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ABSTRACT
This research was an attempt to know the perceptions of Tourism professionals' towards tourism development and its socio cultural impacts atJaisalmer a historic city in the Thar Desertof Indian state Rajasthan. A total number of 97 respondents were questioned19 variables in a form of structured questionnaire. With the help of PCA Factor analysis these variables were reduced into four groups and with the help of one way ANOVA results were obtained.This study finds out that there are both positive and negative Socio cultural impacts of tourism at Jaisalmer and there exists Good guest host relationship, with government playing a vital role in tourism development.
INTRODUCTION
Set in the arid plains of western Rajasthan, in the midst of the vast Thar Desert, the city of Jaisalmer is a living fortress dominated by a 12th century 'golden' castle (it is made with the yellowish colored local sandstone). The town contains wonderful examples of a unique architectural style and ensembles of buildings of great visual quality and unsurpassed artisanship. The town possesses a conspicuous medieval appearance. In the 12th century A.D. Mohammed Gauri destroyed the area of Lodarva city. Then King Jaisal established a new fort and this way city was founded in 1156 AD as a military fort controlling the legendary eastwest caravan route. Name of fort was first Jaisalgarh, and then became Jaisalmer: Jaisal + Meru (Meru is the name of a hill).Bhatti Rajputs ruled the city and they consequently prospered, and protected town that grew within the fort walls.
The socio-cultural potential of a destination can best be understood by looking into its past and symbols of past that still are connected with the present. Every culture originates in a specific geographical setting and forms a close link with the natural environment that surrounds it. The culture and society are no more an exception to this phenomenon. The society and culture at Jaisalmer is an expression of typical Rajasthan culture, which is so beautifully mixed with its natural environment that has, become a source of attraction for the tourists.
The culture of Jaisalmer carries the aesthetics and excellence of the past, which, even in the modern times, has few parallels.It is this unique character of culture that is found preserved and nurtured in...