Characteristics and Development Potentials of Rural Tourism: A Sustainable Approach to Regional Revitalization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53573/rhimrj.2026.v13n03.011Keywords:
Tourism, Rural Tourism, characteristics, sustainable Development, scopeAbstract
Tourism is one of the world's most dynamic and quickly developing industries. For millions of individuals throughout the world, particularly in poor and emerging countries, it is a source of income and entrepreneurship & contributing significantly to their GDP. It also spreads love & harmony among people, develops universal camaraderie, leads to the protection of biodiversity, and preservation of culture. But, to combat ecological degradation, cultural homogeneity, and socioeconomic disparity, destinations must find a balance between commercial incentives and sustainable practices in response to this rapid increase. Thus, tourism has evolved into a multifaceted phenomenon in the twenty-first century, requiring careful management to deal with its numerous consequences. And, rural tourism is one such type that offers engaging rural engagements which focus on farming, agro-activities, vernacular culture, and eco-friendly activities in low-population areas. It encourages sustainable, community-based experiences and helps in the preservation of rural ecology, and improves rural economies. This type of tourism is gaining admiration and is important for revitalizing rural areas globally.
References
Singh et al. (2024), Singh, T., Singh, K., & Katoch, A. (2024). Impact of homestay on rural tourism in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Tourism Innovations, 14(2).
Barry, K. (2025). Unseasonable seasons: Shifting geographies of weather and migration mobilities. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 50, e70006. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.70006
Gayo, L., & Katonge, J. H. (2025). The impacts of community-based tourism on local livelihoods in communities adjacent to national Parks in Northern Tanzania. Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1), 2569757.
Singh, T., Singh, K., & Katoch, A. (2025). Impact of homestay on rural tourism and sustainable development in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Tourism Innovations, 15(1
Katoch, A. (2016). The Impacts of rural tourism on local community development: A study of Himachal Pradesh. PhD Thesis, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Department of Travel & Tourism.
Sharma, S., & Katoch, A. (2022). Review of Literature highlighting the Impacts of Rural Tourism on locals. International Research Journal of Management Sociology & Humanity ( IRJMSH), 13(3), 318-327.
Weyland, F., & Von Below, J. (2021). (Not So) common places: The roles of ecologists in environmental public policy. Environmental Science & Policy, 126, 223-233.
Bramwell, B. (1994). Rural tourism and sustainable rural tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2(1–2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669589409510679
Gayo, L., & Katonge, J. H. (2025). The impacts of community-based tourism on local livelihoods in communities adjacent to national Parks in Northern Tanzania. Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2025.2569757
Federico Weyland, Paloma Colacci, Augusto Cardoni, Candelaria Estavillo; Can rural tourism stimulate biodiversity conservation and influence farmer's management decisions?,Journal for Nature Conservation, Volume 64, 2021, 126071, ISSN 1617-1381, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126071.
Amasha Sumanapala, S. D., & Naradda Gamage, S. K. (2024). Promoting Sustainable Rural Development Through Community-Based Tourism.
Yanan, L., Ismail, M. A., & Aminuddin, A. (2024). How has rural tourism influenced the sustainable development of traditional villages? A systematic literature review. Heliyon, 10(4).
Liu, T., & Chen, B. (2023). Rural tourism in China: Root-seeking, sustainable development, and national identity construction. Journal of Sustainable Tourism Studies
Katoch, A., Gautam, P., & Sharma, S. (2017). Conceptualization of Rural Tourism and Its Status in Himachal Pradesh. Tourism Spectrum, 2(6), 32-40. Retrieved 01 08, 2026
Bansal, S. P. & Kumar, J. (2011). Ecotourism for Community Development: A Stakeholder’s Perspective in Great Himalayan National Park. International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD), 2(2), 31-40. https://doi.org/10.4018/jsesd.2011040103