Critical Discourse Analysis of Responsible Tourism Practices in Bouddhanath, Nepal: Implementation, and Societal Perspectives

The research explores the implementation of responsible tourism practices in the Bouddhanath area of Nepal. Using descriptive research design data was collected from 50 managers and executives of hotels and restaurants through structured interviews. These respondents were selected using convenience sampling to ensure representation from various establishments in the tourism sector. Additionally, key informant interviews were conducted with stakeholders from local authorities, and focus group discussions were held with 30 community members of different age groups to gather perspectives on responsible tourism. The research examines practices such as local employment, sustainable food sourcing, minimum wage compliance, and waste management. Data analysis is guided by Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis and Van Dijk’s socio-cognitive approach to reveal underlying ideologies and societal impacts of these initiatives. The findings provide insights into the adoption and challenges of responsible tourism in Bouddhanath, contributing to both academic literature and practical efforts to promote sustainable tourism practices globally.

Keywords: Critical Discourse Analysis, Responsible Tourism, Sustainable Practices, Tourism Development.