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• MTDC launches initiatives to provide better facilities to tourists, development of destinations in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray unveiled the initiatives which includes a new user-friendly website, new boat club, renovated MTDC resort, facilities for skydiving and adventure sports, and partnership with OTAs.

• ETTravelWorld
• Updated On Aug 20, 2021 at 03:08 PM IST

• Launch of a new MTDC website for faster and efficient booking by travellers.
• Enhanced facilities at the MTDC Sinhagad Resort in Pune , where visitors can now explore the Sinhagad Fort with special provisions made for trekking.
• A new boat club at Ganpatipule in Ratnagiri with beach shacks and aquatic & adventure sports facilities following the success of the Nashik boat club.

• Published On Aug 20, 2021 at 03:07 PM IST

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Information and reservation center started in the MTDC headquarters

Aditi Tatkare, state minister visited the Information and Reservation Center set up in the Ministry for information of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation headquarters in Mumbai. 

Maharashtra has a wide variety of tourism opportunities such as beaches, forests, adventure tourism, forts, cool air places. Water tourism has also recently added to this. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is ready with state of the art facilities to enable tourists to take advantage of such diverse tourism opportunities in the state, said Jayashree Bhoj, Managing Director of the Corporation. 

An information and reservation center were set up at the Trimurti premises of the Ministry from December 22 to December 24, to inform the officials, staff and general visitors of the Ministry about the services and facilities provided to tourists by MTDC. MTDC offers various schemes for government employees as well as provides discounts on various room reservations. These include Senior Citizen Concessions, Educational Travel Concessions, Ex-Servicemen Concessions, Disabled Tourist Concessions, Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Concessions, Government and Semi-Government Employees Concessions Information was provided in this center. Information was also given about the reservation of 29 tourist accommodation and 30 restaurants of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation in various tourist destinations in Maharashtra. 

Information about Nashik Boat Club, Ganpatipule Boat Club and Indian Institute of Scuba Diving and Aquatic Sports (IISDA) at Tarkarli, run by the Water and Tourism Department of the Corporation. Minister of State for Tourism Aditi Tatkare also visited and inspected this hall in the Ministry. Tatkare appealed to the people to take advantage of MTDC’s many tourists accommodation, facilities and concessions and wished them all the best for this innovative initiative of the corporation. 

Due to its diverse tourism opportunities, ‘Maharashtra Unlimited’ is the motto of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. The first scuba diving institute in the country started at Tarkarli in Sindhudurg district has become a special attraction for tourists. There are various tourist attractions in the state such as historical tourism of forts along with beaches, cool air places, experience of wildlife through forests like Tadoba, and historical caves. 

All government, semi-government officials, employees as well as citizens visiting the Ministry, visited to the reservation center set up at the Ministry premises of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and took information of the government schemes. Information Assistant Sumit Chaudhary, Clerk Assistant Nilesh Kathar and Marketing Associate Akanksha Pile, Upasana Pandey, Janhvi Bhatia under the guidance of General Manager of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Dinesh Kamble contributed in setting up this information and reservation center.

On the occasion of New Year, all the tourist residences of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation have become houseful and tourists will enjoy the arrival of New Year in the company of nature.  MTDC has been following all the guidelines of the government issued such as social distancing, sanitising and hosting many entertainment and cultural programs for the tourists during their stay. Tourists should enjoy the New Year, keeping in mind the nature and the pandemic”, appealed Deepak Harane, the Regional Manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, Pune. 

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Maharashtra budget highlights for Pune: AIIMS, infra projects, tourism development and memorials

In the budget, the long-pending pune-nashik railway project has been assured of funding for land acquisition while outer ring road has got a budgetary provision of rs 1,519 crore for land acquisition..

With Lok Sabha polls round the corner, the Maharashtra government led by the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP has presented a budget with allocations for development of tourism and religious destinations, an AIIMS, Outer Ring Road and the Pune-Nashik railway project in Pune.

In the interim budget presented on Tuesday, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar made the following announcements for his home district of Pune .

Memorials, monument and skywalk

A memorial to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj at Tulapur at a cost of Rs 270 crore, a Bhidewada National Monument in Pune, a memorial to Sant Jaganade Maharaj at Maval at a cost of Rs 66.11 crore and Rs 333.56 crore for a skywalk in Lonavala and special development authorities for the Ekvira Devi Temple in Pune have been announced.

Outer Ring Road and railway project

The long-pending Pune-Nashik railway project has been assured of funding for land acquisition while Outer Ring Road has got a budgetary provision of Rs 1,519 crore for land acquisition. The government has decided to participate in developing railway lines including two lines between Pune and Lonavala.

“The projects were announced in the past but the allocation made in the budget has confirmed their implementation. These projects will speed up as the finance minister is personally pushing them,” said an official of the district administration.

An AIIMS in Pune

An All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will be established in Pune. “This will be the first AIIMS in western Maharashtra after the one in Nagpur in the Vidarbha region,” Dinesh Waghmare, Maharashtra Medical Education Secretary told The Indian Express .

The AIIMS will be set up at Aundh, where the premises of the district hospital have been selected because of the availability of unused land there.

The AIIMS’ various objectives include developing patterns of teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in all its branches so as to demonstrate a high standard of medical education to all medical colleges and allied institutions.

There are more than 65 medical colleges in the state with an annual intake of 10,000 students for the MBBS programme. Of these, 25 are run by the state government and six by municipal corporations, while and 22 are private medical colleges and 13 are deemed-to-be universities.

According to officials, the proposed AIIMS is also expected to reduce the burden on state-run BJ Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital. Dr Nagnath Yempalle, district civil surgeon, said the campus would be spread across 85 acres approximately.

The interim budget has also announced plans to set up chemotherapy centres in all districts.

Dr Manisha Karmarkar, CEO of DPU Super Specialty Hospital in Pimpri, said, “The benefits of this step will be multifaceted as it will boost the healthcare ecosystem of the state, especially in the rural areas, create employment opportunities, open doors to healthcare innovations, and most importantly, strengthen the position of Maharashtra as a robust destination for medical tourism.”

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Experience the Mystique of Lonar Lake with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation’s New Package

PuneNow, June 24, 2023: Are you a nature lover on the lookout for an experience that is as enigmatic as it is enchanting? If so, then the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has something special in store for you.

MTDC has curated a unique experience for those who love to immerse themselves in the natural wonders of the world. The Lonar Lake, known for its unparalleled beauty and mystery, is the latest addition to MTDC’s portfolio of stunning destinations. It’s a must-visit location for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat into nature’s embrace.

To make your stay even more memorable, the MTDC Lonar Resort is ready to welcome you with warm hospitality, comfortable accommodations, and mouth-watering local cuisine that will tantalize your taste buds. Don’t just witness the beauty of Lonar Lake but live it, breathe it, and become one with it.

The new tour package, aptly named ‘GREATER CRATER TOUR – LONAR’, has been designed to give visitors an in-depth experience of the Lonar Crater, a geological marvel that has captured the imagination of scientists and tourists alike.

Lonar Crater Lake, is a unique geological marvel. Formed by a meteor impact around 50,000 years ago, it’s one of the few hyper-velocity impact craters in basaltic rock. This saline, soda lake is surrounded by lush vegetation and is rich in biodiversity.

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So, why wait? Take a plunge into the mysterious and beautiful world of Lonar Lake. The best of nature awaits you at MTDC Lonar Resort. Visit the link here to experience the superb tour package by MTDC and immerse yourself in the beauty of Lonar Lake. Let the mystery unfold and the adventure begin!

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• Volume 10, Number 3

Innovative Agrotourism Trends- Maharashtra State as a Model for Cross-Cultural Tourism in India

1 Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Global Business School and Research Centre Pune, Maharashtra, India

2 MBA Department, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected]

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.10.3.15

Article Publishing History

Review Details

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Both urban residents and farmers benefit from agro tourism. Farmers now have a second source of income, and family members now have a job opportunity. However, there are some issues with how such centers are being developed. Therefore, in order to advance and raise the income level of the farmers in Maharashtra, the government and other relevant authorities should try to support these activities. The study's goal was to investigate the difficulties that Konkan region agro-tourism centers faced 5 . It was noted that the Konkan division, the second-largest division in Maharashtra, has 33 agro tourism centers that have been successfully established (58.6 percent) Agro tourism businesses were established between 2008 and 2010, 22.2% of respondents were registered with the Maharashtra State Agro Tourism Co-operative Federation LTD (MART), but there was a lack of training for the industry (62.2%), poor communication skills (80%), a lack of coordination between the departments of agriculture and tourism (100.00%), and low levels of entrepreneurship (90.00%). (78 percent) 4 , utilizing a descriptive research methodology, primary and secondary data were collected using the questionnaire and observation as the main data collection tools. Journal articles, articles, websites, and other secondary data collection tools were used. 45 active agro tourism facilities in Maharashtra's Konkan region participated in the survey.

Agro tourism; Agribusiness enterprises; Cross-culture; Farmers; Maharashtra state

Current Development of Indian Agro –tourism industry

From a local to a worldwide level, the tourism sector is significant both economically and non-economically ways. The potential for agrotourism is limitless. India has a lot of possibility to explore its tourist potential and generate profitable returns from it. According to a private survey, Indian tourism is expanding at a rate of 10.1%, at the same time as global tourism is only expanding at a rate of 4% 2 . This indicates that Indian tourism is expanding at a rate that is 2.5 times faster than the global average.By adopting the concept of agrotourism, not only is the current growth rate sustained, but also this value-added contribution to future growth, particularly focusing on domestic tourism in addition to the package tourism, is made. Additionally, this would increase India’s tourism industry’s competitiveness on the world market.

Agro-Tourism: A New Tool for Socio-Economic Activities

Any rural individual farmer can launch an agrotourism business using his current resources as part of an innovative idea. Agrotourism facilities may be established by agricultural co-operative societies, non-governmental organizations, agricultural universities, and agricultural colleges in addition to individual farmers. Even community involvement is necessary for the success of agrotourism. Even Grampanchayats (Local Bodies), with the assistance of villagers and farmers, can launch such centres in their operational regions 1 . Agrotourism has a lot of potential in the current context because:

Agrotourism is a low-cost entryway.

An additional source of work and money for farmers who protest unpredictable revenue.

Urban residents who are concerned about their health and seek refuge in environmentally beneficial activities.

It satisfies interest in the farming sector and way of life.

There is a large need for healthy, family-friendly recreational activities.

Fosters an appreciation for and interest in nature.

It is a useful resource for fostering cultural change among urban and rural populations.

A novel approach to lessen disappointment with overcrowded cities and resorts.

Reminiscence of their farm-based origins.

The educational benefits of agrotourism.

Assists in lightening the load on other established tourist destinations.

The best resource for cross-cultural transmission, last but not least.

Objectives of the study

To analyze the trends in agro-tourism industry in the state of Maharashtra as a model for cross-cultural tourism in India

To recognize agro tourism as a cross-cultural trending instrument and to offer recommendations for presenting Maharashtra State as a “Model of Indian Agro-tourism.”

Hypothesis of the study

The level of awareness and both tourists and farmers have a positive relationship.

The level of entrepreneurial culture and both tourists and farmers have a positive relationship.

There is a positive relationship between bank loan interest and both tourists and farmers.

Research Methodology

Sources of data

The Maharashtra State Agro Tourism Co-operative Federation Limited (MART), Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (MTDC), and Agro-Tourism Development Corporation’s records provided the study’s primary data and basic information (ATDC). The investigator then conducted one-on-one interviews with the owners of agro tourism centers after creating an interview schedule with goals in mind.

The following sources provided the secondary data and other pertinent information for the study:

Published studies, papers, and other data from various agriculture organizations.

Reference materials related to the topic published by various authors and organizations, including reports, bulletins, journals, and periodicals.

Taking part in training sessions, seminars, and workshops on the subject.

Locale of the study

The Konkan region of Maharashtra state served as the site of the current study.

Research design

The study’s research design was exploratory.

Selection of the respondents

Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts are located in the Konkan region. The study covered each of Konkan’s five districts. Agro tourism facilities are located in the area and are registered with the Maharashtra State Agro Tourism Co-operative Federation Limited (MART), the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (MTDC), and the Agro-Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC). Agro tourism facilities are also operating in the area without being registered with any organization.

In order to identify the actual operational agro tourism centers, a pilot survey was conducted in five districts of the Konkan region: Palghar, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Sindhudurg, and Thane.

50 operational agro-tourism centers were chosen for the study from a list of well-functioning working agro-tourism centers that was created with the aid of the pilot survey. 45 respondents from five different districts were chosen at random to make up the sample.

Construction of Schedule

The scheduled structured interviews are used as a tool for data collection. An interview schedule was created with the study’s goals in mind.

Data collection was done using the personal interview technique.

Statistical analysis

Using parameters like frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation, the data were processed and tabulated.

Result and Analysis

Current agro tourism conditions in Maharashtra’s Konkan region

Maharashtra’s division-specific agro tourism destinations

Maharashtra’s division-specific agro tourism destinations (November, 2020) under the auspices of Maharashtra State Agricultural Tourism Cooperative Federation Limited (MART) 3

Table 1 and Fig. 1 were reviewed to determine the distribution of agro-tourism centers by division in the state of Maharashtra. Of the centers registered with MART, slightly more than two-thirds (58.6%) were located in the Pune division, and 21.1% were located in the Konkan division. Nasik came in second with 3.8 percent of the agro-tourism centers, followed by Nagpur with 11.5 percent, Amravati with 2.4 percent, and Aurangabad division with 2.21 percent. The highest number of active agro tourism facilities is 124, located in Pune division. With 33 successfully established agro tourism centers, the Konkan division of Maharashtra is the second-largest division.

Year of establishment

The data pertaining to the year of establishment of agro-tourism enterprises are given in Table 2.

As seen in Table 2 and Fig. 2, the majority of agro tourism businesses (44.4%) were founded between 2006 and 2007, 22% between 2008 and 2010, 13.3% between 2005 and 2006, and 8.8% between 2001 and 2005 and 1970 to 1990, respectively.

This business gained traction after the Agro-Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) was founded in 2005 and the Maharashtra State Agro Tourism Co-operative Federation Limited (MART) in 2008. The agro-tourism concept began to gain popularity as a result of the federation’s efforts in both areas, particularly in promoting the concept in urban areas and providing training to farmers regarding agro-tourism.

Agro-tourism center registered under organization

The first state in India to introduce agro tourism was Maharashtra. Numerous societies, organizations, and NGOs working on agriculture tourism in the Maharashtra state have received official recognition from the Maharashtra government. Table 3 displays the distribution of respondents by the organization that their agro-tourism centre is registered with.

The Agro Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) and the Maharashtra State Agro Tourism Co-operative Federation LTD respectively registered 38.0% and 33.3% of the respondents, respectively, according to Table 3 and Fig. 3, respectively (MART). Only 40% of respondents were registered with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, however (MTDC)

Agro tourism centers have been established by farmers in the Konkan region and throughout the state as a result of the MTDC and ATDC initiatives to launch the Mahahraman scheme and Agro Tourism Vistar Yojana, respectively. With the primary goal of coordinating the activity of planning, financing, marketing, and liaison with various state and central governmental agencies, MART is similarly working on the agricultural tourism line.

Challenges faced by the agro-tourism center owner for running agro-tourism center

The following are some of the main obstacles or roadblocks to the proper development of agro tourism enterprises:

According to Table 4, the owner of an agro-tourism centre faced challenges such as a lack of training in agro-tourism (62.2%), poor communication skills (80%), a lack of coordination between the agriculture and tourism departments (100.00%), low awareness of agro-tourism among farmers and tourists (48.8%), a low level of entrepreneurial culture (78%).

Maharashtra’s Konkan region is experiencing rapid growth in agro tourism 6 . Despite this, there are obstacles preventing Maharashtra’s agro-tourism industry from developing further. Here are a few of them

Weather conditions

Orientation issues in customer communications and marketing fragmented and less productive land

Lack of understanding of government agricultural policies and programmes

Fewer visitors are drawn to the agro tourism centre.

Table 1: Maharashtra’s division-by-division distribution of agro tourism destinations (December, 2019) Licensed by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Tourism Cooperative Federation Limited (MART)

Table 2: Distribution of the agro tourism destinations based on the founding year.

Table 3: Distribution of the agro tourism centers according to the organization that each one is registered with

Table 4: Distribution of the respondents in accordance with the difficulties the owner of the agro tourism centre has in operating the centre

  The findings regarding the difficulties faced by the proprietor of an agro tourism facility are shown in Table 4.

Table 5: Hypothesis Testing

The significant values 0.03, 0.02 and 0.01 respectively which is less than standard significant value of 0.05. Hence, it is proved that there were positive and significant relationships founds. According to table 5, the current study’s hypotheses are accepted and the null hypothesis is rejected.

In summary, agro tourism is beneficial to both traditional and contemporary agricultural activities. Farmers now have the chance to use the available resources in a diversified and creative manner. Both farmers and tourists benefit from it, which is a win-win situation. By creatively utilizing the resources at their disposal, farmers can increase their income, and tourists can affordably enjoy rural life and nature. Additionally, the growth of agro-tourism is advantageous for the villages. A few instances of agro tourism in the Maharashtra district’s Konkan region. Agro tourism has been demonstrated in Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg to benefit a village’s overall social and economic development in addition to the development of its farmers. Despite the fact that agro tourism is expanding, government support through appropriate and favorable policies for its development is still lacking. As a result, the government should give Maharashtra’s agro tourism industry priority through appropriate policy measures.

To promote and spread the idea of agro-tourism as an easily adaptable and implementable business for farmers in India, a proper business model is required. All of the aforementioned issues can be resolved, and agro tourism can be introduced gradually and piecemeal. It all depends on the farmers’ determination and the effective marketing techniques used to sell the idea to weekend visitors.  

Acknowledgement

There is no any the funding sources to conduct this research

Conflict of Interest

There is no any conflict of interest including any financial, personal or other relationships with other people or organizations that can influence their work.

Funding Sources

There is no funding sources

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