Evaluating the Adequacy of Ecotourism Services in the Himalayan Regions of Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Abstract

This study investigates the adequacy of ecotourism-related services and facilities in the Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Tungnath regions of Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand-areas known for their ecological significance and religious tourism. With growing tourist inflow in these Himalayan destinations, assessing infrastructure and service quality is critical to ensuring sustainable tourism development. Data were collected from 270 tourists through structured, closed-ended questionnaires using a 5-point Likert scale, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Thirteen key variables related to physical, financial, communication, health, and tourism infrastructure were evaluated. The results show that all services were rated above the neutral threshold of satisfaction, indicating an overall perception of adequacy. High satisfaction was reported for information centers, sanitation, and transportation, while medical services and tour operator facilities scored relatively lower, suggesting specific areas for improvement. The findings support the hypothesis that current ecotourism services and facilities in the study area are adequate. The study highlights the need for targeted enhancements to improve tourist experiences and promote long-term, sustainable ecotourism development in rural Himalayan regions.