Tourism policy aims at sector growth of 10 per cent per annum

The Tourism Policy released last week envisages achieving a sector growth of 10 per cent per annum and a share of 15 per cent in the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) through tourism and tourism-related activities. For this reason, the policy has identified and created special incentives for Ultra Mega and Mega Tourism Projects. The policy also envisages creating 1 million additional jobs in the tourism sector in the state.

According to a senior officer from Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), a high power committee under the chief secretary for the approval of Mega tourism projects has been constituted. The policy has identified key tourism products which the state plans to promote in Maharashtra, viz. rural, medical, film, adventure, beach and yacht, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) tourism. “The policy talks about constituting a special police force to be deployed at key destinations and help tourists,” said an official.