Socioeconomic impacts of tourism on the rural people of Azad Kashmir : a case study of Rawalakot and Banjonsa in Azad Kashmir

Sammanfattning: This study aims to investigate the socio economic impacts of tourism on the people of two villages including Rawalakot and Banjonsa situated in Azad Kashmir. The researcher used a qualitative research technique for a field data collection. A total of 28 respondents were interviewed in both villages for obtaining the required information. The research findings show that tourism development has significant socio-economic impact on the people of study villages. Tourism created the work opportunities as well as improved infrastructure of the two villages. In contrast, tourism also brought some negative economic impacts like increasing land prices, high rent, and high prices of essential commodities. The tourism also encouraged some socio-cultural impacts on the people of study areas in the form of changes in family structure, relationship among the community people and dressing style etc.