A Geographical Analysis of Major Tourist Centres and Identification of Pilgrimage Tourist Circuits in North Ahmednagar District.

According to the report of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) June 1991, Tourism is the world's largest industry and major contributor to global development. India is on 54^th rank in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (India Tourism Statistic 2022). Travel is the activity associated with arrival and departure at the time of Pleasure, Prosperity, Holidays and Leisure.  (R.B.Chavda 2019).  According to the definition given by the United Nations Organization (1937) “Tourism covers the social activities of people who go away from their permanent residence for 24 hours and more”. Now in the present era lifestyle is changing rapidly, therefore the development of the tourism sector is very fast. Due to a fast lifestyle, people have little time for leisure and relaxation.  Generally, people travel for several purposes or objectives. There are many types of tourism according to tourist purposes. i.e. Entertaining tourism, Environmental tourism, Health tourism, Adventure tourism, Religious tourism, Rural tourism, Historical tourism, Educational Tourism etc. ( R.B.Chavda 2019).   Tourism is now the largest industry in the world by virtually any economic measure including gross output, employment, capital investment and tax contribution. Tourism can create a significant importance in the income and living standards of the people of the region or locality. (Sujatha Annie Kurian 2012). Tourism is one of the industries with the strongest effect on the economy because it helps in the development of other sectors, it provides job opportunities in different tourism sectors like accommodation, hoteling, transportation, entertainment, and other.   Ahmednagar district has a lot of potential in the tourism sector due to great diversity.  Therefore, Ahmednagar has vast and huge potential of different historical, natural, religious and socio-cultural backgrounds. (Mr.Nikam S.M. 2016). The essential parameters for the success of the tourism industry is the development of the tourist circuits and destinations to attract domestic and international tourists. (Ar.Chetan Sachdeva 2020).  This paper aims to study and highlight tourist centres in Ahmednagar district, classification of tourist centres and identification of possible pilgrimage tourist circuits in north Ahmednagar district.