJLBS)

Tourism and Economic Development in India: A Review of Sustainable Management Practices

Tourism has become one of the rapid growth industries that have made a significant contribution to the economic growth of India. The industry does not only create job opportunities and forex earnings but it also contributes to the development of infrastructure and cultural conservation. A high growth comes with its own challenges, though, as there is a need to ensure that the growth in tourism is sustainable in the environmental, social and economic context. The review paper will evaluate the connexion between tourism and economic development in India with regards to sustainable management practises. Based on the national policies, government projects, and examples, the paper outlines the successful models and the gaps, which remain open in the Indian approach towards sustainable tourism. The effects of the community-based tourism, eco-tourism and responsible tourism programmes on local economies are also discussed. Moreover, the paper identifies the policy frameworks, which include Swadesh Darshan Scheme, PRASHAD, and the Sustainable Tourism Criteria of India (STCI) and the impact they have on the sustainability. The results indicate that, even though India has done a commendable work in enhancing sustainable tourism, the issues of environmental degradation, poor stakeholder involvement and poor implementation of its policies are still impeding its potentials. The paper also concludes that integrated policy approaches, digital transformation, and more active involvement of communities are the key recommendations concerning sustainable tourism-based economic development in India.