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Maharashtra Proposes To Get New Tourism Policy
Reema Sisodia - Mumbai
After a gap, Maharashtra tourism is in news again. This time
it is not about any new tourism projects but that of an entire new tourism policy,
which is proposed to come into action by the end of 2005. The recently appointed
managing director, for Maharashtra State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd
(MTDC) Bhushan Gagrani, said, "We are hoping to float a completely new
tourism policy with new plans and development programmes. We are looking towards
privatisation of few of the popular MTDC resorts hence are looking for private
participation especially from hospitality investors. Though Maharashtra did
have a tourism policy in the past, they were more in the form of incentive policies.
We at MTDC can make the necessary suggestions and propose and formulate the
policy, but the ultimate decision to pass the policy for effective implementation
rests with the state government. As of now our promotional budget is only one
crore. But, we at our end are putting sincere efforts to make a difference."
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We are hoping to float a completely
new tourism policy with new plans and development programmes. We are looking
towards privatisation of few of the popular MTDC resorts hence are looking
for private participation especially from hospitality investors
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The new tourism policy will have emphasis on eco-tourism,
wherein the objective would be to promote the place as an eco-tourism region
but keeping the natural habitat intact. Says Gagrani, "It is important
to make the place habitable, hence we need to provide decent living facilities
in the eco-tourism regions." Developing house boats in the Konkan belt
would also be part of the new initiative to boost tourism. MTDC is also looking
for private participation towards the development of the house boat concept
in the Konkan region.
The other aspect that would be part of the new tourism policy is that of protection
of monuments. A request would be put to the archaeological department to come
up with a policy to protect monuments.
Gagrani emphasised that, they are looking at private investors to take over
various tourism developmental projects in Maharashtra.
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