Mapping the Impact of Motorcycle Tourism in Trans-Himalayas: A Study on Alternative Livelihood Creation in Rural Ladakh, India

Motorcycle tourism has become one of the emerging tourism trends in India. This unique form of tourism requires professional expertise in addition to technical skilled guidance and specialized equipment. It is particularly popular in rural and remote regions of the Himalayas. However, it is important to promote it in a sustainable manner, and very few studies have scrutinized it from a sustainability standpoint. To fill this gap, this study aims to answer two research questions: (1) how can the current contribution of the motorcycle tourism market be mapped in a manner that it meaningfully contributes to the economy of rural communities located in the remote parts of Ladakh? and (2) what is the best technique to conceptualize innovative initiatives that support sustainable tourism underpinned on inclusivity and pro-poor guidelines? A conceptual sustainable livelihood model is proposed.