Impact of Natural Disaster on the Tourism Possibilities Case Study of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

In both India and globally, all three sectors play pivotal roles in GDP production. The service sector, among them, has exhibited notable growth in recent years. An integral segment within the service and industrial domains is the tourism industry, which has flourished over an extended period, presenting ample opportunities for related sectors. India's economic advancement has significantly benefited from its thriving tourism industry, which attracts a substantial influx of domestic and international travelers for both business and leisure purposes. Beyond contributing to the revenue of towns and nations, tourism fosters local employment opportunities and showcases India's rich heritage sites, festivals, and natural landscapes, all of which are highly esteemed by visitors. For numerous years, natural and human-induced disasters have adversely impacted the nation's tourism sector. People bear the brunt of these calamities, experiencing severe disruptions in their social and economic lives. The states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, known for their vibrant tourism industry, fall within India's disaster-prone zones. A robust economy is vital for the tourism sector, which is relatively susceptible to fluctuations, to flourish. The response of the tourism industry to such disasters underscores its vulnerability to abrupt changes in the local economy. This thesis underscores prior research indicating that both natural and human-induced disasters can detrimentally affect employment within the tourism sector. Focusing predominantly on economic ramifications, the paper delves into disasters occurring over the past two decades, with particular emphasis on the significant impact of the 2023 floods in Himachal Pradesh, which reverberated across northern India. Seniors' exposure, sensitivity, and capacities when combined with potentially dangerous situations might severely impair their ability to function normally. It affects people in a socioeconomic, psychological, and physical way. The Depending on their age group, the disaster's impact could be different in degree.