Conventional tourism planning in ecologically fragile regions often adopts a reductionist perspective, failing to address the synergistic spatial interactions between ecological conservation, resource utilization, and infrastructure. To bridge this gap, this study develops a multi-constraint synergistic assessment framework for the dry-hot valley of Lujiang Dam (LJD) in China. Grounded in the understanding of rural tourism as a complex adaptive system, the framework innovatively integrates the InVEST model, kernel density estimation, and cumulative cost-distance algorithms to identify Natural Spatial Suitability for Tourism Development (NSSTD). Key findings include (1) pronounced spatial heterogeneity in habitat quality, with high-quality zones in the west/southeast requiring strict conservation; (2) a “barbell-shaped” clustering of natural/cultural resources at the valley’s northern and southern extremities, highly congruent with ethnic settlements; and (3) a “concentric layered” accessibility pattern where 88.08% of resources are within a 90 min drive. Crucially, the spatial overlay analysis revealed that NSSTD (54.74 km²) emerges not from single high-value zones but from areas of synergy, such as those with medium habitat quality coupled with high resource endowment and accessibility. These results provide a scientifically robust, spatially explicit layer for China’s “Multi-plan Integration” territorial spatial planning. They enable differentiated strategies—channeling development to southern corridors, implementing niche tourism in northern “structural hole” villages, and enforcing conservation in western habitats—thereby offering a replicable methodology to balance ecological integrity with sustainable rural development.

To address social challenges arising from extensive exploitation of rural tourism resources—including degradation of natural ecosystems and erosion of ethnic cultural heritage—this study establishes a synergistic assessment framework constrained by habitat quality, resource endowment, and facility accessibility. By integrating the InVEST model, kernel density function, and cumulative cost distance algorithm, we developed a spatial overlay analysis tool to evaluate these three dimensions in the dry-hot valley of Lujiang Dam (LJD) within China's Nujiang River Basin. This approach identified natural spatial suitability for tourism development (NSSTD). Key findings reveal that LJD exhibits high overall habitat quality (844.88 km², 64.55% of total area), yet demonstrates pronounced spatial heterogeneity—prime habitats concentrate in western and southeastern sectors, contrasting with a central low-quality habitat belt. Natural/cultural resources display a barbell-shaped spatial configuration, clustering at southern and northern extremities. Tourism accessibility manifests concentric spatial patterns, with 88.08% of resources accessible within 90-minute travel thresholds. NSSTD zones (54.74 km²) predominantly located in southern LJD encompass 17 land-use types and 70.73% of villages. These results provide critical spatial decision-making support for: Sustainable tourism resource management in dry-hot valleys, precise village planning, territorial spatial optimization strategies. The methodology demonstrates operational value in balancing ecological conservation and rural development priorities.