Maharashtra To Push Rural Tourism With New Festivals
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Tourism Department will promote lesser-known rural destinations by organizing tourism festivals as part of efforts to attract more visitors to the state. Tourism Minister Shambhuraje Desai said on Monday that the ministry has identified rural places that can be showcased to strengthen Maharashtra’s tourism brand and attract international travellers.
At the end of the five-day Koyana Daulat Dongari Mahotsav in Satara, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced plans to develop the area into a major tourist destination. He noted that the number of foreign tourists coming to the state has increased sharply from 15 lakh in 2022 to 37 lakh in 2026, indicating the impact of the government’s tourism policy.
Mr. Desai, who is also Satara’s Conservation Minister, said rural tourism should be strengthened to put the region on the global tourism map. “Considering the response of 1.80 lakh visitors to this year’s Dongari Festival, we will develop it as an international brand of Maharashtra,” he said.
Festivals of this scale were earlier limited to cities like Pune and Mumbai, but this year’s festival attracted more than 1.8 lakh visitors, the minister said. “Paragliding, car safaris, fun fairs, food festivals, traditional Maharashtrian cuisine and carnival parades, as well as facilities similar to hill stations, have offered a unique experience to tourists. Our focus now is to promote rural tourism and attract international visitors.”
Mr. Desai said that to boost water tourism in Satara, three important boat tour destinations have been identified along the river banks and tenders will be floated shortly. The projects are expected to be completed within the next 18 months. Koyna Nagar, in collaboration with Tiger Zone and Forest Department, the district will also develop a tiger safari and jungle trekking. “Currently, nearly 80 percent of tourism is concentrated in urban areas. We aim to create local employment by expanding tourism in rural areas. Environmentally friendly development of our large forest areas will be ensured,” he said.
Mr. Desai added that promotional campaigns showcasing rural destinations will be launched globally as foreign tourists currently visit only well-known places. “Satara’s land and natural beauty are its real assets and our aim is to turn them into a global brand,” he said.
During his visit to Satara, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected and inaugurated various development works. Addressing a public meeting, Mr. Shinde said the Koyna Underwater Festival will be taken to the international stage. “Initiatives that will attract tourists from all over the world need to be implemented in rural areas,” he said.
He also highlighted efforts to promote group farming in Mahabaleshwar to increase farmers’ income. “We are making agriculture more profitable by encouraging the cultivation of saffron, coffee and bamboo. Bamboo is no longer neglected, we support it with subsidies. Our effort is to create employment opportunities in the villages so that young people do not have to migrate.”
Mr Shinde said the number of foreign tourists coming to the region has increased from 15 lakh to 37 lakh in 2022, while the overall number of tourists in the state has increased from 11 crore to 18 crore. He reiterated that the government will not take farmers’ land while developing New Mahabaleshwar. “Instead, we will increase its value so that farmers can benefit from it,” he said.
Following the strong response to the Koyana Daulat Dongari Mahotsav, the Deputy Prime Minister has directed that the festival be extended by three days. The Minister of Tourism also confirmed the decision, citing the intense influx of visitors.
