The Indian state of Maharashtra’s Directorate of Tourism and Medical Value Travel Council of India (MVTCI) have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE, Bangladesh and Oman in the Gulf to bring the West Indian state’s wellness and healthcare tourism offerings to citizens and residents in these countries. The event took place at the World Expo 2020 Dubai, on 20th November.
Maharashtra is showcasing its culture and tourism potential in addition to trade and commerce, as part of the presence in the India pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. The state tourism department aims to explore long-term collaborations with organisations in the UAE and the region in the areas of business, investment, trade, and medical & wellness tourism.
The state, home to the best clinical outcomes in India, is positioned itself as the national leader in healthcare services guiding hopeful patients towards a better clinical experience.
Speaking at a media round table in Dubai, Aditi Tatkare, Minister of State Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said, “The Government of Maharashtra provides world-class health amenities with 50 per cent lesser cost. We strive to provide quality, comfort and affordability in medical care.”
The Maharashtra Government’s Tourism Directorate and MVTCI have created a roadmap towards encouraging patients from foreign countries to seek out services in the State since the international travel market resumed recently.
Milind N Borikar, Director of Directorate of Tourism, said, “Maharashtra is the one-stop destination for end-to-end healthcare services and specialised healthcare providers, diligently creating a healthy ecosystem.”
The state of Maharashtra has been recently recognized at World Trade Mart – London for eco-village and tiger conservation projects, in addition to winning global responsible tourism awards, and the prestigious International Agro Tourism Award for having over 1000 Agri-Tourism centres.
Maharashtra attracts a very high share of domestic and foreign tourists visiting India owing to some of the most famous heritage destinations such as Ajanta and Ellora (Aurangabad) as well as the 720-kilometre coastline.
Maharashtra, where cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur are located, is well connected by roadways, railways, waterways and airways with a road length of over 300,000 kilometres; and with a railroad density of 6,209.98 kilometres; 720 kilometres of coastline and 14 airports including three international airports. Maharashtra has the largest network of highways in India with 18 national highways of 17,757 kilometres in length. Maharashtra also has the maximum number of domestic and international airports.
Furthermore, Maharashtra has an attractive wildlife tourism potential with around 63 forest reserves, national parks and sanctuaries. The state also has the maximum number of UNESCO World heritage sites when compared to other Indian states.
Maharashtra is the most economically developed state of India with an economy of more than USD 400 billion. Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is the capital of the state. Maharashtra alone contributes more than 15 per cent to the GDP of India, more than 20 per cent to India’s export and has attracted almost 30 per cent of the nation’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) over the last two decades.
Under the Regional Tourism Development Scheme (RTDS), more than 250 destinations are being developed under which Maharashtra Tourism has already spent approximately 3,000 crores in the past five years, for various projects.
The state’s responsible tourism policy ensures optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity. It also respects the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserving their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contributing to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.
