Journal of African Development

Tourism has emerged as a multidimensional driver of regional development, particularly in culturally rich and demographically significant states like Uttar Pradesh. This paper presents an integrated analysis of religious tourism, sports tourism, and fiscal sustainability to evaluate their combined role in shaping sustainable economic growth in Uttar Pradesh. Drawing insights from visitor satisfaction studies in Ayodhya, emerging sports tourism trends, and fiscal policy frameworks under the FRBM regime, the study highlights how infrastructure quality, governance, and public investment strategies jointly influence tourism-led development. The findings suggest that while religious and sports tourism offer strong potential for employment generation, cultural preservation, and global visibility, their long-term success depends on balanced fiscal policies that prioritize growth-oriented capital expenditure over excessive fiscal restraint. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at aligning tourism development with sustainable fiscal management to transform Uttar Pradesh into a resilient, diversified tourism-driven economy