Maharashtra Tourism participates at WTM 2022

A delegation from the Tourism department of Maharashtra headed by Hon. Minister of Tourism Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, along with Tourism Secretary Saurabh Vijay, MTDC MD Shraddha Joshi Sharma, Director Dr. B.N.Patil and Joint Director Dr. Dhananjay Sawalkar are attending the World Travel Mart in London, United Kingdom from 7th November to 9th November, 2022. The stall of state tourism department is a replica of Gateway of India, as it is one of the prime monuments of Mumbai and, a point of entry in the state.  

Highlights - 

1. Around 40 different stakeholders meetings happened with Maharashtra Tourism Pavilion
2. Telangana Tourism Minister and Tamilnadu Tourism Secretary also visited the pavilion
3. Indian High Commissioner Uk and Mr. Arvind Singh, Secretary Tourism, Govt of India

The delegation meet leading tour operators, travel agents and media partners, to discuss and showcase the diversity of its numerous tourism products & experiences like cultural and heritage sites, exhilarating adventure experiences, exotic cuisine, wine tourism, agro tourism, wondrous wildlife and pristine beaches. The state is also giving an opportunity to co-exhibitors to showcase and promote specific products related to the above mentioned verticles.

The highlight of the event will be live representation of Pandharpurchi Wari, Maharashtrian wedding to give a glimpse of the Maharashtrian traditions and culture. The State will also promote the newly created diamond circuit- Mumbai, Pune, Nashik & Aurangabad, through AV, brochures etc. The state will also organise a roadshow to display its rich diversity and legacy. 

The state attracts large numbers of national and international tourists owing to the famous 6 world heritage sites such as Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Ensemble of Art Deco buildings in Mumbai and 4 natural sites as part of the Western Ghats. Therefore, newly created 360 degree videos of the UNESCO heritage sites will also be a part of the promotions where tourists would be given an experience of viewing those videos through VR headsets. 

Hon. Tourism Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said, “Maharashtra has immense potential in agriculture tourism, culture tourism, and adventure tourism, which is rare to see in one state. Through WTM, we want to reach out to and welcome international tourists to showcase these and innumerable other products that the state has to offer. The tourism department is striving to adapt and upgrade the definition of tourism in the state by adopting more sustainable, flexible and inclusive tourism.”

Mr Saurabh Vijay, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Maharashtra talked about the revival steps and safety measures that Maharashtra Tourism department has taken to ensure safety of the travellers. He said, “Post pandemic, Maharashtra issued an exhaustive list of protocols for all the segments of tourism like accommodation units, travel companies, transportation, tour guides, tourists, amusement and water parks. Under SATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness and Training for Hospitality Industry) scheme of Government of India (GoI), more than 400 hotels have registered who are following these COVID appropriate protocols. This means it’s absolutely safe to travel and stay in Maharashtra.”