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The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in association with Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has introduced mine tourism in Nagpur to showcase the abundant coal mining resources in Maharashtra and outline the intricacies of coal mining. It has started selling packages that are valid from March 31, 2017 to April 30, 2017. Tourists will get to descend 500 metres below the surface into the WCL coalmine in Saoner near Nagpur to experience the hardship of miners and learn about the machines involved. Additionally, they will also get an opportunity to tour an eco-park and visit the open cast mine in Gondegaon. The one-day itinerary costs Rs. 650 and includes transport, lunch and security equipment.

Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), an ISKCON project and a wellness destination which is a premium MahaBhraman status certified by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), announced the launch of Govardhan School of Yoga. It recently received the prestigious UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) Award for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism. Dr. K.H. Govinda Raj, IAS, Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, stated, “We are delighted to be associated with Govardhan Eco Village as they are significantly contributing through innovative initiatives which are competitive and at the same time sustainable in character. Govardhan Eco Village is the only destination in Asia to be awarded by UNWTO this year. As more people embrace overall healthier lifestyles at home, we are now seeing those behaviours translate and be integrated into their travel and vacation habits. This initiative will attract tourists from all across the world.” Govardhan Eco Village highlights the importance of spiritual ecology. The 28-day residential program will enables guests to not only learn and teach yoga, but also to learn healthy eating, taking care of your body but also meditation practices. Gauranga Das, Director, Govardhan Eco Village said,” It’s our honour and privilege to receive this award on behalf of land of India and we would like to express our gratitude to UNWTO for giving this opportunity to share this message of sustainability on a larger scale especially in this year which is celebrated as the year of sustainable tourism.”

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has opened Maharashtra Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology in Solapur district, approved by Ministry of India Tourism in collaboration with Central Government and State Government. It was inaugurated on 5 January. Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, Jaykumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, stated, “The hospitality and tourism industry in Maharashtra is expected to grow at a rapid pace between now and 2025. This institute will be a prime institute in the field of hospitality education in Solapur. The decision to foray into hospitality education comes with the intention of bridging the demand supply gap created within the food service sector,  particularly the restaurant and fast food business outlets, which lack skilled manpower. MTDC intends to provide food services in clean and hygienic environments, mainly in the interiors of Maharashtra. The institute will try to address these critical issues by training students. The institute will also have tourism MTDC branch for tourists. The tourism department is also working on constructing a textile museum which will offer the new generation a glimpse of the bygone era. We also plan to build a resort for tourist in Pandharpur, Solapur district which will be operational soon.   Solapur district will soon be announced as the spiritual destination place and will have a tourist circuit available for all. MTDC will soon implement on building an information center near Siddheswar temple which will provide appropriate information to the tourists.

Maharashtra Tourism’s new initiative — Maharashtra Unlimited — is an umbrella programme to boost tourism infrastructure in the state. Jayakumar Rawal, Tourism Minister, Government of Maharashtra, informed that as part of the initiative, Mumbai-Lonavla-Pune circuit and Mumbai-Igatpuri-Nashik circuit will be developed as tourist stretches where tourism events will be promoted and roads and five-star hotels will be developed in order to promote the same. A heritage policy on 450 forts in the state is also in the pipeline. “The upkeep and development of the forts has been the focus of the tourism department since long. Sambhaji Raje, descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and social reformer Rajarshi Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj of Kolhapur have been chosen as the brand ambassador for the same. Plans are afoot to develop the government area around forts by introducing tourist amenities like tents and hotels,” said Rawal. The state also plans to develop Konkan coast on the lines of amenities and tourist facilities seen in other coastal regions like Goa and Kerala. “Wellness centres in Lonavla and Igatpuri are in order, apart from starting a boating competition in Mumbai on the lines of ‘Boat Grand Prix’,” he said.

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) have entered into an agreement to allow tourists to visit the depth of a WCL coal mine in Saoner, tour an eco-park and visit the open cast mine in Gondegaon. To raise awareness about the importance of coal mining, the tourists will be taken inside Saoner Underground Mine No. 1 up to 1.5km from its entrance which is located about 37km from the city. A man riding system will take the tourists inside and WCL and a guide will facilitate this trip, taking them about 100m down from the ground surface. According to the five-year MoU signed between MTDC and WCL, the tourism facilities for visitors, bookings and marketing of the concept will be done by MTDC. Source: Economics Times

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) recently organised its first ‘Sarangkheda Festival’ from December 13-27 in order to boost tourism in Nandurbar. The festival witnessed the arrival of more than 2,000 horses at its market place which is also one of the largest horse fairs in the country. The festival also showcased horse dance show and powra, a tribal dance by the locals of Nandurbaug district. MTDC also organised a host of initiatives such as the Tourism Conclave, Uttar Maharashtra Ratna Gaurav Puraskar and Horse Painting exhibition. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mentioned that the government is committed to take the Sarangkheda horse fair to a global platform and that the fair should become a brand on the lines of Pushkar’s camel fair. The Chief Minister and the Tourism Minister also spoke about positioning Nandurbaug as a tourist hub through Sarangkheda Festival. Jaykumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said, “To give the state a further impetus in terms of tourism, Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra and MTDC organises various festival like Ajanta Ellora Festival, Nagpur Festival, Koradi Festival, Kalidas Festival and now the Sarangkheda Chetak festival and many more. To highlight the array of destinations and varied facets of Maharashtra, we plan to work towards development of proper infrastructure for tourists and utilise the budgets for the development of these destinations. One such festival, Sarangkheda Chetak Festival, which is a 500-year-old fair but, remained ignored for so many years. But, now, we are committed to take it to a global platform through development of infrastructure, marketing and branding. We also plan to have a horse museum for tourists that will enlighten them about the various qualities of breed, …

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation in association with Vidarbha Economic Development Council will be hosting ‘Maharashtra Food Festival’. The six-day festival will be held from December 6, 2016 to December 11, 2016 at the South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur. The first three days will showcase cultural performances followed by a khadi fashion show to promote the use of khadi material. Madan Yerawar, Hon’ble State Tourism Minister, Government of Maharashtra stated, “The local cuisine of the state is the greatest indicator of the traditions of Maharashtra. Maharashtrian food has created benchmarks all over the world with certain dishes being specialties of the regions or communities. Nagpur is a major and third most populated city of the state of Maharashtra in India and is famous for its culture, cuisine and oranges. This six-day festival will not only boost tourism in the state but will also highlight various facets of the city and will also push local economy.”

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has taken a step towards boosting agriculture tourism with its Agri Tourism Conclave 2016 in the Vidharba region will take place on 20 November 2016, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development in Nagpur, during the Kalidas Festival 2016. The motive of this conclave is to increase employment and investment opportunities in agro tourism in the region. The conclave will be inaugurated by Pravin Datke, Mayor, Nagpur followed by a presentation on encouraging people to take up agri-tourism as a profession by enterprising speakers from Baramati, Washim, Pune, Nagpur and Satara. This will serve two purposes i.e. boosting the farmer’s income and also bringing rural India closer to the cities. Dr. KH Govinda Raj, Managing Director, MTDC said, “As tourism is becoming increasingly important to the economy. Agricultural tourism is one alternative for improving the incomes and potential economic viability of small farms and rural communities. The objectives for promoting rural and agri-tourism is to educate the public and promote the products of the farm and generate additional farm income; provide rural experience to urban residents and allow diversification of income opportunity to farms and ranches that can help buffer fluctuating markets.”

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) will assist the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) team for the Ajanta Ellora conservation and Tourism Development Project Phase II. JICA India office (JICA, New Delhi) had recently send a letter to Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation regarding the external evaluation of the JICA ID – P150 ( i.e. AEDP – Phase II project). The JICA team will visit the sites between November 27, 2016, and December 24, 2016. Following the visit, studies will continue for almost one year, i.e. up to October 2017. Various respected diverse agencies have also assigned to complete the allocated components which include Central Government agencies such as ASI, AAI along with MTDC and other State Government Institutions, etc. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and its branches have completed the assigned components given of the projects (for example, Ajanta Visitor Center and Ellora Visitor Center was completed by work branch of MTDC, Public Awareness by Publicity branch, HRD by Development Branch and IT related work by IT branch).  MTDC has further requested its respective officer to note the tour program and assist JICA team. Satish Soni, Joint Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation stated, “The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the Aurangabad district in the state of Maharashtra, approximately 400 km northeast of Mumbai.  The Ajanta-Ellora Conservation and Tourism Development Project was initiated in 1992 and Phase I was initiated in March 1993. Phase I was successfully completed in 2004 and phase II was completed in-between year 2004 to 2017. Now external evaluation of phase II will take place in the year 2016 – 2017. Our aim is to conserve the cultural heritage and its surrounding environment, …

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has announced the launch of its special Diwali package to Alibaug this festive season. The tour will start from Gateway of India and will proceed to Mandava by ferryboat and will further proceed to the majestic Murud Janjira fort. Tourists will get to experience destinations like the beautiful Birla Mandir which lies on the Alibaug-Roha route, near Salve Village and sightseeing at beaches like Alibaug, Nagav, and Kihim. The 1 night, 2 days package is valid for October 30, 2016. Swati Kale, General Manager, MTDC commented on this initiative and said, “Under the guidance of Jaykumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, MTDC has introduced this package to celebrate the festival of lights in a whole new illuminating way. This initiative will not only increase tourism activities in the state, but also give an opportunity to tourists from outside the state and experience the pristine and tranquil beaches of Alibaug. The pick-up for this package will be at 7.30 am from Gateway of India.” The cost of this tour is Rs 6,897 for Single Room Occupancy and Rs 5,419 on Twin Sharing Basis and includes all meals.