Beyond hospitality: unpacking the role of hotel industry in catalyzing tourism-led inclusive growth in Jammu & Kashmir

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of the hotel industry in promoting tourism-led inclusive growth (T-LIG) in the tourist destinations of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It investigates how hotels contribute to inclusive growth within the tourism sector and identifies various challenges that affect inclusive outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a qualitative methodology, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 32 hotel owners and managers, selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 14 to uncover patterns and themes related to inclusive growth practices. Findings The analysis reveals that while the hotel sector generates employment and fosters local economic linkages, these contributions do not automatically translate into inclusive growth. Structural barriers, such as gender inequality, digital exclusion and inconsistent corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, limit s broad-based participation. Larger hotels implement formal CSR initiatives, whereas small and medium-sized hotels support local communities through informal practices like local hiring and procurement. Originality/value The study offers a unique hotel-level perspective on T-LIG by examining the hotel industry as a distinct operational node within the tourism sector and identifying the conditions that enable or constrain inclusive growth in the fragile destination of Jammu and Kashmir.