Tribal Culture as a Pull Factor: Its Influence on Tourist Satisfaction – A Case Study of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur

This study examines the impact of tribal culture as a draw factor on tourist satisfaction, with a particular emphasis on the regions of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. Tourism is distinguished from mainstream attractions by the authenticity, traditions, and immersive experiences of tribal culture. The study implemented a quantitative design and a primary research approach, employing a self-structured Likert scale questionnaire to ascertain the perspectives of tourists regarding festivals, rituals, handicrafts, architecture, and environmental practices. Data were collected from 60 randomly selected respondents and “analyzed using SPSS through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. The results demonstrate a robust and statistically significant positive correlation between tourist satisfaction and tribal culture (R = 0.812, R² = 0.659, p < 0.001).” This suggests that the perceived value of tribal cultural experiences accounts for nearly two-thirds of the variance in satisfaction. The appeal of cultural immersion among experience-seeking travelers is reflected in the preponderance of young, educated participants, as indicated by demographic patterns. The findings are consistent with the existing literature, which underscores the transformative potential of genuine cultural engagement. The study concludes that the preservation and promotion of tribal culture in a sustainable and community-inclusive manner can improve tourist satisfaction while also protecting indigenous heritage. This has significant implications for local communities, tourism developers, and policymakers in the promotion of responsible cultural tourism.