Negative Social Aspects of Tourism and Sustainable Development: An Empirical Study

Abstract

This paper deals with the identification of negative social aspects of tourism that hinders the sustainable tourism development and well being seriously. Identification is exclusively based on opinion of sample tourist vis-a-vis opinion of local people. A methodology has been framed to determine the major, minor and other negative social aspects of tourism. Applying statistical technique on respondents opinion the author identified five major negative social aspects of West Bengal tourism viz. Growth of unscientific massage parlors, Exploitation on tourists, over pricing, commercialization of countrys culture/customs and water pollution which seriously affects the growth of sustainable tourism development. Identified minor negative social aspects are Littering, Pick pocketing, Theft and Female prostitution, also affects tourism by and large. Apart from these the author identified numerous negative social aspects which affects the industry occasionally, as per capacity. The author suggests that sound Security Systems Management Process at operational level should be implemented by the government to arrest the growth of these negative aspects so that they can be nipped in the bud. Other wise the motto of sustainable development and well being of studied area will be impeded.

Keywords: Negative Social Aspects, Sustainable Development, Growth of Unscientific Massage Parlors, Exploitation on Tourists, Over Pricing, Commercialization of Countrys Culture/Customs, Water Pollution

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