Maharashtra Plans to More Than Double Annual Tourism Arrivals

Maharashtra officials announced a new tourism initiative to increase annual visitor arrivals from 16.13 crore ^[1] to 35 crore ^[1].

This expansion aims to stimulate the state's economy by diversifying its travel offerings beyond traditional hubs. By leveraging unique geological and military assets, the state hopes to attract a broader demographic of domestic and international travelers.

Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, General Manager of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), said the plan focuses heavily on the Konkan coastal region. The strategy includes the promotion of geoglyphs, stepwells, and caves, as well as tiger reserves and World Heritage sites.

One of the most distinct elements of the plan involves the creation of an artificial coral reef. Jaiswal said the reef will be created using a decommissioned Navy warship ^[1]. This project is intended to create a new attraction for underwater tourism and ecological conservation.

In addition to these large-scale attractions, the MTDC is introducing new homestay initiatives. These programs are designed to integrate local communities into the tourism economy, providing visitors with authentic cultural experiences while creating income streams for residents.

"We aim to boost tourism from 16.13 crore to 35 crore visitors," Jaiswal said ^[1].

The push for 35 crore visitors represents a significant leap in infrastructure requirements. The state will need to scale transportation and lodging to accommodate the projected increase in traffic, particularly in the ecologically sensitive Konkan region.