AN EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF INFLUENCING FACTORS ON TOURISM IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Abstract

Tourism as a socioeconomic phenomenon has evolved into one of the largest and emerging industry in the
world. In Himachal Pradesh Tourism is an economically significant and has immense potential for developing various forms
of tourism and attracting a variety of tourists. Tourism is now added to the long list of established industries with tremendous
economic growth and social potentiality in the state as it contributes to the income in the form of tax revenue to the
government; and also generating foreign exchange earnings, provide equitable distribution of income, correct regional
imbalances and increase employment opportunities are also important contributing factors in the state. The impact of
tourism industry, particularly in the host country, is manifold. This is reflected on the economic, socio-cultural and
environmental aspects of the country. Tourism has been accorded a high priority because the government believes it will
accelerate the overall development of the state. However, there are many hidden costs to tourism, which have an adverse
impact on the local economy of the state. The present paper takes into account only positive impacts of tourism on the growth
of the state. The study has been based on the primary data. The primary data has been collected through the questionnaire
and factor analysis has been used as a statistical tool to achieve the results.