I, me, and the outsider–an exploratory study to identify antecedents of sustainable tourism ecosystem in India

Abstract

Purpose: India’s travel and tourism sector has grown dramatically, especially post-COVID, with many travellers exploring new places. Popular tourist destinations include beaches, hill stations, heritage sites, and backwaters. However, this rapid expansion has led to overcrowding, causing congestion problems, infrastructure strain, and environmental deterioration. Against this backdrop, this study investigates sustainable tourism practices by drawing insights from community-led ecotourism in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, India. Design/methodology/approach: In-depth interviews were conducted with local communities, administrators, tourists, government officials, and academics. Grounded theory and constant comparative analysis were used to uncover broad themes and subthemes to create a comprehensive theoretical framework for sustainable tourism ecosystems and practices. Findings: The theoretical framework for a sustainable tourism ecosystem identifies best practices and provides an action plan to focus on tourism while protecting the state’s natural splendour and diversity. The broad themes and critical dimensions within these themes can provide valuable insights to all stakeholders in creating a road map for a mutually beneficial future. Practical implications: This study is significant to government, private, and local stakeholders in planning and promoting sustainable tourism practices to sustain local heritage and culture. Originality/value: Existing studies have focused on the effects of infrastructure development, heritage protection, and human factors on tourism in isolation. This study’s originality lies in its holistic integration of these constructs and their interrelationships in the Indian context. The study provides a more nuanced understanding of sustainable tourism.