Rural tourism has proved to be an effective mechanism for rural
communities to promote sustainable community development by generating economic
opportunities and safeguarding the socio cultural heritage of the rural communities. The
aim of this research is to explore the role of rural tourism in socio cultural transformation
and economic empowerment focusing on its impact on community dev elopment, the
preservation of culture and sustainable livelihoods. This study employed descriptive and
analytical research design with primary data collection that has been collected via
structured questionnaires which were given directly to the respondent s directly and
indirectly involved in tourism activities in selected rural tourism destinations. Descriptive
statistical techniques such as percentages were used to analyse the collected data in order
to determine the perception of socio cultural and socio economic impacts of rural tourism
from the respondents. The results show that the rural tourism is an important factor in job
creation, income improvement, entrepreneurship development, infrastructure development
and community involvement. It has also doc umented positive consequences of the study,
including cultural exchange and the maintenance of traditional arts and culture, as well as
negative, including cultural commodification, demonstration effects, commercialization of
traditional culture and loss o f indigenous cultural values. Based on the analysis of the
above, the study found that active participation of the community and support by
government policies is needed for sustainable rural tourism, which involves a balance
between economic development a nd cultural heritage protection. The results offer
important information for policy makers, tourism planners and local actors for the design
of inclusive and sustainable rural tourism development strategies.