Article
Sustainable Tourism in India: Assessing the Effectiveness of Carbon-Neutral Destination Policies
This research explores carbon-neutral tourism in India focusing on tourist awareness, perceptions, eco-friendly behaviour and constraints faced by tourism stakeholders (businesses and local communities) in practising sustainable tourism. Primary data were collected from 376 respondents, and factor analysis identified several dimensions of awareness, perceptions of sustainability policies, eco-friendly travel behavior, willingness to engage in carbon-neutral tourism, and perceived challenges. The study suggests that although tourists are aware of the need for sustainable tourism, participation is driven by government support, community participation, and factors such as cost and infrastructure. The research suggests the need for holistic measures from policymakers, businesses and communities to encourage eco-friendly tourism, improve stakeholder engagement and provide effective and accessible carbon-neutral initiatives. This includes implementing effective regulations, providing incentives for sustainable practices, and educating and engaging tourists to ensure sustainable tourism's long-term success in India.