Religious Tourism and Local Economic Development: An Econometric Analysis of Tourist Spending in Haridwar District, Uttarakhand

Shailendra Kumar Singh; Nutan Singh; Gorakh Nath

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.66281

Religious Tourism and Local Economic Development: An Econometric Analysis of Tourist Spending in Haridwar District, Uttarakhand

Author(s)	Dr. Shailendra Kumar Singh, Ms. Nutan Singh, Dr. Gorakh Nath
Country	India
Abstract	Religious tourism is a significant component of the tourism sector and the state economy in Uttarakhand, playing a crucial role in regional income generation and employment creation. This study analyzes the role of religious tourism in strengthening the local economy, with a specific focus on the Haridwar district. Primary data were collected from 400 respondents through a structured questionnaire, including information on tourists' socio-economic characteristics, expenditure patterns, service quality, infrastructure, and perceived economic impacts. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models were used to identify the determinants of daily tourist expenditure. The study findings indicate that the length of stay, non-local tourist status, accommodation quality, cleanliness, and overall tourist satisfaction have a positive and statistically significant impact on daily expenditure. Conversely, demographic factors such as age and the quality of public transportation were found to be statistically insignificant. The results also suggest that tourists visiting solely for pilgrimage purposes spend less than those who combine religious travel with cultural or recreational activities. The study concludes that religious tourism in Haridwar generates significant economic benefits, but its full potential can only be realized through improved service quality, effective destination management, and the adoption of value-based and experience-oriented tourism policies focused on visitor satisfaction. Thus, the study's findings provide important policy implications for sustainable and inclusive tourism-based economic development in Uttarakhand.
Keywords	Religious Tourism; Tourist Expenditure; Economic Impact; Haridwar District; OLS Regression
Field	Mathematics > Economy / Commerce
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-01-11
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.66281

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Religious Tourism and Local Economic Development: An Econometric Analysis of Tourist Spending in Haridwar District, Uttarakhand

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