The Impact of Rural Tourism on the Economic Growth of Rural Residents in Bangladesh: A Study on Melandaha Upazila in Jamalpur District

Nora Islam

doi:10.19044/esj.2023.v19n34p19

Nora Islam Lecturer, Department of Maritime Tourism and Hospitality Management, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Bangladesh

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2023.v19n34p19

Keywords: Rural tourism, Alternative sources of income, Socio-economic growth, Sustainable development, involvement of rural residents, Bangladesh

Abstract

The development of rural tourism can contribute to both socio-economic development and environmental benefits for the people within rural areas. It plays a vital role in society, fostering business growth, generating employment, and ensuring a better livelihood for rural inhabitants. Bangladesh is a land of natural beauty. Melandaha Upazila in Jamalpur District is a hidden treasure of natural beauties, enriched with colorful rural life, archaeological and historical sites, and cultural attraction. With proper care, this location could emerge as a prominent rural tourism destination in Bangladesh. This paper focuses on recognizing how rural tourism can be the best alternative of earning for rural people to minimize the dependency on seasonal work (e.g., agriculture, fishing, boating), create alternative sources of income, and ensure economic development as well as solvency through participation in rural tourism businesses. This study was undertaken to explore a secondary income source for rural people who depend on an agricultural-based economy. To test this assumption, a survey questionnaire was administered to identify whether the commencement of rural tourism can stimulate the economic growth of rural residents or not. This study identifies the major attractions and prospects of the rural tourism in this destination. Finally, this study also presents a SWOT analysis and suggests necessary recommendations for commencing rural tourism in Melandaha Upazilla.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

PlumX Statistics

References

1. Anucha Leksakundilok (2004). “Ecotourism and Community-Based Ecotourism in Mekong region”
2. APEC Secretariat (2010). APEC Publication number: 210-TC-03.2
3. APEC Tourism Working Group (2010). “Effective Community Based Tourism: A Best Practice Manual”; Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation: Sydney, Australia.
4. Budiningsih, I., Sukamto, H., & Mujiani, S. (2021). Dominant determinant characteristics of innovative behavior of new entrepreneur candidates. Management Science Letters, 11(6), 1813-1820.
5. Dodds, R. (2007). “Sustainable Tourism and Policy Implementation: Lessons from the Case of Calvia´”, Current Issues in Tourism, Spain.
6. Hassan, M.K. (2012). Measuring Tourist Satisfaction: A Categorical Study on Domestic Tourists in Bangladesh. Journal of Business, 33(1), 1-13.
7. Kantar, S. & Svržnjak, K. (2017). Development of sustainable rural tourism.
8. Kapur, S. (2016). Rural Tourism in India: relevance, Prospects and Promotional Strategies. Rural Tourism in India: Relevance, Prospects and Promotional Strategies, 9(1 & 2), 40-41.
9. Khanal, B. R. & Babar, J. T. (2007). Community Based Ecotourism for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Mekong Region, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Hanoi resource centre. Saradindu Shekhar Chakma. Ethnic Cleansing in Chittagong Hill Tracts. p. 39
10. Lane, B. (1994). What is rural tourism? Journal of sustainable tourism, 2(1-2), 7-21.
11. Malhotra, Naresh, K. (2006). Marketing Research: An Applied Orientation (4th edition), Publisher: Pearson Education
12. McIntosh, Robert, W., Goeldner, Charles, R., Ritchie, J. R., & Brent, (2005). “Tourism Principles, Practices, Philosophies” 7th Edition, John Wiley & Sons Inc.
13. Nora Islam (2023). River Tourism in Bangladesh: Present Status and Future Prospects. Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 22(F3), 53–60.
14. Okech, R., Haghiri, M., & George, B. P. (2012). Rural Tourism as a sustainable development alternative: an analysis with special reference to Luanda, Kenya.
15. Shamsuddoha, M. (2009). Eco Tourism: An Establishment of Sitakunda Eco Park in Bangladesh. SSRN Electronic Journal.
16. Tuffin & Bill (2005). Community-Based Tourism in the Lao PDR: An Overview. In Improving Livelihoods in the Uplands of the Lao PDR. NAFRI, NAFES & NUOL.
17. Wilson, S., Fesenmaier, D. R., Fesenmaier, J., & Van Es, J. C. (2001). Factors for success in rural tourism development. Journal of Travel research, 40(2), 132-138.