Analysis of challenges of private tour operators in developing successful business: Case study of Assam

Assam, the premier North Eastern state of India, has a long history of hosting wildlife tours inside its world famous Kaziranga National Park since 1904. Tour operators operating from the state have been carrying millions of domestic and international tourists annually to various destinations of Assam and its adjacent states of North East India. At present, around seventy Government of Assam recognised Private Tour Operators and one Government tour operator under Assam Tourism Development Corporation are providing valuable services to the tourists visiting this part of the country. The present study intends to study the challenges faced by the Private Tour Operators of Assam and also to try to put forward few suggestions for the improvement of their business conditions. The research work is mostly based on primary data collected during the interactions with the officials of the Private Tour Operators of Assam and few secondary data are also gathered from various printed and online publications, records of the Directorate of Tourism-Assam and various research publications. The research results determined the existence of many challenges that Private Tour Operators need to deal with while operating from this remotest part of India. It is expected that the research results will help the Private Tour Operators of Assam in finding solutions to some of their problems and thereby improving their business conditions. This study is also believed to serve the state tourism department and policymakers to formulate plans for the development of tour operators in particular and tourism in general for the state.