Role of Women in Promoting Sustainable and Community-based Tourism: A Qualitative Study in Kandhamal District of Odisha, India

Abstract

Background: In recent times, tourism development has moved away from mass tourism towards sustainable and community-based tourism, which focuses on protecting the environment, involving local people, and ensuring inclusive development. In the context of India, tourism policies largely emphasise economic growth and environmental sustainability but lack gender-specific frameworks to support women’s entrepreneurship and leadership. Aim: The study aims to examine the role of women in promoting sustainable and community-based tourism in Kandhamal District of Odisha, with a focus on their leadership, entrepreneurial participation, and empowerment outcomes. Study Design: The study adopts a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory research design. Place and Duration of Study: The study is focused on the Kandhamal District of Odisha and is based on secondary data collected from published literature, reports, and case studies over recent years. Methodology: The study is based on secondary data sources, including research articles, government reports, and case studies. Qualitative tools such as comparative case synthesis and thematic analysis are used to analyse women’s participation in tourism activities such as homestays, handicrafts, eco-tourism, and cultural promotion. Results: The study reveals that women actively participate in tourism-related activities, contributing to income generation, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. Their involvement enhances self-confidence, social recognition, and decision-making capacity. However, challenges such as limited training, financial constraints, low digital literacy, and weak market access restrict their leadership and entrepreneurial growth. Conclusion: Women play a significant role in promoting sustainable and community-based tourism. Strengthening their participation through gender-sensitive policies, capacity-building, financial support, and digital inclusion can enhance sustainable development and rural economic growth in Kandhamal.