Abstract

This bibliometric literature review examines the contribution of eco-tourism to sustainable and inclusive development, placing the discussion within the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The review highlights how eco-tourism supports entrepreneurship, strengthens environmental stewardship, and enhances the socio-economic well-being of rural communities. It also synthesizes key trends in author contributions, journal productivity, and country-level research patterns. Analysis of 149 publications from 2000 to 2025 indicates an annual growth rate of 3.61 percent, reflecting steady scholarly engagement with the subject. The findings show that eco-tourism research is closely linked to themes of sustainable development, livelihood diversification, and community participation, with substantial international collaboration. Journals such as Sustainability, Resources Policy, Investment Management and Financial Innovations, Cogent Business and Management, and Economic Theory and Practice emerge as prominent sources. Overall, the review underscores the rising importance of eco-tourism in national development strategies, with India and China standing out as leading contributors to the global discourse.