Mumbai is the Gateway of India. What are the initiatives taken to make Mumbai and Maharashtra the preferred destination for the inbound traveller?
Looking towards the budget provisions for publicity in order to put Maharashtra on the tourism map, the budget for publicity has been enhanced from 5 million rupees which was about 2 years ago to 3 crores (30 million) during the last year. This year the Government of Maharashtra has allocated 15 crores or 150 million which is a very bold step on creating awareness about Maharashtra and putting it on the tourism map. Publicity is the key to create awareness and with bigger budgets, I am sure that the awareness of Maharashtra as a tourist destination will definitely increase.

Besides publicity, the investments in infrastructure has also been enhanced from 60 crores or 600 million last year to 205 crores or 2.05 billion this year which is a great boost towards improving infrastructure facilities for domestic as well as inbound tourism. The main projects to be taken up by tourism department and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) include the Ajanta - Ellora Development Programme in Phase II. Then there are other projects such as Konkan area development, Mahableshwar and Matheran development, Karla Development and Kunkeshwar.

This year the emphasis will be on Coastal Tourism development under the 12th Finance Commission and for this development there is an allocation for the Tourism Department by the Government of 250 crores or 2.5 billion rupees which amounts to 62.5 crores or 625 million rupees. This amount will be invested every year for the development of Coastal and Eco-Tourism of Maharashtra.

This is the first time that such large investments are allocated for Tourism which in turn will ensure better infrastructure and better publicity for the Tourism products of Maharashtra. In the long run, Maharashtra is going to get more popular for its scenic beauty, forts, forests, beaches, mountains, pilgrimages and so on. Excepting snow, Maharashtra is a State which can offer all the experiences that a person is looking out for in a holiday.

The Mumbai-ite generally takes holidays to Lonavala, Khandala, Mahableshwar or Matheran. Which are the other weekend getaways that can be added to these popular hill stations?
With the high stressful lives that we experience in big cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad or Nagpur, people look out for short holiday breaks or getaways which are in and around the metropolis. Lonavala, Khandala, Mahableshwar and Matheran no doubt are extremely popular. There is also Karla, Alibaug and we are also taking the development of Sinhaghad Fort, the Konkan rail route with our main product being the Deccan Odyssey which is one of the prime products which goes to Aurangabad, Konkan, Pune, Nashik and Kolhapur but does not touch the Vidharbha region. So our other project is developing rail services in the Vidharba area. We have a narrow gauge train and Government of Maharashtra has assured to give Tourism Maharashtra 1 crore or 10 million rupees to develop South Central Railway. First instalment is already disbursed and the work has commenced and I have personally visited the region and interacted with various officers and we plan to launch the product some time in December so that the services can be used in the forest areas of Vidharba. The itinerary has yet to be finalized. However, it will be a very innovative product and will provide short getaways to the public especially in the region of Vidharba.

Many metropolis cities globally attract tourists thru shopping festivals, sporting events ,etc. What initiatives can be taken on these lines to promote Maharashtra tourism. We have our forts in Mumbai. We are planning to have Mumbai fort circuit which would include the five forts of Mumbai - the Bandra Fort, Sewri Fort, Worli Fort, Godbunder Fort and probably the Vasai Fort (which is with the Archeological Survey of India). These forts are to be redeveloped in the coming year. The first to get a makeover is the Sewri Fort and a detailed plan for restoration and upgradation has already been made by the Mumbai Fort Forum. The state is expecting the centre to support this venture financially and is expecting Rs 5 crore or 50 million rupees for the development of each fort. The first phase will have five forts under its plan while the Mahim Fort and a few others will come under the second phase. The following attractions are intended for the Sewri Fort: sound and light show for visitors, an exhibition area and a museum to display the history of the fort, information about the surrounding flora and fauna, a favourable spot for tourists for flamingo viewing since the fort is located close to the flamingo bay and rich crop of mangroves. We also are planning an amphitheatre within the fort. The fort circuit will be a good experience to understand the history of Mumbai and will cater not only to the regular tourists but also students and historians who would like to go back in time and understand the historical importance of these forts in earlier times.

Mumbai Festival is also being organized by certain NGO committees with active support from Maharashtra Tourism. Government of Maharashtra along with Maharashtra Tourism plan to offer during the festivals various experiences which would includes fairs, bazaars, night life, shopping festival and much more. MTDC is also associated with the Lucky Lakshmi Scheme which was launched during Diwali along with the All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation. This 45-day nationwide shopping festival called 'Lucky Lakshmi,' offers a lucky draw scheme of winning 5 kg gold whilst shopping for jewelry which was at its peak during Diwali.

We also organize the Banganga and Elephanta Festivals on a regular basis, the Kalidas Festival in Nagpur. The Kalidas Festival endeavours to bring back memories of the golden period of the Vidarbha region. It was in here that Mahakavi Kalidas had penned some of his greatest literary works. Then there is the Ajanta and Ellora Festival in Aurangabad, the Chikhaldara Festival in Chikhaldara, near Amravati. Some of the new festivals include the Dassera Festival in Kohlapur as well as the Solapur Festival in Solapur. The tourism ministry has allocated 5 lakhs or five hundred thousand rupees to each district to organize these festivals which displays the potential of local tourism and helps boost the tourism in the region as well as attract tourists from other districts and states.

Goa is known for its beaches, Kerala for backwaters and Rajasthan for palaces, what should be the famous icons for the state of Maharashtra?
Maharashtra has a lot to offer to the tourists. We have backwaters, virgin beaches, forts, palaces and with the new publicity budget we will be displaying what all Maharashtra has to offer. We have fort circuits, we have caves, Koyna and Bhandardara backwater, wildlife- so it's a mixed bag.

What areas of tourism can Maharashtra cater to?
Our emphasis has been to promote Eco-tourism as well as there is potential for Medical Tourism too. We are in touch with the Central Government to realize the potential of emerging areas of tourism for our region. Some of the popular excursion opportunities are

BEACHES

Maharashtra has a 720 km long coast along the Arabian Sea extending from Dahanu and Bordi in the north proceeding southwards into Goa. The coastal climate of Maharashtra makes travelling pleasant all year round. Seas are rough only during the monsoon which strikes between June and September. Some of the popular beach places are-Mandwa and Kihim. You will find these two beach fronts 12 miles north of Alibaug on the north coast and easily accessible from Mumbai. Mandwa is a beautiful, untrodden beach. On a clear day one can enjoy a long, breathtaking view across the bay, up to the Gateway of India. Mandwa village too, has a charm of its own - with its beautiful groves of coconut palms. You can plan an unusual tent holiday nearby at Kihim. Unspoilt and isolated, this beautiful place has a soothing effect on all city dwellers. For the nature lover, Kihim has a lot to offer: woods brimming with wild flowers and rare butterflies and birds. Worth visiting is the Kolaba Fort, just a furlong away from the shore. 15 kms from Alibaug is Chaul, an historic place with Portuguese ruins, Buddhist Caves, the Hamam Khana, a church, a temple and even a synagogue.

Ganapatipule
The sun-kissed beach
and lush green of Ganapatipule inevitably draws tourists back, year after year. The added attraction is a 400-year old temple which houses the Swayambhu Ganapati. Some interesting excursions are: Malgund, the birthplace of Keshavsoot, the Marathi poet.

Ratnagiri - the birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak, and Thebaw Place, where the deposed king of Burma was confined. Jaigad Fort and Swami Swarupanand's Ashram in Pawas are also worth a visit.

Tarkali
Situated 6 kms south of Malvan and 546 kms away from Mumbai on the coast of Maharashtra is Tarkarli. The major attraction here is the long and narrow stretch of beach, with its pristine water. On a clear day, you can see the sea bed through a depth of 20 ft. Then, of course there are the forts - Sindhudurg, one of Maharashtra's more popular and important sea forts, built in the 17 th century and the famous Padmagarh fort. While in Tarkarli, experience unusual-staying in MTDC's Konkani Huts. Other popular beaches in Maharashtra are Dahanu-Bordi, Marve, Manori, Gorai, Shriwardhan- Harihareshwar, Velneshwar and Vengurla-Malvan

SANCTUARIES
A haven for nature lovers - Maharashtra is a home to large number of animal and bird species including the tiger, crocodile, bison, gawa, neelgai, wild deer, sambars and rare migratory birds. These parks offer splendid opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife in a spectacular natural setting. Jeep rides, night safaris, library and audio-visual facilities as well as accommodation and efficient transport are available at these parks.

Chikaldhara
Featured in the epic, the Mahabharata, this is the place where Bheema killed the villainous Keechaka in a herculean bout and then threw him into the valley. It thus came to be known as Keechakadara or Chikhaldara. This sole hill resort in the Vidarbha region, is situated at an altitude of 1118 m and has the added dimension of being the only coffee-growing area in Maharashtra. It abounds in wildlife -- panthers, sloth bears, sambar, wild boar, and even the rarely seen wild dogs. Close by is the famous Melghat Tiger Project which has 82 tigers. The scenic beauty of Chikhaldara can be enjoyed from Hurricane Point, Prospect Point, and Devi Point. Other interesting excursions include Gavilgad and Narnala Fort, the Pandit Nehru Botanical Gardens, the Tribal Museum and the Semadoh Lake.

Tadoba
Often referred to as “The Jewel of Vidharba”, the Tadoba National Park lies in the district of Chandrapur in the north-eastern part of Maharashtra.
Located in the heart of a reserved forest, it is an infinite treasure trove of innumerable species of trees and plants - and wildlife that includes tigers, panthers, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, bison, barking deer, nil gai, sambar, and cheatal. In fact, the Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Santuary together form the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The park derives its name from “Taru” the local deity, whereas the Andhari river that meanders through the forest gives the sanctuary its name.

Pench
The Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve extends over an area of 257 sq. km. in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hill ranges, along the northern boundary of Nagpur District. It was declared a National Park by the Government of Maharashtra in 1975 and received the official status of “Tiger Reserve of India” in February 1999.The park gets its name from the Pench River, which meanders through it like a mammoth python, dividing it down the center. Pench is an important ecosystem supporting an abundance of flora and fauna, including a rich variety of aquatic life.

Not surprisingly, the beauty of this part of central India has earned much literary attention. The poet Kalidas writes about the scenic charm of the place in his epics Meghdootam and Sakuntalam. R.A. Strendale's “Camp in the Satpura Hills” draws a vivid pen picture of this idyllic paradise - as does Forsyth's “Highlands of Central India”. The park is home to 33 species of mammals, 164 species of birds, 50 species of fish, 10 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles, and a wide variety of insect life. While primarily and reservation for tigers and panthers, Pench is also home to sambhar, chital, barking deer, nilgai, black buck, gaur, wild boar, chausingha, sloth bears, wild dogs, langurs, monkeys, mouse deer, black-naped hares, jackals, foxes, hyenas, porcupines, and flying squirrels, to name a few.

Here, birdlife is equally bountiful. The feathered denizens of Pench include both resident and migratory birds like Malabar pied hornbills, Indian pittas, ospreys, grey-headed fishing eagles, white-eyed buzzards, storks, waterfowls, four endangered vulture species, and the green pigeon, which is the State Bird. Pench is a naturalist's dream come true; a mind-expanding experience if ever there is one.

Other popular sanctuaries in Maharashtra are Bhamragarh, Bor Dam, Chaprala, Daijpur, Nagzira and Tipeshwar.
Besides beaches and wildlife sanctuaries, Maharashtra has some very popular hill stations, scenic villages, coastal forts as well as caves and cave temples. You can get more information on the places to visit on our website http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in

Tell us about the Deccan Odyssey

The people who have experienced the Deccan Odyssey easily rank it as one of the best luxury trains in the world. It has two restaurants, executive suite, conference hall, spa, a massage centre, a gym on board the train. It is a 7 days journey which takes you to the major touristic locations of Maharashtra. We are in the third year of operation of the Deccan Odyssey and this prime product has increased acceptance by the traveller. The objective of the Deccan Odyssey is primarily to showcase the best of tourism that Maharashtra has to offer such as the pristine beauty of Konkan coast, the art, the culture and the heritage of Maharashtra which includes the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora. The Deccan Odyssey has been benchmarked against the best luxury trains in the world such as the Orient Express of Europe, the Blue Train of South Africa and the Eastern and Oriental Train of South East Asia.

The train has 21 coaches and can accommodate 80 passengers with a maximum of 8 passengers per coach. The coaches comprise of passenger cars, coupes, presidential suite cars, conference car, two dining cars, two generator cars with luggage storage facility as well as cars that have spa and bar facilities. The onboard facilities include Television, Cable connection with central audio disc player, cell phone facility, channel music as well as foreign exchange facilities. The 7 days itinerary include visit to some of the best places in Maharashtra namely Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Ganapatipule, Sindhudurg, Tarkarli, Goa, Kolhapur, Pune, Aurangabad including Ajanta and Ellora as well as Nashik. The tour begins every Wednesday from Mumbai and covers the entire coastline of 720 kilometres which is dotted with beautiful and unspoiled palm fringed beaches, supplemented by ancient temples, coastal forts and sea forts that reminds you of the naval power of the Maratha Empire.

You can experiences great Malvani and Konkani cuisine en route which blends with the scenic beauty of the coast of Ganapatipule and Sindhudurg. It touches Goa - a beach haven for most tourists across the globe and then takes you to Kolhapur which is a city rich in culture, history, nature and industry. Pune is the other city en route which is fast emerging as the IT capital of Maharashtra and you can visit the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum from Pune which display 17th century miniatures and priceless collections of nut crackers, lamps and many other items going back in time to the Mughal and Maratha period.

From Pune you move on to Aurangabad- a city founded by the Mogul Emperor Aurangzeb and visit the wall painting or frescoes painted on the walls of the famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves. The Ellora Caves is a complex of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain caves with the highlight being the Kailas Temple which is one of the finest monolithic sculptures that the world has seen.

At Ajanta - the Buddhist sculptures vividly describes the lives and legend of Buddha and the stone colours even today are admired by visitors. You then move on to Nashik - the land well known for its Kumbh Mela which is held once every twelve years and millions gather at the Panchwati Ghat to take a holy dip in the Godavari river.In short, the Deccan Odyssey experience is an experience of a life time which takes you thru the most historic and scenic places of Maharashtra.

The State with 27 wild life sanctuaries, 4 National Parks, several religious sites, scenic beauty, a long coastline with scores of beaches which has several forts along the way intertwined with the folk arts, colourful festivals, cuisine gives you a glimpse of this great state in mere 7 days.

What about intra-region tourism?
We have our preferred agents who can be contacted to offer the products that Maharashtra has to offer. We are also planning to introduce set itineraries which will give the entire range of experiences to the traveller by taking help of well know tour operators.

Lastly what are the development plans for making Maharashtra a premier tourist destination?
The development of Maharashtra Tourism is divided into two phases. Under Phase I, advertisements of various tourist destinations will be carried out in various travel and trade magazines in India as well as abroad which would also include installation of translites at the five gateway airports of India.

Under Phase II, we are seeking expertise of reputed advertising and P.R. companies to provide contents, create public awareness not only in print media but also electronic media. One of the campaigns is “slowdown weekend” where we are telling the people of the major metropolis to get away from the stress of the city and take weekend breaks to nearby areas. We will also be having a series of informative article on Ajanta-Ellora, beaches and our premier product - the Deccan Odyssey.

From the point of product development, we have a few projects lined up, some of which are already underway. With a view to take the tourist for natural tourism trail and sail in the Konkan backwaters, we have decided to start houseboat projects at Auronda, Madkhol and Tarkarli in the Sindhudurg district in the near future. A luxury houseboat and two standard houseboats are being set up and they will be equipped with two bedrooms and annexed facilities.

After the success of the Deccan Odyssey, we are planning a luxury train between Nagpur and Nagbhid which will run on a narrow gauge and comprise of 11 bogies. The renovation work is in full swing and we should be ready to launch it very shortly.

MTDC has also encouraged various festivals as mentioned earlier such as the Elephanta Festival every February, the Ellora Festival near Aurangabad in December, The Kalidas Festival in November in Nagpur, the Banganga Festival in January in Mumbai, the Pune Festival which is held around the same time as Ganesh Chaturthi and lasts for 10 days, the Kalaghoda Fair in Mumbai for art lovers which is being hosted since 1995 and has active support from leading business houses and Chambers of Commerce is extremely popular. To create awareness of Maharashtra we participated in one of the major tourism events earlier this year in February known as the Surajkund Mela and was organized by the Haryana State. During this festival, Maharashtra's culture was exhibited in a traditional way and on display were the traditional crafts, handicrafts, cuisine, folk art and culture and was highly appreciated at all levels.

The latest feather to our cap has been the promotion of cruises from Mumbai with the commencement of Star Cruise which has a capacity of 1500 passengers and this move has put Maharashtra on the Cruise Tourism map. MTDC has given encouragement to promote cruise tourism and as part of this scheme, we have created a portal weblink of Star Cruise in our tourism portal. MTDC in the near future would also encourage new Cruise projects. We also have online booking systems for our resorts as well as for Deccan Odyssey.

Lastly, your message your readers
I would say Maharashtra has everything to offer what you look for in a holiday and our state is rich in history, culture, sights, cuisine, luxury train, a cruise, festivals, beaches, sanctuaries, forts, temples, caves, backwater, hill stations and a lot more - in short, it is the ideal place for a complete holiday experience.

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