ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF TOURISM ON LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN CHENNAI CITY

Tourism is globally recognized as a premier economic sector and is increasingly prioritized in developing nations as a strategic vehicle for poverty alleviation and an alternative to traditional industrialization. This study investigates the vital role of tourism in driving local economic development, with a primary objective of assessing its impact on employment generation and the stimulation of entrepreneurship. Adopting a descriptive research design, the study utilized a mixed-method approach comprising self-administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews to gather primary data. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and percentages. The findings reveal a nuanced economic reality; while tourism facilitates entry into the market, significant structural gaps remain regarding job security and gender equity. Furthermore, the results highlight that local economic gains are frequently counterbalanced by a rising cost of living and intensified pressure on community resources. These findings imply that for tourism to be a sustainable development tool, policy frameworks must address these socio-economic disparities and resource constraints.