International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Tea Tourism in Assam: Potential for Sustainable Rural Development

Tourism has emerged as an important sector for economic growth, employment generation and regional development across the world. Among the various forms of niche tourism, tea tourism has gained increasing attention because of its ability to combine agricultural heritage, cultural experiences and sustainable rural development. Assam, the largest tea-producing state in India, possesses immense potential for tea tourism owing to its extensive tea plantations, colonial heritage, scenic landscapes and global reputation for tea production. The present study examines the potential of tea tourism as a tool for sustainable rural development in Assam using secondary data collected from government reports, Tea Board publications, tourism statistics and research studies. The findings indicate that tea tourism contributes to employment generation, income diversification, cultural preservation and local entrepreneurship. At the same time, challenges such as infrastructure deficiencies, climate change, labour welfare concerns and weak destination branding continue to affect the growth of the sector. The study concludes that strategic investments, community participation, improved infrastructure and sustainable tourism planning can transform tea tourism into a major driver of rural development in Assam. By integrating tourism with agricultural heritage and local livelihoods, tea tourism can contribute significantly to inclusive and sustainable economic development in the state.