Development of Mountain-Based Rural Tourism: A Case Study of Dhotrey Village of Darjeeling, West Bengal

Mountain-based rural tourism has emerged as a sustainable alternative for economic development in remote and ecologically sensitive areas. This study explores the developmental problems and prospects of rural tourism in Dhotrey, a small Himalayan village located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Dhotrey has seen increasing tourist interest due to its natural beauty and trekking opportunities. However, the growth of tourism in the region is constrained by inadequate infrastructure, poor connectivity, limited healthcare, environmental pressures, and the lack of trained manpower. Through field surveys, interviews, and secondary data analysis, this study identifies these challenges and evaluates the village's potential for sustainable tourism development. The SWOT-AHP analysis have been used to find out the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of Dhotrey, which concludes by recommending a participatory development model that combines government support, local community involvement, and environmental conservation to harness tourism as a tool for rural upliftment.