Title: Go slow in the mountains! an explorative perspective on tourism in Uttarakhand region

Authors: Jitender Bhandari; Vinay Rana; Shalini Singh

Addresses: School of Hospitality Management, IMS Unison University, Dehradun, 248009, India ' School of Hospitality Management, IMS Unison University, Dehradun, 248009, India ' School of Business, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, 248007, India

Abstract: Tourism significantly contributes to the development of various destinations, enhancing their cultural, natural, and social sustainability. However, hilly areas such as Uttarakhand face challenges, including overdevelopment or underdevelopment, loss of cultural values, ecological degradation, rapid migration, resource scarcity, unemployment, and youth dissatisfaction. Slow tourism has emerged as a viable solution to address these issues. This study utilised interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore perspectives on slow tourism and sentiments about preserving cultural heritage and local traditions in Uttarakhand's mountainous regions. We conducted semi-structured interviews with local residents, practitioners, and tourists. The findings reveal that slow tourism is crucial for safeguarding natural and cultural values, promoting sustainability, and transforming local lifestyles. This research highlights the importance of maintaining local culture and traditions while addressing issues such as pollution and unemployment. By applying the IPA approach, this study enriches the understanding of slow tourism and provides valuable insights for future exploration.

Keywords: slow tourism; IPA; interpretative phenomenological analysis; sustainability; challenges; cultural heritage; mountainous regions; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2026.151868

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2026 Vol.16 No.1, pp.1 - 20

Received: 17 Dec 2024
Accepted: 30 Oct 2025
Published online: 24 Feb 2026 *

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