Rural tourism and hospitality have emerged as vital instruments for sustainable rural development, employment generation, and cultural preservation. Karnataka has actively promoted rural tourism through policy interventions, yet its development varies significantly across districts. This article presents a comparative study of rural tourism and hospitality models in Kalaburagi district and neighboring districts such as Ballari (Hampi region), Bidar, and Raichur. The study analyses tourism resources, hospitality infrastructure, community participation, government support, and challenges. The findings reveal that while Kalaburagi possesses rich rural and cultural resources, it lags behind neighboring districts in terms of organized hospitality models and tourism integration, whereas Hampi represents a mature and globally visible model integrating heritage tourism with community-based rural hospitality. The article concludes with recommendations to strengthen rural tourism and hospitality development in Kalaburagi by adopting best practices from surrounding regions.
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