With the rising tide of Chinese tourists visiting India, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) participated in Tourism Roadshow in China organised by Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India in association with Indian Embassy, Beijing and Consulate General of India in Guangzhou and Shanghai which was conducted in major cities including Guangzhou, Wahun and Shanghai from August 28, 2018 to September 2, 2018 in the presence of KJ Alphons, Tourism Minister, Government of India, Jaykumar Rawal, Tourism Minister, Government of Maharashtra, Gautam Bambawale, Indian Ambassador to People’s Republic of China, Vice Governor Hube region Wuhan, Chang Hyei and other officials were present.
Tourism Roadshow in China consisted of buyer-seller meet, Incredible India seminar, a presentation on tourism promotion strategy by Chinese companies which focussed on why Chinese travellers should travel to India and the state of Maharashtra. The main aim of Tourism Roadshow in China is to draw Chinese travellers by highlighting the Buddhist circuits across the state and the country. Circuits in Aurangabad, Pune, Nashik, Mumbai, Satara & Kolhapur, Raigad and Nagpur were promoted to encourage Buddhist Tourism. In fact, MTDC preserves and encourages the rich heritage and Buddhist culture of the state of Maharashtra and influences them in the expansion of a world-class, sustainable site of distinction which enhances the lives of travellers and inhabitants alike.
China is one of the major outbound tourist markets in the world, which generates 144 million outbound travellers. The association aims to tap the Chinese market and increasing Chinese tourist arrivals to India along with maximum footfall in Maharashtra. The objective of this roadshow was to create awareness of the state and several destinations among Chinese travellers.
Commenting on the occasion, Rawal said, “It’s a pleasure to perceive that the roadshow has received an overwhelming response from all the stakeholders across China. Maharashtra is already becoming a preferred destination among international travellers. The roadshow was a new experience for the members of both the nations, as it gave a prospect of exchanging new ideas and facts about our countries which will assist us to attract Chinese travellers. Maharashtra has successfully entered the Chinese Tourism market in the first of its kind road show and time has come to work to unlock the huge potential of Tourism and Maharashtra has all that a Chinese traveller would need right from heritage to contemporary state of the art accommodation units.”
Vijay Kumar Gautam, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra added, “We have received an overwhelming response from China during this Tourism Roadshow. MTDC has showcased various Buddhist circuits of the state and encouraged the Chinese travellers to explore Buddhist Tourism in the state of Maharashtra. This Roadshow has assisted us in strengthening our ties with China. It is just a beginning and I think a lot of things are yet to be explored, we look forward to inviting more Chinese travellers to our country in the years to come.”
