Economic impact of vaishno devi pilgrimage: An analytical Study

Abstract

In recent years, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine has become very popular destination among pilgrims. Pilgrimage Tourism to Vaishno Devi Shrine constitutes an important component of total tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and has contributed effectively to the growth and development of the place. Every year around 7 million pilgrims visit the Shrine which is influencing the socio-economic environment of the region and the present paper is throwing light on the economic impact of the Shrine related tourism. This paper is based on the methodology adopted for estimation of economic impact of the Shrine related tourism on the economy of katra town by estimating the income and employment generation. In the present paper, the methodology adopted for estimation of income and employment is based on extrapolation of the sample research findings. The figures for universe population with respect to the sample have been taken from the Municipality of Katra, Shrine Board and other Government as well as private agencies like various business associations. The income generated is taken from all the five basic component of industries or sets of people, primarily at Katra, which are directly and more or less totally dependent on the tourism viz. the Hotel Industry, Transport Industry, various commercial establishments including all types of shops operating at Katra, Pithoos and Ponywallas.

Keywords : Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Shrine Board, Economic Impact, Hotel Industry, Transport Industry, Pithoos and Ponywallas.

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