Title: Developing tourism impact index: a measure of tourism suppliers' perceptions in Leh, India

Authors: Manjula Chaudhary; Sonam Angmo

Addresses: Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra – 136119, Haryana, India ' Department of Travel and Tourism Management, University of Ladakh, Taruthang Campus, Leh-194101, Ladakh, India

Abstract: Adverse tourism impacts are a cause of concern for tourism managers especially at fragile mountain destinations. Tourism in such areas can be the major source of livelihood. It poses a challenge of establishing a balance between contribution to the economy and negative effects on the ecology. Sustained mapping and monitoring of tourism impacts can assist in maintaining this balance. This study maps tourism impacts in Leh, Ladakh region of India to identify potential interventions based on opinions of local travel agents and hoteliers. The results are presented as economic, socio-cultural, environmental and livelihood impact indices and an aggregated tourism impact index (TII) is also developed. Results suggest high negative socio-cultural impacts, low negative livelihood impacts and very low negative economic and environmental impacts. The methodology can be used for sustained monitoring of impacts and corrective interventions in Leh and at other destinations to reduce adverse tourism impacts.

Keywords: Leh (Ladakh); mountain destinations; tourism impact index; tourism impact perceptions; tourism suppliers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2021.118667

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2021 Vol.11 No.3, pp.289 - 308

Received: 26 Sep 2020
Accepted: 05 May 2021
Published online: 30 Oct 2021 *

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