Sustainable Tourism: A Community-Inclusive Approach in the Case of Manori, Mumbai

Tourism in India plays a crucial role in generating income and employment opportunities. While it contributes positively to economic growth in certain sectors, it also poses challenges to the environmental, economic and social fabric of host communities. Consequently, the concept of sustainable tourism development has gained prominence. While environmental aspects of sustainable tourism have received considerable attention from researchers, there remains a need for more studies on the socio-economic impacts and aspects of sustainable tourism. This paper aims to investigate the synergies between the needs of the urban community and the aspirations of the local community in the seaside hamlet of Manori, Mumbai. By examining the socio-economic and cultural characteristics of both the urban and indigenous communities, the study aims to identify their specific needs and preferences for the region which is earmarked as a Recreation and Tourism Development Zone (RTDZ). Furthermore, by analysing the current state of infrastructure, social dynamics, and socio-cultural aspects within the selected region, the study intends to address deficiencies in recreational infrastructure and incorporate the preferences and priorities of the local community. Moreover, the study postulates that implementing community participatory approaches is essential to ensure the sustainability of recreation and tourism planning projects.