Maharashtra aims big

Maharashtra has the potential to attract tourists from around the world, and the state’s tourism department is presently focused on attracting more visitors from the US and China.

Nisha Verma

Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal explains how Maharashtra has many dimensions for tourism just like any other part of India. Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik are international cities, offering a plethora of things to do for tourists. The state has around 720 kms of shoreline which allows tourists to see dolphins all around the year. Other sites include the wildlife sanctuary in Nagpur, world heritage sites like Ajanta and Ellora caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara (mausoleum built by 6th Mughal emperor Aurangzeb) and heritage cities like Aurangabad which tourists can explore.

Rawal claims that Maharashtra is quite vibrant, and the state will have many tourists. He says, “We have been working on attracting more people from different parts of the world, especially China. I believe the Chinese tourists’ emotions can match with the Indians and they will feel more comfortable once they visit us. We have asked the American government to better the relations between India and US, which would further open doors for Americans to visit our country. The Prime Minister himself is promoting India tourism in every speech and claiming how it will provide employment to many people without causing any strain on the resources. I think, India can become a trillion-dollar economy with proper emphasis on the tourism industry.”

The Prime Minister himself is promoting India tourism in every speech. India can become a trillion-dollar economy

The image of India that is being portrayed is unrealistic and wrong, and this perception needs to be changed in the international tourists’ mind. “Schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD are good, but the state governments are not moving with great speed on them,” he feels. Rawal adds that the state government, under the PRASAD scheme, is developing the jyotirlingas in Maharashtra. Other sites covered under the scheme are Nashik (pilgrim site) and Trimbakeshwar (one of the 12 jyotirlingas).