Paper short abstract:

The Bhutias of Darjeeling has a great wealth in terms of their traditional arts and crafts. The present study is an outcome of an extensive fieldwork conducted on the bhutias. The study reveals that a major shift is visible in their traditinal pattern of art and craft.

Paper long abstract:

This study aims at exploration of tourism, which acts to promote local economy, socio-cultural changes and life style of the Tibetan Bhutias. The purpose of this study is to explore the reasons for which the foreign and domestic tourists visit the destination for recreational and leisure purposes and also to gain experience from art, culture, lifestyle etc, which in turn create a tremendous impact on tribal economy. Rural tourism includes specific services which are comprised of different social systems and which has the focus on complementary elements of regional product. In a pilot survey, it has been observed that tourism has also improved its civic amenities like communication, sanitations, transport facilities and standard of living for the people in general and has commercialized the art and craft forms of the Tibetan Bhutias. This study emphasizes on the concept of tourism, different issues, challenges related to tourism as well as revaluing the effectiveness of development of socio economic condition of the under developed regions.