AN OVERVIEW OF RURAL TOURISM IN BHAIRABKUNDA OF UDALGURI DISTRICT, ASSAM (INDIA)

It is evident that Tourism sector has a capacity to stimulate different sectors of the economy. Rural tourism is one of the main priorities to develop the tourism sector in many developing countries. During the last decade, the Tourism sector has shown a tremendous growth, promoting business and generating employment. Rural Tourism, an inevitable part of it, focuses on the participation in the activities of rural lifestyle, culture, natural beauty, art, heritage, traditions, customs, food, dress and religion at rural location or rural areas and thereby favouring the local communities socially and economically. It also enables the interaction between the tourists and rural masses, enriching tourism experience. The region for the study is Bhairabkunda, a place located in the Udalguri District of Assam- a tri- junction of Assam, Aurnachal Pradesh and Assam. The place is also a meeting point of three rivers viz. ‘Jampani', ‘Bhairabi' and ‘Jia Dhansiri'. With its manmade forest and the immense natural beauty it has become one of the most favoured tourist destinations. The present paper makes an attempt to explore varied prospects and constraints of Rural Tourism, and its role in the rural economy development in Udalguri District of Assam. For, the purpose of the study, a well-structured methodology has been adopted to collect primary and secondary data and suitable statistical tools have been applied for analysis.