Host Community’s Perception Towards Socio-Cultural Impacts of Tourism: an anthropological study of host destinations of Kashmir

Abstract

The study endeavors to know the host community’s perception regarding the socio-cultural impacts of tourism in the tourist destination of Gulmarg. The present study adopted a quantitative approach and distributed the questionnaire among the respondents of the study. The investigation is based on the findings of a survey of 147 residents of tourist destination. For descriptive statistics and factor analysis technique SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software was used. The unidimensionality (Confirmatory Factor Analysis CFA) of the identified factors was tested through AMOS. The findings of the study revealed that host community perceive positive socio-cultural impacts of tourism i.e. the host residents perceive that the tourism development is creating employment opportunities, improving local peoples’ incomes, and stimulating the local economy. Residents in tourist destination also agreed that tourism has improved security in their local communities and has preserved and conserved the local culture and traditions of the area. Furthermore, the findings of the survey revealed that host communities do not perceive any socio-cultural negative impact of the tourism development in the area. Therefore, the investigation will assist tourism planners and local government in the planning and implementation of tourism development strategies for the area aiming at consolidating local residents’ support for tourism. Key words: Socio-cultural impacts; Host community; Tourism.