IMPACT OF TOURISM ON THE LIFESTYLE OF LOCAL COMMUNITY IN THE SWAT VALLEY

Abstract

Tourism is an agent of change with multiplier impacts on socio-cultural, economic, and ecological systems and Cultural tourism is considered to be one of the engines for financial development, job opportunities, and foreign direct investments, contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a nation and territorial improvement. This study has been conducted to look at this relationship that how cultural tourism affected the local community. In this manner, the study was an effort to identify social changes and their impacts on the local community through cultural tourism in District Swat. The study primarily focused on the social changes/ impacts of cultural tourism and the attitudes of the local people in the development of the qualitative tourism industry. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were taken for this study. The study identified, that local people have more negative impacts in comparison to positive. In the same vein, local people expressed positive attitudes towards tourism and were in the good turn of qualitative tourism development in particular areas. It was proposed amid field visits, to have a superior educational framework, awareness about tourism, security, healing centers, and other facilities that could boost up tourism entries. Key terms: Social Change, Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Local Community.