The Impacts of Cultural Heritage Tourism: A Case Study of Ajanta Caves in India

Cultural Heritage Tourism uses the remains of history which the traveler is interested. Cultural Heritage Tourism has positive and negative impact on social-cultural, physical and economic aspects of Indian Society. Ajanta Caves in India which is a world heritage site and caves of Buddhist affiliation have been carved in Deccan basalt.

From a social-cultural perspective tourism affects cultural resources through changes in forms and functions of traditional artworks, commodification of living culture, crowded condition and community members. Tourist activities exact physical impacts on precious heritage in form of vandalism, wear, tear and pollutions. On a more positive note, tourism from the increasing number of people, helps in creating jobs and taxes and stimulates entrepreneurialism in heritage destinations (Timothy 2011).

This study recognizes the impacts of Cultural Heritage Tourism at Ajanta Caves and its surroundings region in western India. For this research project, primary data are collected through observation and interviews of local community members, visitors, agents and officers of tourism department and on the secondary data obtained from books, journals, survey reports, publication of government. 

First part of this paper presents understanding of Ajanta caves as general description and significance of Ajanta caves. Second part of this paper analyses impacts of cultural heritage tourism on Ajanta caves through the collected data as well as discusses the multiplier impacts of tourism such as physical, economic, and social dimensions on the Ajanta Caves and tries to study it from an integrated approach. Third is part of summary, conclusions and recommendations. Thus, this study about impacts of cultural heritage tourism analyses how for best it can increase the positive impacts and restrict the negative impacts in order to preserve the Ajanta Caves, so that they can be enjoyed by contemporary and future generations on society.