Ecotourism and Sustainable Livelihoods: An Economic Analysis of Rural Communities in the Western Ghats of Kerala

Abstract

Ecotourism has emerged as a vital strategy for linking biodiversity conservation with sustainable rural livelihoods. This study examined the impact of ecotourism participation on income stability, employment opportunities, and savings and investment behaviour among rural households in the Western Ghats of Kerala. A stratified random sample of 300 households, comprising 150 ecotourism participants and 150 non-participants, was surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The tool included a 40-item, five-point Likert scale covering household income stability, employment opportunities, and savings and investment behaviour, along with a 10-item sub-scale on ecotourism participation administered to participants only. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, regression analysis, and Pearson correlation with EDUSTAT software. Results indicated that ecotourism participants reported significantly higher household income stability, greater employment opportunities, and stronger savings and investment practices. The findings confirm that ecotourism contributes positively to economic sustainability, while also underscoring the need for policy support, skill development, and financial inclusion to maximise its benefits.