Maharashtra was hot holiday spot for Delhiites on C'Wealth Games break

The Commonwealth Games 2010 that led to closure of schools and colleges in New Delhi have proved beneficial for Maharashtra, as it has become the most sought-after tourist centre.

In the last two months, the Maharashtra Tourism Corporation office based in Delhi has been flooded with visitors inquiring and booking hotels and government guesthouses in various parts of Maharashtra.

Ganesh Ramdasi, an officer in Maharashtra Information Centre, said, “The state tourism centre in Delhi has already earned a revenue of Rs6 lakh in a month.” Although a majority prefers private boarding and lodging, the number of Delhiites seeking Maharashtra to tour has grown unexpectedly.

Chief minister Ashok Chavan, who holds the culture department, said, “We have to aggressively market state to the outside world. People are looking for options and we have to make them available to them through effective communication.”

“Unlike in the past, tourists are trying different locations,” said government officials. Favourable weather conditions is one of the reasons why a large number of people are flocking to Mumbai in September-October. Sources said, “There are people who have travelled all the way from Delhi with family for pilgrimage to Shirdi en route to Mumbai. Others have tied Shirdi with Ajanta-Ellora.”
However, the trend among the new tourists appears to be to experiment other locations. There is a surprise growth among tourists who have chosen coastal Konkan as a holiday destination. It is tagged along with Bhandardara water falls (Igatpuri), Karla and Mumbai.

Tourists have realised that instead of Shimla, Manali and Nainital there are other venues for a vacation.

Interestingly, the state government has declared 2011-12, as tourism year for Maharashtra. Reckoning the potential to transform the state into a tourist destination directives have been given to improve the infrastructure complete with boarding and lodging facilities.

Sources in chief minister’s office said, “Mumbai has always been an attraction for outsiders. Bollywood itself is an added attraction. But the state government never took any major initiatives to exploit Maharashtra as a tourist attraction despite natural beauty and a historical past.”