An Analytical Study on Immersive Experiences of Tribal Tourism in Telangana: Culture, Fairs and Festivals
Author : Dr. Gujjeti Thirupathi
Abstract :
Tourism serves as a powerful medium for cultural exchange, economic progress, and sustainable development. Within this domain, tribal tourism has emerged as a significant niche that offers travelers authentic interactions with indigenous communities and their traditional lifestyles. In the Indian context, Telangana stands out as a culturally vibrant state endowed with diverse tribal populations such as the Gonds, Koyas, Chenchus, Lambadis, and Yerukulas, who preserve distinctive customs, art forms, and ecological knowledge systems. This study provides an analytical account of the thirty-two notified tribes of Telangana, exploring their cultural practices, festivals, culinary traditions, occupations, and settlement patterns through secondary data, ethnographic reports, and census documentation. It further examines the potential of tribal tourism as a catalyst for cultural preservation, livelihood generation, and community empowerment. The study is supported by an extensive field survey involving 500 respondents, including tribal community members, local stakeholders, policymakers, and tourists. This multi-perspective approach enables a comprehensive understanding of how tribal tourism influences socio-economic conditions, cultural preservation, and sustainable development in Telangana. The responses provide valuable insights into community participation levels, policy implementation gaps, and tourist perceptions of authenticity and experience quality. The findings emphasize the need for collaborative strategies among government bodies, private enterprises, and tribal communities to ensure inclusive and responsible growth of tribal tourism in the region. The study emphasizes the necessity of adopting sustainable tourism models that prevent cultural commodification while ensuring inclusive participation of tribal communities in tourism development. By integrating policy frameworks, capacity-building initiatives, and responsible tourism practices, Telangana can position itself as a leading destination for experiential and community-based tribal tourism in India.
Keywords :
Tribal Tourism, Telangana, Cultural Heritage, Community Empowerment, Sustainable Development, Indigenous Knowledge, Experiential Tourism.
