Pilgrimage Tourism And Its Economic Dimensions Tourism Essay

Published Date: 23 Mar 2015

In recent years, pilgrimage tourism has become very popular among pilgrims. Pilgrimage Tourism to Shrine constitutes an important component of total tourism in and has contributed effectively to the growth and development of the place. Every year around 7 million pilgrims visit the Shrines in India which is influencing the socio-economic environment of the region and the present paper is throwing light on the economic impact of the pilgrimage tourism. This paper is based on the methodology adopted for estimation of economic impact tourism. This article explains and supports the idea that the economic impacts of religious tourism should not be neglected or underestimated, although religious institutions have traditionally attempted to downplay this in the past. Additionally, the paper argues that religion and tourism have much in common. In the modern world it is hard to ignore the impression that in most places of pilgrimage the profane impacts of tourism are just as important if not more so than the religious. This paper lends theoretical support to this argument.

Keywords: religious tourism, economic impacts, pilgrimages.

Introduction

Pilgrimage Tourism has emerged as an instrument for employment generation, poverty alleviation and sustainable human development. Pilgrimage Tourism promotes international understanding and gives support to local handicrafts and cultural activities. It is an important segment of the country's economy, especially in terms of its contribution towards foreign exchange earnings, generation of additional income and creation of employment opportunities. The foreign exchange earnings from tourism during the year 2000 were estimated at about Rs. 14,408 crores with an estimated direct employment of about 15 million, which is about 2.4% of the total labor force of the country. Pilgrimage Tourism is the third largest foreign exchange earner for India. The International tourist traffic in the country is estimated to be 2.64 million during the year 2000. However, according to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), India's share in world tourism arrivals is only 0.38%, accounting for 0.62% of the world tourist receipts. This indicates that much of the tourist potential is yet to be tapped. With rapid advances in Science & Technology, tourism has acquired the status of an industry in all industrialized countries. The high influx of foreign tourist traffic has accelerated demand for certain economic production and distribution activities. Pilgrimage Tourism has emerged as an industry next in importance only to Information Technology industry in the Services sector. By 2012, the contribution of pilgrimage Tourism to the world economy will be doubled. The economic liberalization in India and consequent foreign investment opportunities, development of tourist facilities including expansion in air-line services, etc. provide an impetus for a spurt in tourist arrivals as in South Asian regions. Domestic pilgrimage tourism plays a vital role in achieving the national objectives of promoting social and cultural cohesion and national integration. Its contribution to generation of employment is very high. With the increase in income levels and emergence of a powerful middle class, the potential for domestic pilgrimage tourism has grown substantially during the last few years. Realising the importance of pilgrimage tourism, the Government of Tamil Nadu has accorded high priority to pilgrimage tourism promotion and has taken initiatives to improve/ create infrastructure in tourism potential centres and geared to encourage private sector investment in this regard.

Objectives

To study about the pilgrimage tourism and its economic impacts

To identify the social, cultural and economic impact of the pilgrimage tourism management

To study The Positive and Negative,Social and Environmental Impacts of pilgrimage Tourism management

METHODOLOGY

The data for this study were collected from local residents which engaged in tourism activities.

tourists were identified as a key factor in developing tourism in local communities. This research is mainly based on secondary data such as broucher, pamplets, books,news papers,internet,advertisement etc.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

The study would contribute to identify the need for economic dimension in pilgrimage tourism. Pilgrimage tourism helps in giving manifold economic benefits. The present study will be designed as an conceptual one,. few places of Tamilnadu had identified as places where high positive effects of pilgrimage tourism on income, employment and standard of living of local residents in Tamilnadu had analyzed here in this study. By studying this article it is possible to bring out the various strategies required for making the pilgrimage tourism in Tamilnadu a better destination in economic dimension. Further, this study may be useful to other states also for tapping the pilgrimage potential.

Review of literature

Laukush Mishra (2000) "Pilgrimage tourism is being recognized as a prime industry in most parts of the world for the purpose of earning maximum foreign exchange. Social significance of pilgrimage tourism cannot be said of less importance. Tourism industry requires variety as it is very essential capital and India is land of diversity. here diversity is present in every walk of life, from natural such as air, and water to social factors such as language and behaviour all varies from place to place. Pilgrimages are not a destination only for our religious faith but they also strengthen our national unity and promote brother hoodness also. the time has to come when these should be used to earn foreign exchange also keeping guarded our cultural heritage. in fact the other part of world may learn many things from India.indians might be poor from pocket but the wealth what they have in their behaviour is match less in the world.on domestic front religious tourism can be very helpful for regional development, employment generation, and can enroot again the cultural values. many modern social evils which are caused by materialism can be cured with the help of religious tourism". Orland (1990) "The pilgrimage tourism sites in developing countries are subjected to extraordinary economic pressures and change. Often being the only remaining open spaces in densely populated urban or rural agricultural landscapes, they are in danger of being over run, either by surrounding development, or by growing recreational uses. A site faces pressures from pilgrims, international tourists and local day-visitors, all with different goals and needs. There are two apparently conflicting goals: to increase international pilgrimages and tourism use of the site, and to enhance the site for local day-visitors. Strategies are presented which would reduce these present conflicts, allow for growth and respond to local management constraints". Mc Grath (1999) "The importance of pilgrimage travel as an economic, social and spatial phenomenon cannot be ignored. The term "pilgrimage tourism' implies travel to a site or worship or a sacred place. Conceptually, it is not unlike recreational or tourism movements as a form of short term migration. It is one of the most geographically significant forms of religious behaviour". David (2005 ) "The informal tourism sector and pilgrimage tourism tradition and today the bulk of domestic informal tourism in India consists of poor people participating in some religious pilgrimage trip, although, it is some times difficult to tell the difference between religious and non religious trips. The tourism impact of each of the four sectors according to four levels, economic, social, cultural and environmental, broadly defined, economic refers to total income from tourists, number of jobs generated, tourist expenditures or costs (land, commodity, wage inflation and import leakages) social impact refers to population displacement, migration, what class owns the tourist establishments, impact on the quality of living, increase or decrease in crime, cultural impact looks at degree of commoditization of symbols and performances, increase in undesirable activities, cultural influences derived from tourists and hostility towards tourist. Pilgrimage tourism as a modern phenomenon, and the changing history and nature of religious pilgrimage in India".Champakalakshmi (1998) "Buddhism in tamilnadu seeks to provide an alternative perspective and different approach to the study of patronage to Buddhism in tamilnadu, keeping in view the major chronological periods, the early historic and the early medieval, within which such an exercise becomes meaningful. Patronage of formal religious systems in pre-modern India was closely linked to the ideological needs of political organization and its socio-economic base".Kiran shinde (1996) "Pilgrimage tourism begins by reasoning that the increasing use of mechanical transport to pilgrimage sites erodes the cultural notions that have underpinned pilgrimage tourism for centuries. Then, it seeks to demonstrate in two respects, the relevance of insights into how sacred journeying interconnects persons, places, and time. The first insight concerns the travel patterns of and income potential from pleasure and pilgrimage tourists in the current situation of unstable national and international security. The second insight relates to local perceptions of sociocultural, economic, and environmental risks involved in pilgrimage tourism. The cultural dimension must be included as a crosscutting concern in environmental, social, and economic impact assessments of transport projects to heritage sites". Boris Vukonic (1998) "The economic impacts of pilgrimage tourism, the economic impacts of pilgrimage tourism relationship should not be underestimated. Taking into account the fact that pilgrimage tourism is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, it is almost impossible to examine religion and its specific relationships to tourism: economic, social and cultural. Based on theoretical research of scholars it can be said that the two phenomena - pilgrimage and tourism - have much too common. Today, it is hard to get away with the impression that in most places of pilgrimage sites. The profane impacts of tourism are greater due to the religious reasons. Even in the so called 'hard-line' or conservative religions of the world, because of their strict observance of religious duties of their adherents, such benefits are no longer denied". Rajesh Raina (2001) "Pilgrimage Tourism to Shrine constitutes an important component of total tourism and it has contributed effectively to the growth and development of the place. Every year around 7 million pilgrims visit the Shrine which is influencing the socio-economic environment of the region. The economic impact of the Shrine related pilgrimage tourism. The income generated is taken from all the five basic component of industries or sets of people, , which are directly and more or less totally dependent on the pilgrimage tourism viz. the Hotel Industry, Transport Industry, various commercial establishments including all types of shops operating at the pilgrimage tourism sites". Harsh nevatia (2001) "Religious tourism has a big future in India. India is richly endowed with ancient temples and religious festivals. Religions originating in India, be it Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism or Buddhism, have a vibrant culture and spiritual philosophy. Religious tourism in India has immense potential to evolve as a niche segment. There are hurdles to be overcome. The first hurdle is the poor tourism infrastructure in general, and perhaps the even poorer infrastructure of religious centres. Adequate facilities for lodging, boarding and traveling and travel will have to be created. what needs to be done is to create nodes near religious centres, where there is already a basic infrastructure present and plan day trips from there. religious tourism in India can provide an experience that cannot be had anywhere in the world, but for it to fructify, the seeds will have to be sown and the saplings will have to be natured". Elena (2001) "The pilgrimage tourism involve in economic activities around and in the country. Pilgrimage tourism is one of the most important factors in the economy of many countries; that intense competition amongst world destination is evident. The need to innovate and to create new products has forced the development of more and different concepts as is the case with cultural and religious tourism, the vast religious heritage is the reason which leads to faith and the awakening of renewed interest in the practices of pilgrimage tourists who visit for religious reasons. This is beginning to trace out a greater impact in pilgrimage tourism". Arnab Karar (2010) "Tourism become an engine for economic development and plays a great role towards socio-economic changes. According to Indian sentiment the pilgrim centers or tirthasthan used to visit by number of tourists to earn virtue. Not only domestic but also foreign tourists are also come here throughout the year. The tourism industry has played an important role and it becomes a boon. Due to the gathering of many pilgrims every year, a number of hotels, ashrams, restaurants etc. are built. For the construction of those hotels every year a number of persons are engaged. Therefore, hotel business is playing an important role in the economic system. For fulfilling the necessities of the tourists, the restaurant owners prepare different types of dishes Therefore the restaurant owners have to deal with various whole-sellers for supply their cooking item and vegetables. There also an economic transaction happens for the restaurant business. A number of buses, shared jeep are available here for the journey of holy Shrines. Therefore, transport economy is also play an important role here due to pilgrim tourism. Tourism development board always engaged for the betterment of the pilgrims. The tourism based economy, particularly which of the religious complex, may continue to flourish and thrive as long as its religious sanctity is ensured to satisfy religious sentiment of the pilgrim tourists".

THE EXPERIENCE ECONOMY AND TOURISM

Tourism has principally been concerned with the tourist experience of visiting, seeing, learning, enjoying, and living in a different mode of life (Stamboulis and Skayannis 2003). In this sense, everything tourists go through at a destination can be experience, be it behavioral or perceptual, cognitive or emotional, or expressed or implied. To the stakeholders of tourism, such as tourists, destination marketers, local residents, and policy makers, the nature and scope of the experience offered by a destination and processed by tourists determine the value of the destination. Hence, researchers have emphasized understanding what the tourist experience is and how it is formed as a result of visiting a destination. The two-dimensional model of tourist values proposed by Crick-Furman and Prentice (2000) exemplifies the nature of the tourist experience, whereas the "type" analysis by Uriely,Yonay, and Simchai (2002) and the analysis of benefit determinants by Prentice, Witt, and Hamer (1998) reflect how the tourist experience was formed. Prentice (2004) also introduced two intrinsic motivation models, the romantic and mass tourism paradigms, to explain the diversity of tourist experiences by means of underlying tourist motivations. As shown in these studies, it is indeed a challenging task to capture all elements experienced by a tourist at a destination in a concise measurement model for the purpose of assessing the performance or value of a destination. Pine and Gilmore (1999; Gilmore and Pine 2002a, 2002b) proposed the experience economy as an emerging paradigm for enhancing business performance across a wide range of industries, including tourism and hospitality.

The experience economy concept has been introduced sporadically to tourism research and it adds to the dimensions by which to interpret tourist experience (e.g., Richards, 2001; Stamboulis and Skayannis 2003). Pine and Gilmore (1999, p. 12) defined experience from a business perspective: "Experiences are events that engage individuals in a personal way"; but we surmise that they would define experience from a consumer perspective as enjoyable, engaging, memorable encounters for those consuming these events. According to Pine and Gilmore (1999), there are fourm, realms (or dimensions) of experience differentiated by the level and form of customer involvement in business offerings, as depicted in. Along the customer participation axis, passive participation of the customer in business (or destination) offerings characterizes the entertainment and esthetic dimensions, whereas educational and escapist dimensions reflect active participation. The tourist who passively participates in destination activities does not directly affect or influence the performance of the destination (business), whereas an active participant will personally affect the performance or event that becomes part of his or her experience. Along the absorption-immersion axis, the tourist typically "absorbs" entertaining and educational offerings of a destination and "immerses" in the destination environment resulting in esthetic or escapist experiences. Absorption in this context is defined as "occupying a person's attention by bringing the experience into the mind" and immersion as "becoming physically (or virtually) a part of the experience itself " (Pine and Gilmore 1999, p. 31).

THE EXPERIENCE ECONOMY IN THE TOURISM DECISION PROCESS

Because Pine and Gilmore's (1999) realms of experience focus on describing the goodness of destination offerings in four summary dimensions, it is useful to consider the potential antecedents and consequences of these realms of experience. In a general sense, tourists are believed to hold personal values that permeate their life and that embed their choice of a specific destination and/or target tourist experience (Madrigal and Kahle 1994). Such values, once directed at a specific target (i.e., a trip to take), give rise to travel motives, which function as the "push" factor for the upcoming trip taking. Once travel motives coalesce, a set of relevant destinations is evoked along with the tourist's attitude associated with each destination in the set. At this point, the expected value of the experience from a destination, known as the "pull" factor or travel motivation, often solidifies or weakens the tourist's intention to choose the destination. Travel motives and motivations have been used as key variables for market segmentation studies on tourist experiences (e.g., Loker-Murphy 1996; Prentice,Witt, and Hamer 1998). Although tourism research on destination experiences has assumed that personal values were inextricably linked to tourist experiences, supporting empirical evidence is limited. Only a few researchers have attempted to explicate how global person values reduce to perceptions of tourist experiences for a particular destination (e.g., Klenosky, Gengler, and Mulvey 1993). Nonetheless, this kind of person-environment relationship is argued to be unstable, inconsistent, and disconnected because the environment (e.g., the experience at a destination) is not a routine part of daily life for most people (Burningham and O'Brien 1994). Due to the infrequency of tourism experience in the life of most people, motive- or value-based phenomenology of tourist experiences can be futile (Aitken and Bjorklund 1988). Moreover, values may not be considered as enduring through all activities of the person and, thus, tourist experiences may be driven instead by immediate goals and objectives of the tourist interacting with the focal environment or destination (Bagozzi and Warshaw 1990; Crick-Furman and Prentice 2000). Oh (2001) reasoned why a priori comparison standards, such as expectations, importance, and personal values, often have little bearing on post experience evaluations in the hospitality consumption context. In contrast, specific consequences of tourist experiences have drawn less research attention than the antecedents discussed above. While it is apparent that internalized benefits, such as mental or spiritual recreation, well-being, and fulfillment, may be long-term tourism benefits, more destination- or individual travel-specific outcomes of the experience have not been widely conceptualized, particularly in line with Pine and Gilmore's conceptual framework. These rather transaction-oriented consequences are important for the sake of destination management because they provide travel marketers with not only diagnostic summary evaluations of destination offerings but also better understanding of the factors affecting the tourist's future destination choice.

Pilgrimage Tourism in the Face of the Economic Crisis

World economy faces an unprecedented crisis, triggering one of the most severe recessions in generations. The world's GDP is forecast to decline by some 1.4% in 2009, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF, July 2009), the exports have been dramatically reduced and all advanced economies are in recession. And, even the emerging economies, which at the beginning seemed to resist better, are rapidly facing the impact of the economic crisis. Pilgrimage Tourism, though resisting better than some sectors, has not been immune. Markets started to deteriorate by mid 2008. UNWTO market monitoring indicates that the plummeting results of international tourism during the last part of 2008 have continued during the first months of 2009. International tourist arrivals are estimated to have declined by as much as 8% in the first four months of 2009, bringing overall international tourism to the level of 2007. This trend is confirmed by data on air transport by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which shows a 6.8% decline in air passenger's traffic in the first seven months of this year, and data on hotel occupancy rates which, according to STR Global, are down by 9% to 13% in all world regions in the period January-July 2009.

PROSPECTS OF PILGRIM TOURISM IN INDIA

When global warming threatens lives and property the world over, many surviving natural sectors offer clue to reverse climate change. Over the years pilgrim tourism has been recognized as one of the most vibrant natural sectors of economy. In the western and European nations, Christian religious tourism is a thriving sector. There are around 117 Marian shrines in Canada, 181 shrines in the United States for Roman Catholics and thousands of sites connected to various Protestant denominations and ancient religions of the Native Americans. Majority of those places have become important global destinations for pilgrims. It happens because those countries have a sound approach to pilgrim sector. In India, there are hundreds of pilgrim destinations connected to the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh and the Muslim religion, which have potential to generate employment on a sustainable basis. More than 15 crore Indians visit pilgrim places across the country. The nation's ancient history and mythological past have sprung up hundreds of pilgrim centers across the country. Many have origins traced in the mythologies. Pilgrim tourism serves the greatest purpose of integrating people from different regions as people from farthest east travel to southern corner and the west to north enjoying the hospitality of one another. The Badrinath, Kedarnath, Mount Kailash, Vaishno Devi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Amritsar in the north, the Sabarimal, Rameswaram, Madurai and Tirupati in the south, Puri Jagganath temple in the East and Shirdi Sai Baba temples, the magnificent churches of Goa in the western part, the Ujjain, Omkareswar, Sanchi and Ajmer in the central India and a host of other famous pilgrim spots keep more than 15 per cent of Indians population moving.

When people move out of their houses in pilgrimage it triggers a host of economic activities right from their doorsteps. Travel agencies, hotel chains, restaurants, sale of religious artifacts, handicrafts, floriculture activity, health sector, and shops selling travel kits etc get activated. The Tirupathi Devasthanam in Tirumala requires more than 20 tones of flowers every day during the peak season. Bangalore city transports flowers worth Rs 30 lakh every day to Tirumala. Faith is the greatest stimulant for economic activities, which could generate revenues on a sustainable basis without putting pressure on environment.

The famous patta chitra, palm leave carvings, appliqué work, painting on tassar clothes originate from the religious practices in the Lord Jagganath temple of Puri. In ancient time people believed a pilgrimage to Puri is not complete unless one carries a piece of patta chitra or an appliqué work with them. Today handicraft traders have carried those traditional crafts to international craft bazaars. A 40 sq feet patta chitra made by a senior artist is sold at a price ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 7 lakh in international craft bazaar. Nearly 15 lakh pilgrims gather in Puri to watch the spectacular Rath Yatra, widely known as the journey of the mankind. More than 20 million people gather in Kumbhamela, which is the largest congregation of pilgrims in the world. Though millions more want to travel, uncomfortable journey, lack of clean and economy class accommodation, poor quality of food and water served in many pilgrim centers dissuade pilgrims to travel. Many pilgrim centers in India have become too commercialized and caught up with making money only. Business opportunities let economics over shadow the very purpose of spiritual places, which ultimately affects pilgrim sector.

Unlike tourists who come to spend and enjoy, the pilgrims generally come to have spiritual experience. Natural surroundings, cleanliness and ethnic culture always provide the spiritual aura. The magnificent hills of Sahyadri range in Maharashtra attracts more than six lakh pilgrims to walk 261 km to have a darshan of their revered god Panduranga at Pendarpur. Recently Maharashtra Government has decided to develop 261 km roads with huge public expenditure. This is actually unnecessary and it may destroy the natural environment of the route. Amaranth yatra would not fascinate lakhs of people without those snowcapped mountains, forests, springs and vallies.A well thought out pilgrim policy will undoubtedly help millions of Indians to rise above the poverty line. Children from school must learn how to tap the pilgrim tourism potential. Public awareness about pilgrim sector should be created among people for cleaner and greener environment in pilgrim places. Documenting the myths, mysteries, history and folklore of pilgrim places is the first step towards making a thriving pilgrim sector in India.

PILGRIMAGE AND TOURISM

In this Section we will discuss the pilgrimage tourism in its historic; perspective yatras in search of peace besides, history is also full of references of traders and merchants roaming Srurn place to place in connection with their trading activities. Traditionally a Hindu was supposed to perform yatra to four dhams situated in four corners of India - in the North, Badrinath (on the hills); in the East, Puri (on the sea coast); in the West, Dwarika (on the sea shore), and in the South, Rameshwaram (again on the sea coast). Tirtha yatras were mainly spread along the river bluffs and confluences. The holy rivers, Ganges and Yamuna, have long been venerated and large number of hymns was composed by the Aryans in praise of Ganga. Earlier, pilgrimage was associated with 'purity of thought' and undertaken for expiation of sins or for salvation. fie concept of the pilgrimage was "the harder the journey the better the reward (phal)". Thus, the pilgrims needed minimum infrastructural facilities. rnodern day pilgrimage is 'pleasure oriented' and demands vast infrastructure in the tertiary sector. This has had deep impacts. In the following Sections we shall examine pilgrimage tourism and its impact on society in greater detail. Pilgrimage and tourism are closely related. Tourist industry fetches large number of 'local tourists' mainly to pilgrim centers. Pilgrimage tourism helps greatly in travel promotion. You will find that ever increasing demand for better travel facilities at pilgrim centers to cater to the large number of pilgrim tourists has pressurized the state governments and tourism departments to come up with concrete plans. Since this kind of tourism involves large profits it has attracted a number of private tour-operators to involve with it. We may cite the instance of Vishnu Devi. The journey in the past was quite hazardous. Recently, however. the roads have got totally rebuilt, and the transport is easily available. Today Jarnmu is connected with every part of India by rail and by air. Similarly, Tirupati, a small town, now has an airport. Trains now reach as far as Rameshwaram. Dwarika is also well connected by road. Even ship cruise facilities are available to visit Dwarika. Ajmer, again though a small town, owes its importance almost wholly to Shaikh Muinuddin Christi's shrine. the annual lakhs of people participate. Such travel promotion facilitates pilgrimage in particular areas and at the same time it has soci-econornicim placations too. large number of devotees travelling to pilgrim centers generate handsome revenue and are the source of livelihood to hundreds of those who depend on the tourists inflow. There are many pilgrim centers which were earlier small places, but on account of their religious I importance have now emerged as big towns. Katra, a small town in Jammu, now has a chain of small hotels. Similarly, Shirdi, a very small village, now on account of the increasing popularity of Shirdi saint's shrine is fast developing into a big town with a nurnber of luxury hotels coming up. Pilgrim centers also develop' into big shopping spots. Dwarika specializes in cloth paintings. Similarly, people buy dry fruits like akhrot in large quantities from Jarnmu where it is quite cheap. Besides, these pilgrim centers are flooded with consumer items - artificial jewellery, bangles, local handicrafts (of wood, jute, cane, stone-carvings (images of gods and goddesses), and show-pieces, etc.

Economic impacts in pilgrimage tourism

Pilgrimage Tourism is an economic activity that is imposed, or at least grafted, on a pre-existing set of economic activities and traditional ways of life (Price & Harrison, 1996: 1). Pilgrimage Tourism is a product of three main elements; destination, hosts and the tourists. Pilgrimage Tourism is a process which obviously affects various aspects of society and culture. Primarily its impact is of economic nature. Sharma (2009) states that the contribution of pilgrimage tourism in gross foreign exchange is 15 to 17 percent and the influence of tourism is also centered in some specific areas only not throughout the whole nation but it does not mean to underestimate the pilgrimage tourism because we know a very little about the multiplier effect of the pilgrimage tourism; we must take account of the foods, vegetables and fruits that the tourists take as well as the employment plus the crafts that the tourists purchase. According to Godfrey and Clarke (2000), socio-cultural change relate to local quality of life and sense of place. Positive change in the quality of life could be as follows; personal income increases, helps to improve living standards for those more directly involved in industry, supports the diversity of restaurants and other cultural entertainment, influence the assortment of goods for sale in many local shops that would not be available in the same amount if pilgrimage tourism did not exist to support them, park areas are often improved, street furniture and design criteria introduced, greater care and attention placed on overall environmental quality, new opportunities etc. And in contrary negative changes in the quality of life could be as follows; local shops overcharging, petty theft from cars and accommodation, more serious personal assault etc. Regarding the sense of place, positive changes could be as follows; revitalizing local culture and traditions, enriching local understanding and interest in history and culture, a sense of pride in local heritage, celebrations/festivals can become pilgrimage tourist attractions, crafts promotion and production in large scale etc. All these impacts or changes were observed. Pilgrimage Tourism has influenced the society of Lumbini in both the local quality of life and the sense of place. In fact the movement of the outsiders in any area could not be impact less; of course the level of impact can vary on various aspects. From the economic aspects job generation by hotels /lodges is a very important impact of pilgrimage tourism in India It is obvious that the hotels and lodges are meant for the visitors who do not have home out there. The entry of outsiders obviously requires the home to live in for food and shelter and consequently local people have to work for it. Every hotels and quarters hold paid staffs and workers as par the nature and size of their operations. Total of 103 personnel are busy in undertaking of accommodation base in India out of them 72.81% are skilled and non-skilled workers. In order to make destination more interesting, according to the master plan, different structures have been under construction in the India, which requires workers. More than 50 people from the VDC are involved as the workers/laborers in the new construction site of the india where different structures like Monasteries, Stupas, Temples and Hotels etc. are under construction. They earn Rs. 1500 to 3000 per month during working periods. This is another important impact of pilgrimage tourism development in India regarding the employment (Acharya, 2001). Generation of new economic activities like hiring of cycles, parking of vehicles, taking care of tourist's goods for the time being, guiding etc. have come into view. These events have not been wholly institutionalized as a separate trade but make available an extra profit to the indigenous population. The common public free of work or with some other enterprises carries out these works. Such new areas of income emerged as a result of pilgrimage tourism which is not only and economic phenomena but an influential cultural phenomenon too because engagement in different activities brings changes in the daily life styles. Employment generation and formation of new economic activities raise the income of the people which obviously affects living standard.. The jobholders both private and government involve this category. The generations of the jobs in the private sector are due to pilgrimage tourism but they are not paid directly by the tourists. And the 43.08% farmers though do not deal directly with tourist have felt an increment in income around two to three thousand rupees due to the increased demand of food grains to feed the tourist flow. Nearly the half 49.61% are found to be directly benefited from the tourists. The small (1.62%) part involving hoteliers have made money up to large extent i.e. above ten thousands. And the transport owners, comprising 2.43% of the total, lie at the second level regarding the level of income from tourists. Another 32.52% involve the rickshaw pullers, gift shops etc. They lie at the third level. The students comprising nearly 5% too earn money working as guide for tourists. All these economic impacts (employment, new economic activities) of pilgrimage tourism affect the daily life style of the people and consequently the socio-culture slowly but surely. From the socio-cultural point of view alteration in the occupation is a key change caused by tourism. Obviously the local people seek those economic activities with more income and chances of further expansion. Owing to different internal and external reasons people tend to make an alteration in their current works. They either change the occupation or add extra activities as an occupation. Out of the total 123 responses 44% have altered their present profession. The 43% of the total occupation altering respondents have added wage laboring or rickshaws pulling work in farming. Similarly 9% work in government and private offices in addition to farming. They represent both self-sustained and un-sustained group of respondents. And nearly 21% of the respondents have added hotel and general trade. Changes of profession have been seen among 26%. The 21% of such respondents have quitted teashop and transformed into gift (mala) shop because it generates more income directly from the pilgrimage tourists. And 2% (labourers) have invested on general stores; by still not giving up the laboring. Similarly, the 4% farmers have altered to transport service with bus, jeep and tractors. The actual amount of income generated by pilgrimage tourists is problematical to recognize for the reason that the pilgrimage tourism has influenced all segments of the economic system. Such alterations are mainly due to the income i.e. chances for generating more income. Furthermore, the professions involving direct interaction with foreigners is more charming for them. Fisher (1986: 50) noted that, Sherpas wear either their own Tibetan costumes or the western but not a Nepalese dress. Obviously the people either do (eat, wear) what they are habituated of doing within their culture or they copy some favorable items from them who are in repeated contact with them. In case of India too, more than 40% of our respondents have felt changes in their dressing patterns as a result of the pilgrimage tourism. Nearly 2% of the respondents have realized small change in food habits and tastes. Actually the food habit and taste to which the local people are accustomed from many years is very hard and needless to be modified though the need for tourist's satisfaction have diversified the menu too. Such a diversification of menu is very important impact from the cultural standpoint. The group of nearly 15% realized all of the changes stated above and also added that the local people's view toward their daily life too has got some modifications; it is what takes place inside one's attitude. Money minded ness caused by tourists' spending pattern is what made them change professions. The information about foreign culture, which the local people can daily observe has made them attracted toward the accessories like cameras, vehicles, watches etc as well as the intention to go abroad to enjoy foreign life style and earn money. Pilgrimage Tourism event in India has influenced the concealed attitude of the local people along with some modifications in their visible culture. From the environmental aspect india has been facing some impacts which cannot be watered down though not to the great extent. Along with the gradual development of pilgrimage tourism, construction of different structures is necessary. In India full of Sal forest before the adoption of the Development Master Plan in 1978 (Okada, 1969) has now been converted to a concrete park representing Buddhism and other kinds of basic infrastructures. In fact the outlook of the area has taken a new look. It is the most important environmental impact induced by tourism. Besides the people both the pilgrimage tourists and the locale experience air pollution caused by the dusty roads and the poor conditioned vehicles but to check this government has applied some electric vehicles for transportation, which is the desired step. The solid waste problem is not so remarkable because the site for garbage disposal is adequate in the area. Generally the visitors consume the locally available food and do not need to carry extra food packets. Camping and tenting are not favorable in the area. The local people fulfill the need of firewood and pasture from the existing forest of India . Majority of the people use Cow dung as the main source of fuel so the pressure for firewood is not so severe but the grazing problem exists. The locale socially has inclined toward the need of tourism. The pilgrimage tourism development has reinforced the functional unity among the two diverse nature of religion. Both of the religious communities have started to consider garden as a collective heritage. This justifies the changes in the sense of place among the people. Unless the people understand what they have in their place which of interest for the foreigners abroad, pilgrimage tourism development is hardly possible.

Religious tourism and its economic impacts

Religious tourism is recognized as one of the most resilient markets in the travel industry. Many seminars also conducted like "The New Era of Religious Tourism" at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market in Dubai and also in many other countries. Religious tourism is recognized as one of the most resilient markets in the travel industry. Many seminars also conducted like "The New Era of Religious Tourism" at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market in Dubai and also in many other countries. There is no denying the fact that with changes in the industry, tour operators and travel companies will need to examine alternative business avenues to increase profits during these challenging times when recession period increases at high rate. At that time "Religious tourism" market can be one such possibility and remains extremely relevant to Middle East based operations appeared to be an viable alternative to short term revenue generation while trip to India. In Saudi Arabia alone, the religious tourism industry generates an estimated US$7billion annually and with the market expecting 20 per cent growth in the coming years. Tour operators, hotels and airlines all are contribute their efforts to tap into the religious market. Pilgrimages and people with faith play an vital role as sole driver of the religious market across the full spectrum of sub-sectors which drive the industry. Apart from Saudi Arabia "The Middle East" is also plays an important role during India tours in pushing religious tourism all over the world. Middle East Asia is already the world's largest driver of religious travel, tourism and hospitality, with the sector fuelling the region's current annual tourism growth of 11 percent per annum. However, there is discussion among tourism specialist that travel providers need to develop the best possible travel experiences to leverage income from the three billion people around the world who trace their religious roots and faiths to the Middle East where they can easily arrange hotel booking and India tour packages. Iraq is also emerging as a serious player in the sector. It also contribute enough revenue from religious tours travel from its economy as there are many pilgrimage centers presents there where tourists can also offer with online hotel booking that attracts tourists towards religious tour. During challenging time mean at recession period "The religious tourism" market is one such possibility and remains extremely relevant to Middle East based operations that proves to be best alternative to tourism industry to earn possible profits. However, Saudi Arabia alone, the religious tourism industry generates an estimated US$7billion annually.

THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF PILGRIMAGE TOURISM

Socially pilgrimage tourism has a great influence on the host societies. pilgrimage Tourism can be both a source of international amity, peace and understanding and a destroyer and corrupter of indigenous cultures, a source of ecological destruction, an assault of people's privacy, dignity, and authenticity. Here are possible positive effects of pilgrimage tourism: • Developing positive attitudes towards each other • Learning about each other's culture and customs • Reducing negative perceptions and stereotypes • Developing friendships • Developing pride, appreciation, understanding, respect, and tolerance for each other's culture • Increasing self-esteem of hosts and tourists • Psychological satisfaction with interaction So, social contacts between tourists and local people may result in mutual appreciation, understanding, tolerance, awareness, learning, family bonding respect, and liking. Residents are educated about the outside world without leaving their homes, while their visitors significantly learn about a distinctive culture. Local communities are benefited through contribution by pilgrimage tourism to the improvement of the social infrastructure like schools, libraries, health care institutions, internet cafes, and so on. Besides, if local culture is the base for attracting pilgrimage tourists to the region, it helps to preserve the local traditions and handicrafts which maybe were on the link of the extinction. On the other side pilgrimage tourism can increase tension, hostility, and suspicion. Claims of pilgrimage tourism as a vital force for peace are exaggerated. In this context economic and social impacts on the local community depend on how much of the incomes generated by pilgrimage tourists go to the host communities. In most all-inclusive package tours more than 80% of travelers' fees go to the airlines, hotels and other international companies, not to local businessmen and workers. On the other hand large hotel chain restaurants often import food to satisfy foreign visitors and rarely employ local staff for senior management positions, preventing local farmers and workers from reaping the benefit of their presence. Pilgrimage Tourism has the power to affect cultural change. Successful development of a resource can lead to numerous negative impacts. Among these are overdevelopment, assimilation, conflict, and artificial reconstruction. While presenting a culture to pilgrimage tourists may help preserve the culture, it can also dilute or even destroy it. The point is to promote pilgrimage tourism in the region so that it would both give incomes and create respect for the local tradition and culture. There are also both negative and positive impacts of pilgrimage tourism on the local ecology. Pilgrimage Tourism often grows into mass-tourism. It leads to the over consumption, pollution, and lack of resources. Thus, the preceding paragraphs show that the impact of pilgrimage tourism on local communities can be both positive and negative, whether it comes to economic, social, or environmental effects. It depends to which extent pilgrimage tourism is developed in a particular region. Every region has its bearing capacity, that is to say the limit of the incoming influence that does not harm the host community. If we overcome that limit negative impacts of tourism will follow.

The Economic and Social Impacts of pilgrimage Tourism

The Economic and Social Impact of pilgrimage Tourism Today, pilgrimage tourism is one of the largest and dynamically developing sectors of external economic activities. Its high growth and development rates, considerable volumes of foreign currency inflows, infrastructure development, and introduction of new management and educational experience actively affect various sectors of economy, which positively contribute to the social and economic development of the country as a whole. According to recent statistics, pilgrimage tourism provides about 10% of the world's income and employs almost one tenth of the world's workforce. All considered, pilgrimage tourism's actual and potential economic impact is astounding. Many people emphasize the positive aspects of pilgrimage tourism as a source of foreign exchange, a way to balance foreign trade, an "industry without chimney". But there are also a number of other positive and negative sides of pilgrimage tourism

Negative Economic Impacts of pilgrimage Tourism

There are many hidden costs to pilgrimage tourism, which can have unfavorable economic effects on the host community. The less developed region have the most urgent need for income, employment and general rise of the standard of living by means of pilgrimage tourism, but they are not able to realize these benefits fully,. Among the reasons for this are large-scale transfer of pilgrimage tourism revenues out of the host country and exclusion of local businesses and products. Leakage: The direct income for an area is the amount of pilgrimage tourist expenditure that remains locally after taxes, profits, and wages are paid outside the area and after imports are purchased; these subtracted amounts are called leakage. In most all-inclusive package tours, about 80% of travelers' expenditures go to the airlines, hotels and other international companies (who often have their headquarters in the travelers' home city), and not to local businesses or workers. They are the ones that possess the necessary capital to invest in the construction of pilgrimage tourism infrastructure and facilities.

Pilgrimage tourism and its chrachtersitcs

Pilgrimages Are Often Big Business

It is estimated that in the US alone some 25% of the traveling public is interested in some form of pilgrimage or faith-based tourism. When one adds to this the number of people who travel for faith-based conventions, and faith based activities such as weddings, bar mitzvahs or funerals, the number becomes extraordinarily large. World Religious Travel is one of the fastest growing segments in travel today. Religious travel is estimated at a value of US$18 billion and 300 million travelers strong. Major faith based destinations such as Israel, Italy and Saudi Arabia have developed large industries that provide services for people on pilgrimage.

Group or Individual Tourism

Pilgrimages may occur as a form of group or individual tourism. Especially among young people (who compose about one third of the faith-based visitors) there are a great number of people who seek spiritual aspects to their vacations. Think through what areas of your community offer a chance to increase self-awareness or spirituality.

Less Threatened by Economic Crisis

Pilgrimage travel is often less prone to economic ups and downs in the market place. Because faith-based travelers are committed travelers they tend to save for these religious experiences and travel despite the state of the economy. Faith travelers tend to have different motives for travel then do travelers for other reasons. For example, the faith-based traveler often travels as part of a religious obligation or to fulfill a spiritual mission. Faith-based travel can provide a steady flow of income to a local tourism economy.

All Ages and All Nationalities

The pilgrimage and faith based market has the advantage of appealing to people from around the world, of all ages and of all nationalities. Tourism and travel professionals should be aware that this market might well double by the year 2020. To add to this number many faith-based travelers prefer to travel in groups rather than as individuals.

Be Sensitive to Religious Needs

Religiously aware professionals will do best with this market. From airlines to hotels, those travel and tourism professionals who are sensitive to religious needs are going to do better. Among the things to consider are types of food served, types of music played and when activities take place. As in other forms of tourism it is essential to know your market. For example, airlines that do not offer vegetarian meals may lose a portion of the faith-based market whose religion has specific food restrictions.

Develop Your Faith-Based Tourism

A recent study reported by the Associate Press found that in the Judeo-Christian world Israel is the number one preference of faith-based travelers followed by Italy and then England; however, faith-based tourism does not have to be built around a classical pilgrimage site. There is no doubt that it helps to have a major religious center, such as Jerusalem, Mecca, or Rome most locales will never have such holy sites. Lack of a religious center does not mean however that a location cannot develop faith-based tourism. Florida has created its own Bible land, and multiple cities around the world have found ways to incorporate religious holidays into their tourism product.

Coordinate with Pilgrim's Needs

Support industries must coordinate with the pilgrimage cycle and needs. All too often the spirituality that visitors seek is lost at the level of supporting industries. During faith based tourism periods it is essential that hotels and restaurants connect with the arts and cultural communities to develop an overall faith based product rather than a mishmash of unrelated offerings.

Resources for Religious Tourism

Be aware of new and exciting resources for pilgrimage and faith-based travel. For examples the website Grouple.com has a whole section dedicated to religious travel. Major religious institutions also maintain travel centers for people of their faith. Another inspiration for pilgrimages may be called the anti-faith based traveler. For example, the fictional works of J. K. Rowling' Harry Potter, Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, Shakespeare's plays - have all created pilgrimages.

 Conclusions

Pilgrimage Tourism can be termed as a socio-cultural institution with different economical, environmental, psychological, and political dimensions. Its impacts rest on host society whose ways of life are affected and on the tourists who take it as a very important part of their life time. Fisher (1986:58)

Noted that in short run pilgrimage tourism is enormously popular with Sherpas of Khumbu. Obviously,

Pilgrimage tourism itself as a peaceful phenomenon can be well linked in no time, once it has firmly started it has been attracting and accommodating pilgrimage tourists from different parts of the world

from many years and furthermore this trend is increasing. It can be straightforwardly confirmed that the pilgrimage tourism industry has become a job generator; both service oriented and product oriented. Increased income by job generation help raise standard of living. In addition the diversification of various new economic activities can lessen the big social problem of unemployment. People of the area welcome pilgrimage tourism as they have realized its importance, particularly from the economical aspect. Pilgrimage Tourism has facilitated the development of the sense of place among the people. They are conscious about the pilgrimage that has been preserved from many years. The locales have slowly but surely come to be aware of the secret which is of interest for the people around the world. Consequently more care and protection is supplied to the cultural heritage collectively by them. Such a joint effort not only improves the attraction of the destination but also unites people together. the impact of pilgrimage tourism on local communities can be both positive and negative, whether it comes to economic, social, or environmental effects. It depends to which extent pilgrimage tourism is developed in a particular region. Every region has its bearing capacity, that is to say the limit of the incoming influence that does not harm the host community. If we overcome that limit negative impacts of tourism will follow.