Evaluating the Impact of Cross Border Tourism and People to People Contact on the Regional Cooperation in South Asia: A Study of India and Bangladesh

ABSTRACTIn these early decades of the 21st century, one of the most severe difficulties facing citizens worldwide is the task of peacefully coexisting with others in all spheres of personal and public life. This study explores whether cross-border tourism enhances the regional cooperation between the two South Asian countries of India and Bangladesh. The mediating role of people-to-people contact is also investigated. A total of 265 completed questionnaire sets, using convenient sampling, were collected through an online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) approach were used to put the suggested model through its steps and provide empirical support for the hypotheses. The results indicate that the expansion of cross-border tourism, bilateral trade, and people-to-people contact between India and Bangladesh has a favorable effect on their cross-border cooperation. The findings also show that cooperation between the countries is attributed to people-to-people contact in combination with cross-border tourism. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is an introductory study to uncover the vital significance of cross-border tourism in bridging the nations through cross-border tourism by incorporating people-to-people contact. The findings have ramifications for policymakers, planners, and government authorities attempting to enhance people-to-people communication for improved diplomatic connections.KEYWORDS: Cross-border tourismcooperationtradeIndiaBangladeshSEM Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).DisclaimerThe authors are neutral regarding the international boundaries shown on the map. The work is only for academic purposes