Issues And Opportunities Faced By Researchers Conducting Qualitative Tourism Research In India

Abstract

Qualitative research methods served as the foundation for studying tourist experiences while examining stakeholder perspectives along with cultural interactions especially within India's diverse environment. The effectiveness of qualitative studies faced barriers because researchers encountered methodological and ethical and accessibility challenges. The resolution of these problems became crucial to enhance research adaptability and secure relevant findings that supported sustainable tourism development. The research analyzed the primary difficulties and chances that researchers encounter when performing qualitative tourism studies in India. The study analyzed methodological challenges and ethical concerns and accessibility limitations through its examination of emerging research approaches such as digital ethnography and interdisciplinary research and AI-based analysis for improving Indian tourism sector qualitative research frameworks. The research adopted a qualitative design with 20 interviews conducted through semi-structured online sessions among Indian tourism researchers along with academicians and experts from universities and tourism organizations. Research on qualitative tourism in India encounters three main barriers which include strict research methodologies alongside limited researcher access to participants and ethical challenges that hinder effective study outcomes. The research findings established that combining novel research strategies with digital training for data literacy along with adaptable data gathering approaches would strengthen Indian qualitative tourism investigations. The study made important contributions to improving both qualitative research methods and ethical standards while promoting new methodological approaches for the Indian tourism industry.