ZENITH International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research _________ISSN 2231-5780 Vol.8 (10), OCTOBER (2018), pp. 330-340 Online available at zenithresearch.org.in EXTENT AND OUTREACH OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN ECO-TOURISM – A STUDY BASED ON KOZHIKODE DISTRICT JOEL OOMMEN MUZHANGODY ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (GUEST) AT KUNNAMANGALAM GOVERNMENT ARTS & SCIENCE COLLEGE, KOZHIKODE, KERALA, INDEPENDENT RESEARCHER,NATIONAL LEVEL QUIZZER COMPLETED POST GRADUATION IN ECONOMICS FROM ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE DEVAGIRI(AUTONOMOUS)-UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIA. [email protected] ABSTRACT Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. It means responsible travel to natural areas conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people. Hence Eco- tourism is strongly linked to the lives of the local people who are its beneficiaries It is here where eco- tourism is allied to community participation. It is the tourism of nature without hurting nature. In this study community participation of Ecotourism of Kozhikode district, Kerala was studied using 50 Households of Kodencheri Panchayat. It was observed that Community’s standards of living were raised through their participation in tourism. KEYWORDS: Attitude, Community Participation, Eco Tourism, Kodencheri, Kozhikode. REFERENCE District Tourism Council Promotion –Kozhikode –Report 2015 George Abraham,Bijith: Community Participation in Ecotourism: An inclusive development option for Kerala (2015) India Tourism Statistics At a glance 2015 Joseph P.D: Local Involvement in Tourism – EPRA International Journal of Economic and Business Review (April 2014) Kerala Tourism Report 2012 Kumar,Pradeep - Local Residents Perception and Attitude towards Model Tourism Village Kumbalangy Kerala (2003) Liedwij Van Brengel: Community based tourism- Local Participation and Perceived Impacts (2013) ZENITH International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research _________ISSN 2231-5780 Vol.8 (10), OCTOBER (2018), pp. 330-340 Online available at zenithresearch.org.in Muganda Michael – Tourism Development (2013) Shankar,Ravi Services Marketing – The Indian Experiences, (1998) ACKNOWLEDGMENT Dr Asha Thomas – Assistant Professor –Department of Economics- St Josephs’College Devagiri (Autonomous) Department of Tourism - Kerala .