The first edition of Maharashtra International Travel Mart launched

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Devender Grover
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The Government of Maharashtra’s ambitious international tourism promotion project, Maharashtra International Travel Mart 2015 – popularly known as MITM – was launched amid the huge number of buyers and sellers of the tourism industry from various countries. The first ever edition of MITM, which is set to take Maharashtra’s robust tourism growth story on a global level was launched by Devendra Fadanvis, Chief Minister, Maharashtra State.

Formally inaugurating the MITM at the JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra announced a slew of measures being taken by the state government for giving a boost to the tourism and hospitality sector. He said, “The number of hotel licences have been reduced from 71 to 25 and further would be consolidated into 6, for which only 1 form has to be filled on the digital platform. Enticing the film industry, he said that the Government of Maharashtra has also relaxed regulatory framework for film shooting. Film-makers have to apply online and if they don’t get a response in 7 days, it will be deemed as granted.”

“Mumbai can be a city for live performances. Organising a live show in Mumbai is a tough task, because of the number of the permissions required. He added,” We want to promote Mumbai and Maharashtra as event destinations. Therefore, they will be designated as event destinations and no permissions will be required. The organisers just need to inform the government about the event they are organising.”

Talking about the draft tourism policy of the state, Fadanvis said, “Within a week we will circulate the draft to all the stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry. The policy is aimed at attracting private investments and the travel and tourism industry is welcome to give suggestions. The policy should be tourist-operator friendly and actually be aimed at ease of doing business.”

During the inaugural show Fadnavis launched the new website for Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) together with the mobile application (app), Maha Explorer. The app is now available on Google Playstore and one will soon be able to access it on AppStore. Soon one will be able to access the app offline too.
He further added that the first ever centre for scuba diving in India has become operational in Sindhudurg effective 28th September 2015. It will be an added advantage for a tourist visiting Maharashtra.”
The Chief Minister expressed his happiness over the exciting  response to the mart. I saw stakeholders from the travel industry in Maharashtra and from all the states engaging at the mart.MITM witnessed participation of 300 buyers and 1,000 trade visitors on the first day. There are 6,000 appointments scheduled over 3 days of the event.
Valsa Singh Nair, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Maharashtra said, “While the Government of Maharashtra is intending to bring the State tourism on a global map, it becomes imperative to build further on the existing credentials of the State as the most preferred tourism destination and explore avenues to consolidate its positioning. With vast tourism assets at disposal, it is an opportune time for the State to win a prominent position in a global tourism league. This is possible only when we build and expand a strong tourism buyer and seller network within the State, within the country and on a global level.” Adding further, she said, “MITM is an endeavour to bring in the maximum number of tourism buyers and sellers on a single platform and empower them to explore economic growth opportunities in Maharashtra’s tourism sector. We are happy to witness such a promising response from buyers and sellers from the globe. We are sure to see a number of partnership, tie-ups happening among tour operators, hoteliers, travel agents. It will also pave the way to attract foreign investments in the sector.” She further added, ” The draft national tourism policy talks about an India Travel Mart, and Mumbai with its world-class airport, infrastructure support, stable law and order situation and entrepreneurial support, is the best destination to host the event. So I urge the Centre to consider Mumbai as the potential destination.”

ParaagJaiinNainuttia IAS, Managing Director MTDC, said, “MITM will help our dedicated campaign of ‘Unlimited Maharashtra’ to reach the next level on a global platform, as more buyers and sellers can witness the State’s tourism prospects. When the State is striving hard to ensure a fast-track growth in tourism sector, MITM will open up an array of economic opportunities for buyers and sellers that will strengthen the eco-system of the State’s tourism. The participation from global tourism players will allow the deliveries of world-class tourism products and services to the visitors enriching their experiences.
He said, “MITM is meeting the needs of buyers with highest standards of exhibitors. We have 75 international buyers, 150 pan India buyers, more than 200 sellers from Maharashtra, which includes hotels tour operators, MICE operators, spas, Ayurvedic spas, airlines, transport operators, etc. Maharashtra has the best infrastructure and is well connected. The ports of Maharashtra are also well-connected. Blessed by natural history we have a 720-km-long coastline along the Konkan region and more than 450 forts.”

Nainuttia informed that MTDC is planning to organise the Elephanta festival, Kalidas festival in Nagpur in November, and Allora Festival in Aurangabad. “We are planning to organise Mumbai Shopping Festival on the lines of Dubai Shopping Festival in January, which will showcase footwear, apparels, jewellery and transform Mumbai into a shopping hub. The entire city will participate in Mumbai Shopping Festival. The Government of Maharashtra will soon implement a single-window clearance policy for the hospitality sector. This Department is headed by the honourable CM. Tourism is the only industry which can bridge geographies and has multiplier effect.”

Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State with Independent Charge for Tourism & Culture and Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Government of India,, “I compliment Maharashtra Tourism for coming up with MITM. Besides generating forex, tourism also generates employment and leads to women empowerment. Tourism is all about perception, when tourists are aware that India is a clean and friendly destination, people will start coming to India.”

Lauding the potential of Mumbai, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who was the guest at the event, rounded up saying, “I don’t see why Mumbai cannot be the entertainment capital of the world, when it is already home of Bollywood and the entertainment capital of Asia.”

The inauguration witnessed presence of Ram Shindhe, Minister of State for Tourism, Maharashtra; Vinod Tawade, Minister of School Education, Government of Maharashtra;  Poonam Mahajan, MP, Mumbai; Satish Soni, Joint Managing Director, MTDC, and MLA Parag Alavani.

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