Tourism through rural-urban linkages for rural development in Palpa District of Nepal | |
| Author | Satyal, Sakil |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.RD-04-05 |
| Subject(s) | Rural development--Nepal Tourism--Nepal |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This thesis studies the potential of tourism as a development tool for the rural areas of Palpa district in Nepal. Given the vastness of natural and cultural resources, Palpa finds itself nestled in an abundance of untapped wealth, most of which is rural. Tourism is an effective conduit to bring utility of these resources while contributing to development of the rural areas. Importance is given to rural urban linkages in strategic planning of tourism since effective development, as advocated by the author, is possible only in integration of what is the realms of the urban and rural space. The objectives of this study is to study the socio-economic and tourism profile of Palpa district while analyzing tourism economics, peoples responsiveness, and rural urban linkages as factors influencing tourism development in the region. Based on these findings, recommendations for rural development have been formulated. The study adopts both primary and secondary research design, utilizing household surveys of local respondents of rural Palpa, surveys of tourists, and interviews of key informants as primary data collection methods. Data from published and unpublished sources and literature review are used as secondary data collection methods. Data analysis and technique includes qualitative and quantitative techniques. Findings indicate an overall positive prospect for tourism development in the region. The study of tourism economics which includes analysis of tourism supply and demand, and tourism development direction give evidence to the potential and opportunities of tourism in the study area. Niche market segments with particular interest to rural areas, rural resources, and rural activities are growing. Tourism facilities and development in the study area, while not extensive, is more or less adequate and leaves room for further investment. Similarly, people's responsiveness to tourism development to the area is largely favorable. Emphasis placed by respondents in tourism for rural development is in the sectors of handicrafts and local rural produce development and other activities, which provide avenues for employment, sales and markets expansions of local produce. The study of prevailing rural urban linkages reveals the possibility of efficient linkages due to factors such as accessibility, travel time, goods flow, and markets availability. Tourism further strengthens the link between rural and urban space contributing towards rural development by forging tourism induced linkages of specific products and services produced and consumed between the realms of primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. This thesis concludes with recommendations for the tourism industry focused on developing rural areas. Five recommendations of particular emphasis have been identified. These range from facilitating and strengthening linkages, targeting tourist segments, developing handicrafts and local products, expanding regional networks. Articulation and operationalization of these are perceived to bring, to a more or less degree, development benefits to rural Palpa. |
| Year | 2004 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Routray, Jayant Kumar ; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Soparth Pongquan ;Vogt, Dietrich Schmidt ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |