ABSTRACT

This study explores the impacts of tourism on the development of local community of district Neelum. This research signifies that how tourism development has enhanced the rural development in the valley. Local community acted together in the form of community organizations to be the actors of development. Projects have been launched by the local community to facilitate the tourists in return of which they provide them with business opportunities. Tourism has changed the market structure which has directly affected the local community. Infrastructure has seen massive improvements consequently offering more and better choice of occupations. The focus in this research has been how these changes impacted the lives of people and overall socio-economic development in any subtle or prominent manner. How has it impacted the Gender gap? Participatory rural appraisal has been used in this research to interpret the linked phenomenon. This study was conducted in district Neelum of Azad Kashmir. This study comprises samples from the local community aged more than 40 years who have been living in Neelum. Data from government agencies has also been collected for findings and analysis. There has been a very little work done in this area and this research can be extended in broader term to draw mechanisms to enhance rural development with the enhanced tourist flux.