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Oriental Institute SHIFTING DILEMMA OF TOURISM BUSINESS MODEL FOR

SELF HELP GROUP IN SOLAPUR DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA

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Journal
of the
ISSN: 0030-5324
Oriental Institute UGC CARE Group 1
M.S. University of Baroda

SHIFTING DILEMMA OF TOURISM BUSINESS MODEL FOR SELF HELP GROUP

IN SOLAPUR DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA

Prof. Shivganga C.Maindargi1

(Assistant Professor)-Management Studies
Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune
Email-ID Shivgangam6@gmail.com
Orcid ID- 0000-0002-7410-8466

Dr.P.P.Kothari Co-Author2
Assistant Professor (Management Studies)
Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune
E-mail: pritampkothari@gmail.com
OrcidID-0000-0002-4222-0488

Mr.Ritesh Tondase3
((Assistant Professor)-Management Studies
Naralkar Institute of Career Development and Research,Pune
Ritesh.tondase@gmail.com
Abstract
Self Help Group and SHG programme has changing the shape of Business enterprises in various
industries and giving new shape towards employability and entrepreneurial activities in Rural area
across the country by developing small business. Tourism Industry is one of the important and
crucial sources to urban rural area for empowering women; Tourism industry is contributing much
in the women’s empowerment. It is one of the great platforms for enhancing and developing
innovative business practices which help to starting entrepreneurial activities and to get financial
resources through SHG’s. Solapur district is covered under good amount of holy places This will
be great insight for SHG women’s not only to get direct employability but also indirectly build
small business activities in tourism sector especially in Holy placed such as, Village tourism,
Ecohomestay, home crafts, Textile, Organic and home food stall exhibition in urban Rural
area in Solapur district.
Key Words- Women Empowerment, SHG’s, Tourism Industry, Solapur District, potential
Business models.
Introduction:
Tourism offers many opportunities to both developed and developing countries in rural, urban,
regional or cultural areas. Tourism development can be a great incentive for development and thus

Vol. 72, Issue. 01, No. 3 July-September : 2023 Page | 1

for the empowerment of women. Tourism is a tool to empower women from various aspects.
Tourism could assist women to increase power and control over natural resources; economic
empowerment; educational empowerment and political empowerment.
According to research by the World Travel & Tourism Council, travel and tourism employ nearly
twice as many women as other industries. Women account for 46.4 percent of employment in
Travel Tourism in the G20, compared to 43.3 percent across the economy as a whole.
Empowerment Tourism is about taking a community on a journey, showing them what is possible
using the skills they have, those we can teach, and the opportunities we can provide. At the end of
that journey, the local community should be able to support themselves and continue to grow with
a sense of pride that is harder to achieve when you are continually being provided with external
support.
Solapur City- The Solapur city, which is blessed with religious and historic tourist attractions.
The name 'Solapur' has been derived from the fact that it was a town made up of 16 villages.
It is known for its ecological and archaeological tourism. it is the situated in Maharashtra and
border of Karnataka and Andrapradesh state .The city is one of the most sought after holiday places
in Maharashtra owing to the different nature of its popular tourist attractions. Solapur special food
is kadak bhakari, thecha, shenga chutney, shenga poli, khawa poli. Both veg and non veg are
famous mostly pure veg."Solapuri chadars" are the famous and first product in Maharashtra to get
a Geographical Indication tag It has been a leading centre for cotton mills and power looms in
Maharashtra. Solapur had the world's second-largest and Asia's largest spinning mill. Solapur is
the home of Handloom and Powerloom weaving industry which provides employment to a large
number of workers. There are around 6000 powerloom industries operational in the district. From
the total 11 Talukas there are major tourist destination in solapur district such as;
1. Solapur City - Migratory birds in great number flock here mainly during the winter
months.
2. Phandharpur Popularly known as the Dakshin Kashi of India, Phandharpur (150 km away
from Solapur city) is one of the top sightseeing places of Solapur district. It is one of the
primary pilgrimage sights in India. Here, devotees offer their prayers for Lord Vitthoba.
Huge crowd of devotees gather in this religious place during the festivals of Ashadhi
Ekadashi and Kartiki. There are the temples of Goddess Rukmini and God Vithal in
Phandarpur.
3. Akkalkot -Solapur district is home to another religious place of importance - Akkalkot.
This temple is dedicated to Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj.
4. Nannaj – The Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, which is a wildlife reserve, is also nearby.
5. Karmala - Karmala is famous for the temple of Shri. Kamaladevi. There is a significance
of no. 96 for the temple. The Kamala Bhavani Temple is built by Rao Raje Nimbalkar in
1727. The uniqueness of this temple architecture is, the temple is having well of 96 steps.
The temple is constructed with 96 pillars. The temple top consists of 96 pictures and 96
‘overyas’. Navaratra festival is celebrated with great devotion. The annual festival (yatra)
is held during Kartik porrnima to Chaturthi.

Vol. 72, Issue. 01, No. 3 July-September : 2023 Page | 2

As well near Solapur District Talukas and district highlighted the tourist destination and holy place
Such as;
Border of Maharashtra of Solapur
1. Tuljapur -It is also one of the popular three and-half 'Shakti peethas' of Goddess
Durga. Tuljapur, Osmanabad District, Maharashtra, India. Tuljapur, the one amongst three
and a half Shakti Peethas (abodes of cosmic powers) of the state, is situated in Maharashtra,
wherein resides the Mother Goddess Tulja Bhavani.(45km from Solapur City)
2. Gangapur
3. Naldurga
Border of Karnataka State of Solapur District
1. Kudal Sangam
2. Vijapur
Research Methodology
Basically, this paper is a conceptual paper that elaborates on preserving this age-old agricultural
tradition. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of this business activity, which is encouraging
SHGs mebers (women) under the initiatives of ecotourism, agro tourism organic food production
etc, . The present paper was based on secondary data sources, and, to some extent, primary data
collected while visiting these agro tourism-based farms. Most of the findings and issues mentioned
in this paper are drawn with the help of secondary data from many research papers, as well as
interviews of agro tourism, Organic farmers and SHG women operators in the Solapur district,
which belongs to the Western Maharashtra region, and observations made by researcher.
Object of the study
1. The study aims to explore the linkages between Self-help Groups (SHGs) and destination
sustainability.
2. To identify the challenges and opportunity for SHG’s towards Business entrepreneurship
3. To study the Tourist problems and challenges at Solapur District.
4. This study identifying potential Business opportunities for Self Help Groups for uplifting
Tourism in Solapur district

Challenges and opportunity for SHG’s towards Business entrepreneurship

Challenges for SHG’s towards Business entrepreneurship

Vol. 72, Issue. 01, No. 3 July-September : 2023 Page | 3

 Lack of Awarness

communication
and Financial Support
Transportation

Poor Marketing
Natural
stageries towords
Resources
business

Infrastrucute
utilisaiton

Opportunity for SHG’s towards Business entrepreneurship in Solapur District

• Group Loan through SHG's

Financial Support
Potential Market
Resources Availability
• Goverment Scmes for Women
• Subsidies for Start-ups
• Religious and historic tourist
attractions
• Situated in Adhara Pradesh and
Karnataka state border
• Garment Hub
• Transportantion Connectivity
• Climatic Condtition
• Geographic Condition

Prospective Business Models for SHG’s in Solapur District.

Tourism offers great opportunities for emerging economies and developing countries. It creates
jobs, strengthens the local economy, contributes to local infrastructure development and can help
to conserve the natural environment and cultural assets and traditions, and to reduce poverty and
inequality.
The important highlights of the Solapur SHG’s for developing Business Enterprises have :
 Religious and Holy place were Minimum 4000 devotee visited the places every month of
Full Moon, and New Moon and Festive Holiday time at Akkalkot, Gangapur, pandharput
and Tuljapur Temple.
 The Devotee and visitors of Solapur District were not have such Entertainment
amenities(Water park, Museum, Amusement park, Mall, Villa’s etc) and attraction to spend
quality time while weekend, Festive month, holiday season for Kids, youngsters and
Working people apart from darshana from Temples.
 The metropolitan cities devotees staying minimum 2 days while visiting temples in
religious area such as Akkalkot, Tuljapur , Gangapur and Pandharpur but there were no

Vol. 72, Issue. 01, No. 3 July-September : 2023 Page | 4

 such good amenities restaurants, hotels and no such standard or luxurious accommodation
facility were they can spend quality time with their family members, children’s or senior
citizens.(Devotees’s relay on Bhaktaniwas)
 There is no such standard transportation facility (Cab, local Taxi) to explore the places in
short span of time. The Maximum devotees are depending on local Buses or private cars
to reach the destination.
1. Agro tourism: Agro tourism also has the potential to help revitalize rural economies,
educate the public about agriculture, and preserve agricultural heritage. In addition,
community-focused farms may find agritourism an attractive option because it provides
more labor opportunities for local residents through SHG’s. by Agro Tourism the SHG’s
can grab the market of Solapur Authentic Cousin specially winter season by HURDA
Party , Agri Mela, Solapur Garments and Textile were metro cities people can easily
learn and experience beautiful farm life in location of Akkalkot, Pandharpur,Sangola
while visiting various Famous Temple on special occasion and festive month.
Benefits /Outcome-
 Easy to attract Metropolitan Cities tourist/Devotees
 Strengthening connections to local community well-being
 Gaining more free time by developing a line of business that can easily be
delegated.
 environmental education and awareness;
 preservation of the local socio-cultural sphere;
 economic efficiency and sustainable rural development
2. Village tourism :Eco-home stay
The idea of the home stay program is to accommodate tourists with a local family,
thus enabling the tourist to learn about local lifestyle, culture, nature etc. The guests
have the opportunities to interact, gain knowledge, and experience the life style and
culture of the host family as well as the local community.
As mentioned in previous point that in Solapur District religious places there is no
such well standard accommodation facility to stay minimum 2-3 days by devotees.
Hardly having 4 Hotels in Akkalkot, 6 Hotels in Pandharpur and 3 Hotel at Sangola
and Tuljapur so the devotee are more relay on Bhaktniwas. Rather than staying at
Hotels or Bhaktniwas when SHG’s develop the Eco-home stay will reach the quality
and environmental benefits stay which is actually tourist and devotee are looking
forward.
The following benefits will reach by SHG’s through village Eco-Home stay and
Village tourism ;
 Generate income from already constructed Home at farm.
 Get the employment opportunities from Accommodation, Food and Travel

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  Easily create the platform for the Home made Solapur food/cousin , Fresh Farm
Fruits, Vegetables , (Famous sugarcane , pomegranate, Graphs) market will be
available.
 Effective utilization of the constructed Houses at farm as Villa, cottage or as a
luxurious farm resort.
3. Organic and home food Production: Making organic and Home made Product are
nowadays become popular among metro cities and have good demand in the market, such
as organic vegetables, fruits, fruit pulp , as well Authentic food items such as ; Papad,
Kurudai, Shewaya(Various flavored ) Pickles, Spices powder(Red chili powder, Garam
Masala, Black chilly powder-which called famous Kala Masala), Organic jiggery etc which
is quite well produced in Solapur district across all taluka’s which will leads to SHG’s can
make and produce and will easily sold at religious places specially at Akkalkot, Pandharpur
and Tuljapur Taluka’s ,were they can sell direct customer without any distribution channel
to get good amount of price.

4. Hurda Event : The Main Agricultural produce in Solapur District is after Sugercane is
jowar (sorghum) millet. Hurda means tender or young jowar grain -- the main staple grain
of people from western region of Maharashtra in India. . which becoming quite popular not
only metro cities people but also becoming trendy event among solapur local people too.
Were people enjoy the fresh, healthy and seasonal cereal grain as snack platter specially at
farm.
Jowar grain is luscious and extremely tender in the winter. The hurda party season
lasts from December through February each year. The time is ideal to savour delicate,
roasted jowar. The farmers harvest the jowar at this time of year, roast it, and serve it
right away. This young jowar is roasted and is delicious when eaten with peanuts,
coconut, jaggery, etc. A farm party is typically referred to as a hurda party and is
planned specifically for the purpose of eating hurda, other traditional foods, and side
dishes. Eating it in the winter is a really healthy choice. It pairs well with buttermilk,
which promotes a healthy digestive system.
In this one day party family or friend circles spend quality time at village from
morning to evening were serve from breakfast, lunch, snacks/high tea with various
activities such as bullock cart, rain dance, small lake boating, adventures(zipping,
hiking, riding) entertainment activities like live music ,singing ,rain dancing, standup
comedy show etc.
So this Hurda party will be great platform to explore various business and wide options
in generating employment opportunities in one event such as the Catering, Game
Zone, Marketing of various Garments stall, Homemade food stall , seasonable food –
Fruits and vegetable items and Hospitality, safety-security, Transportation, Travelers
and platform to various artist with peace of mind, refreshing day by fresh healthy ,
seasonal and authentic food taste. This will be the attraction for the tourist and

Vol. 72, Issue. 01, No. 3 July-September : 2023 Page | 6

 devotees to stay in Solapur District and SHG’s can run the business with making
promotion of Agro Products.
5. Organic food Stores and Exhibitions At Religious places :
This Business Model will reach the potential Target customer through Tourist place.
Most of the SHG’s are facing challenges to promote the Product and not having such
platform to reach the target customer by Advertisement or promotion due to lack of
ICT use , Potential market platform , Delay and long supply chain from Manufacturer
to Buyer to get desire price and Margin from the product. Solapur is well known for
homemade food such as Kadak Bhakari of Jawar and Bajara(Bread), Shenga
Chatani(Dry Spicy Peanuts Powder), Kakavi(Syrup from Sugarcane juice), Shenga
poli(Penut Bread) Khawa poli(Dry coating Preserve milk bread)

6. Stall and Exhibition of Solapur products:

In solapur Distruct there are various famous Tample and Tourist place were the Local
Government Bodies and Trusty of Temples should take the initiative to explore the
hidden gem of city interms of Food stall , Textile through executing stall/Mall to
support the business of SHG Members and create the brand of the Solapur Product
across the world like Keral and Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal State has been taking
new shap of Branding of the Local Product.

Conclusion: The employability in the country will ultimate take the lead by forming the shape of
sustainable Development of the country which leads to reduce the poverty line of the country by
encouraging entrepreneurs and providing adequate capital. Microfinance has emerge encouraging
women to launch enterprises, were the SHG improve the status of women as participants, leaders,
and recipients in the majority rule, economic, and social realms of life. Tourism Development is
one of the crucial line of the economic and financial development of the country and Microfinance
empowering women by providing platform of Entrepreneurship through Tourism which will take
new shape of the Solapur district in terms of Tourism, Entrepreneurship Development, Women
Empowerment through SHG.

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