Juni Khyat ISSN: 2278-4632

(UGC Care Group I Listed Journal) Vol-10 Issue-5 No. 12 May 2020

Tourism Potential and Challenges in Ratnagiri District

Mr. Hanamantrao Ratnappa Yadav
Head of the Geography Department
Sant Rawool Maharaj College, Kudal. Dist- Sindhudurg. (MS)
[email protected]

Mr. Rajesh Sidhartha Kamble

Research Student
Dr. B. A. M. University, Aurangabad, Tq. Aurangabad, Dist. Aurangabad. (MS)
Email: [email protected]

Introduction
As per the District Tourism Plan 2013, detailed information about the current state of
tourism in Ratnagiri district and recommendations for improvement has been made. Ratnagiri
district has potential opportunities for natural beauty, historical sites and temples, beautiful
beaches, creeks, forts etc. to promote tourism domestically and internationally. Many of these
places are especially suitable for beach tourism. But there is an opportunity to develop
sustainable tourism that will not harm the conservation of marine habitats and natural beauty
while creating tourism for employment generation or as a source of income for the local
people.
According to a tourism survey conducted by the Market Research Department, The
Ministry of Tourism said that, Ratnagiri district is one of the poorest tourist destinations in
Maharashtra. This is because the number of domestic tourists in Ratnagiri district is large
(99.95 per cent) but the number of foreign tourists is low (0.05 per cent). Being close to Goa,
Ratnagiri district could have capitalized on its natural beauty through tourism, but for the
following reasons it is not possible.

Objective of the Study

1) To study the potential tourist destinations in Ratnagiri district
2) To analyze the major challenges in tourism development of Ratnagiri district
Research Methodology
The current study is based on secondary data. The secondary information has been
collected from Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and surveys by
other government and non-government agencies. Internet websites, journals, books and

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 Juni Khyat ISSN: 2278-4632
(UGC Care Group I Listed Journal) Vol-10 Issue-5 No. 12 May 2020
various reports etc. are also used for scrutiny. Also statistical methods and ArcMAP GIS
software are use for graphical presentation.
Study Region
Ratnagiri district is located in the konkan region of Maharashtra. Ratnagiri district lies
between 150 36’ north to 180 5’ north latitude and between 730 5’ east to 740 36’ east
longitude. It is located in konkan region. The total area of Ratnagiri district is 8208 km2. To
the west of the district is Arabian Sea to the east is Satara, Sangali and Kolhapur to the south
lies Sindhudurg and to the north lies Raigad district. In the eastern part of sahyadri mountain
ranges are present which about 180 km is and it possesses coastline of about 167 km. There
are nine tehsils places in the distractive Ratnagiri, Chiplun, Khed, Sangmeshwar, Dapoli,
Mandangad, Guhagar, Rajapur and Lanja.

Location Map of Study Region

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 Juni Khyat ISSN: 2278-4632
(UGC Care Group I Listed Journal) Vol-10 Issue-5 No. 12 May 2020

Discussion and Result

Tourist Population in Tahsils of Ratnagiri
Total Tourist
Tourist Local Tourist Outside Tourist
Tahsil per year (in
During fairs (in lakh) (in lakh)
lakh)
Mandangad 0.16 0.1 1.03 1.29
Dapoli 0.25 0.4 2.66 3.31
Khed 0.39 0.05 0.26 0.71
Chiplun 3.91 0.71 2.65 7.27
Guhagar 0.20 0.59 2.55 3.35
Sangameshawar 3.15 0.48 8.89 12.33
Lanja 0 0.1 0.08 0.17
Ratnagiri 9.23 2.57 13.26 25.05
Rajapur 1.5 0.23 0.77 2.5
Total (in lakh) 18.8 5.23 32.14 56.12
Source: District Tourism Plan for Ratnagiri District

Tourist Population in Tahsils of Ratnagiri

14

12
Populatio in lakh

10

Tahsil
Tourist During fairs Local Tourist (in lakh) Outside Tourist (in lakh)

Tahsil Wise Total Spend on Tourism Development in Ratnagiri District

Total Spend on Tourism
Tahsil Number of Tourist Centres
Development (in lakh)
Mandangad 04 0
Dapoli 17 0
Khed 11 0
Chiplun 14 0
Guhagar 09 0
Sangameshawar 07 20.01
Lanja 04 0
Ratnagiri 16 19.99

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 Juni Khyat ISSN: 2278-4632
(UGC Care Group I Listed Journal) Vol-10 Issue-5 No. 12 May 2020
Rajapur 08 0
Total (in lakh) 90 40.00
Source: Socio-Economic Review of Ratnagiri district (2017-18)
Lanja tahsil has the lowest number of tourist visits while Sangameshwar and Ratnagiri
tahsils have the highest number of tourist visits. From the above figures, it is seen that only in
Ratnagiri and Sangameshwar tahsils only expenditure has been made for the development of
tourist places. The rest of the tahsils have almost zero expenditure.
Determinant of Prosperity of Tourist Places
Tourism is booming in Ratnagiri district. But not all places in Ratnagiri district can be
developed as tourist destinations. To develop any place as a tourist destination; There should
be many components available according to the needs of the tourists. According to the
present study, various places in the district are being examined as potential tourist
destinations.
1. Accessibility of the place.
2. Historical significance / value of place.
3. The religious significance of the place.
4. Enrichment of the natural resources of the place.
5. Availability of various tourism sources.
6. Availability of basic facilities.
Potential Tourist Destination in Ratnagiri District
The potential tourist destinations in Ratnagiri district are classified into three sections
namely Religious, Historical and Natural Tourist. Natural tourist destinations are subdivided
into four categories: waterfalls, beaches and hot springs and hill stations. These places have
been categorized according to the priority capacity of some of the potential tourist
destinations in the district.
Types of Tourism
Sr. No. Name of the Potential Tourist Places
Potential
Anjarle, Dabhol, Asud, Adivare, Velneshwar, Kasheli,
1 Religious Hatis, Chinchkhari, Tikleshwar, Kasba, Ambav,
Burband, Gondhale, Turambav, Bharane
Harnei, Panhalekazi, Govalkot-Govindgad, Sumargad,
Gopalgad, Palshet, Bankot Jaigad, Ambolgad,
2 Historical
Purnagad, Malgund, Kasba, Mahipatgad, , Rasalgad, ,
Mahipatgad, Ambdav
3 Naturals
1) Hill Stations Machal, Ambet
2) Beaches Ganeshgule, Ladghar, Kolthare, Rohile , Tawsal,

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 Juni Khyat ISSN: 2278-4632
(UGC Care Group I Listed Journal) Vol-10 Issue-5 No. 12 May 2020
Madban, Ade, Karde, Undi, Malgund,
Ambolgad, , Ambolgad, Bhandarpule, Ambet,
Warwade, Karambavane
3) Waterfalls Nivali, Adare, Chuna-kolvan, Sawat Sada, Tivare
4) Hot Springs Unhavare, Rajewadi, Aravali,

Major Challenges of Tourism in Ratnagiri District

Being close to Goa, Ratnagiri could have capitalized on its natural capital but the potential
remains locked due to the following factors:
1) Lack of proper marketing: with little promotion of tourist circuits, cultivation of good
tourism sector operators within and outside the district to attract foreign and domestic
tourists, the value from tourism has not been materialized for the districts beyond ad hoc
tourist arrivals that remain unplanned and unregulated.
2) Poor Transportation linkages: current tourism is based on tourists having their own
vehicles as public transportation is not oriented toward promoting tourism. Rail linkages are
not adequate to serve tourism needs, and the nearest airports are at some distance.
3) Lack of Infrastructure, particularly in tourist areas: the absence of adequate services
like a good range of hotels and eating houses, besides related water and sanitation, public
transport and reliable electricity services have constrained the tourism industry. Tourists are
also deprived of good banking services, poor signage’s and tourist information, and a lack of
tourist operators.
4) Existing tourism products are underutilized: even though there are good locations
naturally, and some that have been developed to some extent, their potential has not been
systematically harnessed. On the other hand, there may be a rush of tourists to some
locations, but the parking and local traffic and hygiene management is wanting.
5) Limited Integration of Local Communities: leading to opportunities lost for realizing
the benefits of tourism for local people. The exposure and training to local people on how to
promote and manage tourism has been limited and larger operators seek to maximize the
potential in areas like Goa and Karnataka. Local biodiversity conservation committees can be
constituted and operationalzed to regulate specific locations and promote local stakes in
tourism.
6) Tourism has been inadequately resourced and funded: despite declaring this as a
Tourism district, govt. funding made available to provide infrastructure and promote tourism
has been vastly unequal to that required to harness the district’s potential. Even when plans
were drawn up, these were not funded well or prioritized for implementation.

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 Juni Khyat ISSN: 2278-4632
(UGC Care Group I Listed Journal) Vol-10 Issue-5 No. 12 May 2020

Conclusions
1) Despite the scenic beaches and rich culture and culinary culture, the tourism sector in
Ratnagiri is unorganized and the arrangement is temporary. This has hampered the district
from gaining tourism potential due to lack of infrastructure, investment, development and
marketing and lack of empowerment of local agents to play a more central role in the tourism
sector. This is also due to the relative comfort and low poverty level in the district.
2) The western part of Ratnagiri district is more suitable for tourism development as
compared to the eastern part.
3) There are about 57 potential tourist destinations in Ratnagiri district at present. But due to
various obstacles, tourists do not visit these places.
4) The development of these tourist destinations will provide employment to the local people.
This will reduce the migration to other cities (Mumbai & Pune). This is because Ratnagiri
district has the highest rate of migration to metropolitan cities in the last ten years.
5) Domestic tourists can play an important role in the growth of tourism in Ratnagiri district.
Reccomendations
The following steps can be considered to boost tourism development in Ratnagiri district.
1) Tourism in Ratnagiri district can be multi-faceted - regional culture, natural beauty,
religious and historical resources as well as new health facilities, Saturday and Sunday
tourism and nature tourism can provide new sources of employment to the local people and
provide a source of entertainment to tourists.
2) Development of infrastructure in Ratnagiri district is a basic requirement for the
development of tourism industry. E.g. Improvement of travel routes - Roads / Railways /
Airways are the basic requirements for the development of the tourism industry. It is also
important to have better availability of banking, ATM and forex facilities.
3) In order to attract foreign tourists in Ratnagiri district, it is necessary to prepare
information about tourist places and experiences on the international tourist map.
4) It is necessary to improve the quality of tourist infrastructure and services. e.g. Number
and variety of living facilities, dining houses, roadside facilities and overall variety
5) Communication facilities need to be improved with easy access. E.g. Telephone / Fox /
Internet etc. And there is a need for availability of communication guides with English and
foreign languages as well as good provision of signs and information leaflets.
7) Security and safety system needs to be improved. Good parking facilities, side cleanliness
and management of pilgrimage sites etc.

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8) Development of environmentally sensitive tourism is necessary which will create
employment opportunities for the local people and will not create human-animal conflict.
9) Passenger cruise ship service can be important for tourist attraction. This service has
already started from Mumbai to Goa. There is also an opportunity to develop such services in
Ratnagiri.
10) Some stakeholders suggest that the State Department is not capable of promoting and
regulating tourism services at the local level. Therefore, planning and service regulation at
the local level can be better if management is entrusted to local and private sector agencies to
attract the private sector.
11) Co-benefits can be obtained by converting tourism with mangoes, cashews and related
economic activities. There is potential for training and food-processing to develop Konkani
products and markets.
References
1) Malhotra, K.C.: “Tourism Today”, Kanishka Publishing house, Delhi
2) National Council of Applied Economic Research January, 2019
3) Planning Commission Report on Tourism Development in Maharashtra (Govt. of India)
4) Socio-Economic Review of Ratnagiri district (2017-18)
5) District Tourism Plan for Ratnagiri District (August 2013)
6) http://ratnagiri.nic.in
7) www.maharashtratourism.gov.in

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