Abstract

Tourism plays a major role in social development of a place. Developing a location for tourism not only brings in more tourists but also has several inter related advantages. There are several problems and possibilities faced during the development of tourism in a place. Developing a location for tourism brings in more tourists. Since the tourists rate increase, food and accommodation for tourists has to be provided. The hotels and lodges are opened for the tourists through whom revenue can be generated. Moreover transport facilities for that place increases, which paves way for the place to become a perfect holiday destination. Once it gets identified as a tourist spot, the government takes efforts to make it environmental friendly and the tourist rates increase rapidly. The major factor which is required to be considered is because of the opening of hotels and lodges, more job opportunities are created for the people and local community people have an extended advantage of being the tour guide of the destination. This research paper focuses on the major tourist destination Mahabalipuram also called as Mahabalipuram located right on the coramandel coast very next to Bay of Bengal in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. During the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 10th centuries, it was a well-known sea port and also has several arts, architectures, rock cut caves etc. The researcher feels that Mahabalipuram has seen a quick development socially as Tourism & handicraft industry provides several job opportunities to the people. Even the opening of several beach resorts and hotels increased the transport facilities and tourist rates. The researcher is undertaking a qualitative analysis by taking in depth interviews using questionnaires from the local community and workers there to know about the role of tourism in social development.