Maharashtra is set to strengthen tourism infrastructure in the state to further boost numbers. In 2019-20, the state has received a budget of Rs 188 crore to develop the infrastructure and add new tourist amenities.
Speaking about the development, Dilip Gawade, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, said, “In terms of infrastructure development, for the year 2019-20, we have got a budget of Rs. 188 Crore under the regional tourism scheme. We are now processing and strengthening infrastructure, water supply, roads and other necessary amenities in the state.”
Maharashtra Tourism recently hosted a roadshow in Kolkata, to showcase their new flexible packages designed and tailored by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, including their resorts. The state is now looking to enhance their visibility in the domestic market by expanding their outreach by connecting with travel and trade industry across the country.
“We recently organised a roadshow in Kolkata to showcase our product offerings. As a part of our continuous endeavour to promote tourism in the state, we are inviting our brothers and sisters from the East to come and visit the state and be a part of the magnificent experience that the region will offer. Going forward, we will look to organise roadshows in New Delhi and Chennai,” Gawade added.
Maharashtra Tourism has been majorly showcasing tourism sectors like wildlife, beaches, heritage and religious tourism, along with niche sectors like wine tourism which are popular with international tourists.
On the product offerings, he further said, “In Maharashtra, we are looking to promote a variety of region and products. In Vidarbha, Tadoba and Pench, tiger tourism will be our major priority to promote aggressively. We are promoting scuba diving and beaches in the Konkan region. Sahyadri is another region which we have been promoting extensively. We are also looking to popularise our trekking trails such as Kalsubai Peak. Maharashtra has a unique diversity of landscape. We have one of the oldest Crater Lake, Lonar, which is yet to be explored by global travellers. We are now keen on attracting travellers to the Buddhist circuit.”
Also in a recent bid to develop Maharashtra as a world class destination, the newly appointed Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray recently advised the Tourism Department to draft a proposal for developing a high-end aquarium in Mumbai. The CM also stated that Mumbai is now attracting several foreign dignitaries and investors, and therefore, tourist places in Mumbai needs to be developed, for which a separate action plan needs to be put into place.
The CM also has discussed various tourism concepts, such as sea tourism, night safari in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and flamingo tourism. Since Mumbai is surrounded by sea, the minister is majorly focussing on water based tourism activities, which will be implemented in phases. Moreover, existing caves, such as the Mahakali Caves, Kanheri Caves, and Elephanta Caves etc., will also be developed.
