International Indexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0975-3486,(Print)E-ISSN-2320-5482, April- May (Combind),2013 VOL-IV * ISSUE 43-44

Research PaperGeography

Growth and Prospects of Cultural Tourism in North Bengal (W.B) India With Special Reference to Malda District : A Study of Tourism and Recreational Geography.
April-May ,2013 A B S T R A C T
This study aims at exploration of tourism, which acts to promote local economy, socio-cultural changes and life style of the people residing in and around the tourist locations in West Bengal. The purpose of this study is to explore the reasons for which the foreign and domestic tourists visit the destination for recreational and leisure purposes and also to gain experience from art, culture, lifestyle etc, which in turn create a tremendous impact on local economy. Nonurban tourism includes specific services which are comprised of different social systems and which has the focus on complementary elements of regional product.In a pilot survey, it has been observed that tourism in West Bengal has also improved its civic amenities like communication, sanitations, transport facilities and standard of living for the people in general. To have leverage on tourism potential, it is necessary for rural and urban tourism destinations of West Bengal not only to promote themselves but also analyze the needs, perceptions, preferences, and satisfaction of the tourists that it can provide. This paper emphasizes on the concept of tourism, different issues, challenges related to tourism as well as revaluing the effectiveness of development of socio economic condition of the under developed regions. The study aims to analyze the above issues with the help of a questionnaire of 200 respondents. The potentiality of tourism in the context of social development in particular and general is analyzed through Tourism Appraisal Model (TAM). It is therefore suggested that West Bengal tourism must develop its infrastructural facilities and promote its offerings in a sustainable manner which can explore newer avenues in relation to nature and open up its unexplored areas. Key Words: Tourism, Socio-cultural pattern of life, Issues and Challenges, TAM (Tourism Appraisal Model), Economic migrant.

* Abhijit Das

* CMJ University, Meghalaya

Introduction Tourism is now a booming and fastest growing industry next to the oil & jewelry industry. In the next few decades tourism will play a potential role in different fields like human resource, economic growth of a country, improve the wealth and productivity. Impact of tourism on rural India has a great potentiality because each and every village has unique culture, traditions, food habit, folklore, and craft, languages, etc all of which would be a great interest to the National & International visitors. Tourism turns the largest industry worldwide in terms of employment and gross domestic product. The tourism industry has been growing rapidly as well as changing at a fast pace. As more people are interested in spending their holidays in nature, ecotourism as well as rural tourism has become one of the segments of the tourism industry. This creates opportunities in areas characterized by natural attractions, wildlife and wilderness habitats, agriculture, farm stay, local craft, bird watching, local cuisines etc. Local communities may benefit in economic terms as well as create an employment opportunities and commitment to conservation and sustainable development. West Bengal is a land of splendid destination with rich cultural heritage, historical heritage, flora & fauna, spectacular beaches & mountains & wildlife. There are a few states in India with the variety that West

Bengal has offered. Tourism has various dimensions in various aspects like economic, social, demographic, technological, geographical, cultural, natural, and so many fields. The attractions of tourists have been growing up on the above stated types of dimensions. Tourism now has laid down emphasis on the rural areas. In the context of socio-economic objectives it is necessary to take vital steps which are constructive and positive. Tourism is also an employment oriented sector. It is estimated that hotel and catering sector provide more than 10% of the total employment generated by the tourism industry. There is an opportunity which supplies various goods, needed for tourism product may be in the position to open avenues of employment. World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates show that in 2002 travel, tourism related activities will contribute 11% to the world's GDP rising to 12% by 2010 .The industry is currently estimated to generate 1 in every 12.8 jobs or 7.8% of the total work force. This percentage is expected to rise to 8.6% by 2012. Tourism is also more than 255 million jobs or 10.7% of the global labour force (WTTC, 2002). Tourism o f Malda The District is situated between the Latitude and Longitude figures of 24040'20"N to 25032'08"N and 88028'10"E to 87045'50"E respectively. Chanchal, and Englishbazar is the headquarters station of the district as well as the Sadar subdivisio Malda, once the capital

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International Indexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0975-3486,(Print)E-ISSN-2320-5482, April- May (Combind),2013 VOL-IV * ISSUE 43-44

city of Bengal, lies between Pandua and Gaur, two other prominent cities of ancient and medieval India. The city however is comparatively very new in origin. It also once acted as the river port for Pandua. Today, Malda is the one of the important rail link of West Bengal, Malda offers visitors the tourism prospect of Gaur and Pandua. Gaur, being the capital city of three dynasties of ancient Bengal - the Buddhist Palas, the Hindu Senas and the Muslim Nawabs, is a city with glorious past. On the other hand, Pandua, the alternate tourism spot near Malda, is one of the prominent centers of Muslim monuments in Bengal. Malda also houses the Malda Museum, which has a vast collection of the regional architectural and anthropological specimen. A trip to Malda will be extremely beneficial for understanding the historical and cultural emergence of Bengal. Conclusion Results of this study indicated that residents have positive perception toward tourism. Regression analysis indicated that 93% and 92% of variation in residents?attitudes towards tourism development was determined by the sixteen variables which are depicted into two factors. Respondents believe that tourism have a role in the local economy at least equal to other industries. Similarly, respondents showed significant agreement about the advantages of increased tourism

(jobs and economic growth), as well as tourism positive influence on quality of life. This study emphasizes previous research findings. Additionally, the study findings provide a glimpse of residents? attitudes toward tourism in the study area (WB). It indicates that most respondents are favorable, at least initially, toward tourism. Particularly, the findings supported the positive attitude of residents? towards the cultural heritage tourism development in WB.This study has been conducted in the context of socio-economic issues, environmental issues, and sustainable livelihood issues. For this analysis the sample size was restricted to 200 respondents .Simple statistical tools are use for data analysis and interpretation. Two basic techniques are use observation and survey method. The questionnaires were developed with open-ended and close-ended questions. The questionnaire was personally administered with the respondents. Sources of secondary data collected were reports, articles, publications and other documents and websites. In the conclusion part discussed about data collected from diverse sources to draw ameaningful solution and figure out suggestion for promotion of tourism industry.

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