Abstract Rural development remains a pressing challenge in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, India, a region marked by recurring drought, poverty and under-infrastructure. Tourism especially rural, heritage, agro- and community-based tourism offers a promising pathway to diversify rural livelihoods, stimulate infrastructure investment, and preserve cultural and natural assets. This paper examines the tourism-rural development nexus in Marathwada: its potential, current status, key mechanisms, constraints and prospects. Drawing on secondary literature, regional context, and analogous studies, the paper identifies how tourism could be harnessed for inclusive rural development in Marathwada, what obstacles must be addressed, and what operational recommendations may increase the likelihood of positive outcomes.
Sanjayadevi G. Pawar (Sat,) studied this question.