Disaster Risk and Tourism Industry Resilience: A Theoretical Framework for Risk Management in Uttarakhand’s Pilgrimage and Adventure Tourism

Abstract

Uttarakhand’s tourism sector, heavily reliant on Char Dham pilgrimage and adventure activities, operates in one of India’s most disaster-prone Himalayan regions. This paper examines the growing risks to the industry, particularly land subsidence in Joshimath and the seismic vulnerability of Tehri Dam which threaten downstream tourism hubs.

Drawing on Faulkner’s disaster management framework, Ritchie’s strategic crisis approach, the Sendai Framework and socio-ecological resilience theory, the study proposes the Himalayan Tourism Resilience Framework (HTRF). The five-phase framework i.e. Pre-Event, Prodromal, Emergency, Recovery and Adaptation & Transformation, offers mountain-specific strategies tailored to faith-based pilgrimage and remote adventure tourism. The research provides significant theoretical and policy implications for building resilient tourism in fragile Himalayan destinations.