Dealing with the guest-host relationship in destination planning: A socio-economic analysis in the light of Sikkim

Tourism is one of the emerging subjects in human geography dealing with interaction between human society and physical environment of a place. Being emerging socio-economic and cultural phenomenon tourism has been registering a significant impact on biological, cultural and social environment of a place. Sikkim is a separate bio-geographic region with its rich biodiversity and multiethnic communities. Scenic and idyllic landscapes, variety of orchids, vegetation pattern, multiethnic community and warm hospitality have created a congenial environment for the development and promotion of tourism in Sikkim. But the development and promotion of tourism as an important socio-economic and cultural phenomenon has either side that seeks to balance between conventional socio-economic development and conservation of resources. The present article is a socio-economical analysis of guest-host relationship contributing to the sustainable tourism development in one of the Himalayan states in India.