Impact Analysis of Rural Tourism: The Case of Ghandruk Village of Annapurna Rural Municipality Kaski

Abstract

Tourism is an investment which provides immense benefits to countries comparatively at a low cost. A brand-new concept of village tourism is where the guests are taken to unspoiled villages where tourists spend a few days living with the local people and being treated as honored family guests. The present study entitled on "Impact Analysis of Rural Tourism: The Case of Ghandruk village of Annapurna Rural Municipality" explains how tourism activity influenced the society who lived in the study area. The impact that is elaborated in this study is “Economic, Socio- Cultural and Environmental impacts”. Ghandruk village is a gateway to Annapurna base camp where hotels, tourism destinations are built. Every year national and International tourists visits the study area. This tourism activity affects the society. Those bring both positive and negative sides of economic, socio- cultural and environment. This study has taken explorative as well as descriptive research design and has analyzed both qualitative and quantitative approach. The research is located in Ghandruk. Respondents of this research were 20% of total households (total household 612). The primary data was collected through observation, interview, and questionnaire and focus group discussions with selected respondents. Likewise, Secondary data was collected through various sectors like annual reports, newspapers, articles, published and unpublished documents, books and relevant materials related to subject matter are used. The main objectives of the study are to analyze the economic and social impact of village tourism that has occurred in the study area. The advantages and disadvantages rose among economic, socio- cultural and environmental impacts. Educational status of sampled population is found to be satisfactory. Ethnic and cultural diversity is the main feature of this area. Agriculture is found as the main occupation of the sample population, where 72.36% persons are engaged in agriculture as a main occupation. Gurung cultural and traditional practices are unique. Medicinal herbs, rare wild animals, various kinds of wild animals, different kind of birds and plants falls, hospitable behavior of local people are the major sources of attraction of tourists in study area.