World Tourism Day

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) celebrated ‘World Tourism Day’ on 27th September 2018 with UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) with an aim to promote ‘Tourism and the Digital Transformation.’ This was intended to emphasize the necessity for investment in the latest digital technologies and develop entrepreneurship in the travel and tourism sector. The esteemed speakers Mr. Tarun Joukani, Managing Director, STAAH highlighted his views and thoughts on the role the technology and Mr. Munaf Kapadia, CEO, The Bohari Kitchen emphasized on how experiential tourism especially the home dining can boost the tourism prospects in the state.

In order to stay equipped with the global trends and growth in the digital sector, MTDC is constantly focusing on Content, Search Engine Plan and Online Destination Promotion by developing online goodwill through social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. The objective of each social media platform is to engage with followers; keep them connected with developments and interact with people. Additionally, Paryatan Parv is celebrated across the state from 16th September 2018 to 27th September 2018. The idea is to spin around the importance of tourism among all stakeholders such as hoteliers, resort operators, tour operators and other trades to support the tourism sector in the state.

Similarly, to celebrate the true spirit of World Tourism Day, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has announced the ‘Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign’ on the vision of Hon’rable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, carried out from 15th September 2018 to 2nd October 2018 at the several destinations across the state in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Ratnagiri, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Amravati and Ratnagiri.

Commenting on the occasion, Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism & (EGS), Government of Maharashtra said, “I am pleased to celebrate World Tourism Day with the theme ‘Tourism and the Digital Transformation.’ It is crucial to adapt the digital transformation taking place across the globe. I believe digital platforms offer high level of engagement across different demographics and geographies which will help to connect and educate travellers from all over the world. The association in the recent past with Airbnb, Etihad, Jet Airways and Ola has assisted us to meet the growing demands of the travellers and to overcome the challenges faced earlier. Our sole aim is to provide the best possible experience for the travellers through the digital initiative.”

Shri Vijay Kumar Gautam (IAS), Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra added, “The World Tourism Day 2018 theme highlights the objective of Tourism and Digital transformation across the globe. The social media platforms are cost-effective as they create larger connectivity and visibility among the various stakeholders. Travel and Tourism companies are getting benefits through this, so we are also developing this aspect. Interactive website and Social media are developed for tech-savvy commuters who will have all the essential information with a click of a button.”

Commenting on the occasion, Shri Suhas Diwase, (IAS), Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said, “The travelling sector has gone through a paradigm shift, where the travellers are looking for a new experience every time they travel. The World Tourism Day’ 2018 theme emphasizes the importance of digital transformation which will help the travellers to create a better experience with a click of a button. At MTDC, we always try to match up to ongoing trend and create a unique experience for the travellers whenever they visit Maharashtra.”

Since its foundation, MTDC has been at the forefront of development and maintenance of various tourist sites and at present owns and maintains resorts in these regions. To aide tourists, MTDC has opened information centres at all popular destination, which provide travel information about various tourist spots in Maharashtra along with travel maps, Maharashtra tourism guides and travel books at affordable prices.

Maharashtra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India offering a diverse range of experiences from pristine beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, natural caves, waterfalls, to imposing forts, colourful festivals, ancient pilgrimage shrines, museums, and historical monuments. For further details, please visit: http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/

 

And We Walked Away: A Review

Subrat Saurabh has come up with another gem with “And We Walked Away”, this time in English. After reading “Kuch Woh Pal”, I thought this young engineer turned author brought so much to the table for Hindi readers with his lucid writing and excellent command over Hindi that too in verse. Touched upon so many untouched aspects of life, Kuch Woh Pal was like a breeze of fresh air amidst hordes of English best sellers.

Yes, his “And We Walked Away” did not disappoint…today’s campus life is well portrayed. It is the story of very practical about love, Naina and hopelessly in love Abhimanyu. This will certainly strike a chord with the younger generation who are currently living campus life or have recently been through campus life. The book begins with well-known author Abhimanyu returning to his Alma Mater after a decade and minutely notices changes taken place all over the place. He goes into flashback mode and reminisces love of his life – Naina, his friends, faculty, parents, grandparents and life on campus. Subrat has minutely captured the nuances of his life, Naina’s life, his friends’ lives that it read like an autobiographical account of the author.

Abhimanyu’s rush to propose Naina and ways and means adopted by him makes him the poster boy of GenNext who is in a rush to do everything. After a spade of failed tricks to impress and convince Naina, a trick finally works, which is an interesting twist, but does it really work? You need to read the entire book to know the end.

The trails and turbulence provided by Dev and Aarush as friends in his life are interesting and keeps you hooked throughout. You should have ample time to read this book as you would not like to leave it without reading the climax.

Our generation may not relate much to the book, as times were really different then, but yes we could catch the glimpse of what our children would be going through in these times. Abhimanyu’s parents and grandfather are true representatives of their generation, particularly from North India. Their pearls of wisdom are big takeaways from the book.

Indeed, it is a heart-warming tale of love and friendship, told in a simple manner, keeping the suspense alive all through. The story revolved around three friends in an Engineering College with love stories being the mainstay in their lives.

Subrat Saurabh is the author of the bestseller Kuch Woh Pal. He is popularly known as ChickenBiryani on social media. What to say about his popularity across mainstream media and on social media as well.

Emerging as a promising author on India’s literary canvas who is proficient in both languages – Hindi & English, a rare feat indeed!

Book pre-ordered on Amazon, delivered promptly in excellent condition.

Published by notionpress.

MTDC supports Lit-O-Fest 2018 in London

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation supported the Lit-O-Fest 2018 in London which provides a platform to emerging and award-winning talent in the field of literature, art and culture.

: Smt. Smita GLK Parikh, Lit-O-Fest Director; Smt. Reeva R Jadeja, Awardee; Shri Mahendra Sinh Jadeja, Li-O-Fest International Advisory; Shri Pankaj Dubey, Author; Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism; Shri.Vijay Kumar Gautam, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra;Shri Anup Jalota, Renowned Singer; Smt. Ekta Sodha, CEO, Cadmus Education

Lit-O-Fest 2018 London felicitated the legendary achievers by presenting them the Global Innovation Awards 2018 to the artists including Anup Jalota, Radhakrishna Pillai and Ekta Sodha among others at the British Parliament. Lit-O-Fest 2018 London has also launched 15 books written by teenagers aimed to encourage the budding talents across the globe.

MTDC successfully holds the first ever Tourism Road Show in China

With the rising tide of Chinese tourists visiting India, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) participated in Tourism Roadshow in China organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in association with Indian Embassy, Beijing and Consulate General of India in Guangzhou and Shanghai which was successfully concluded in major cities including Guangzhou, Wahun and Shanghai from 28th August 2018 to 2nd September 2018 in the presence of Shri K J Alphons Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Government of India, Shri Jaykumar Rawal Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Government of Maharashtra, Shri. Gautam Bambawale Indian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Vice Governor Hube region Wuhan, Mr Chang Hyei and other officials were present.

Tourism Roadshow in China consisted of buyer-seller meet, Incredible India seminar, a presentation on tourism promotion strategy by Chinese companies which focussed on why Chinese travellers should travel to India and the state of Maharashtra. The main aim of Tourism Roadshow in China is to draw Chinese travellers by highlighting the Buddhist circuits across the state and the country. Circuits in Aurangabad, Pune, Nashik, Mumbai, Satara & Kolhapur, Raigad and Nagpur were promoted to encourage Buddhist Tourism. In fact, MTDC preserves and encourages the rich heritage and Buddhist culture of the state of Maharashtra and influences them in the expansion of a world-class, sustainable site of distinction which enhances the lives of travellers and inhabitants alike.

China is one of the major outbound tourist market in the world, which generates 144 million outbound travellers. The association aims to tap the Chinese market and increasing Chinese tourist arrivals to India along with maximum footfall in Maharashtra. The objective of this roadshow was to create awareness of the state and several destinations among Chinese travellers.

Commenting on the occasion, Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said, “It’s a pleasure to perceive that the roadshow has received an overwhelming response from all the stakeholders across China. Maharashtra is already becoming a preferred destination among international travellers. The roadshow was a new experience for the members of both the nations, as it gave a prospect of exchanging new ideas and facts about our countries which will assist us to attract Chinese travellers. Maharashtra has successfully entered the Chinese Tourism market in the first of it’s kind road show and time has come to work to unlock the huge potential of Tourism and Maharashtra has all that a Chinese traveller would need right from heritage to contemporary state of the art accommodation units”

Shri Vijay Kumar Gautam (IAS), Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra added, “We have received an overwhelming response from China during this Tourism Roadshow.  MTDC has showcased various Buddhist circuits of the state and encouraged the Chinese travellers to explore Buddhist Tourism in the state of Maharashtra. This Roadshow has assisted us in strengthening our ties with China. It is just a beginning and I think a lot of things are yet to be explored, we look forward to inviting more Chinese travellers to our country in the years to come.”

 

MTDC and MCGM embrace international tourists for Ganesh festival in Mumbai

~ Special arrangements made for international travellers at Girgaum Chowpatty during Ganeshotsav. ~

With an aim to celebrate and promote the majestic Ganesh festival amongst travellers, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in association with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has made special arrangements for International Tourists at Girgaum Chowpatty in Mumbai. A pavilion with the capacity of more than 300 has been set up at for the venue for tourists to observe and participate in the spirit and cultural fervour of Maharashtra.

Looking at the overwhelming response received last year during the Ganesh Festival, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) are offering amenities like online registration facility, clean drinking water, mobile toilets, bus transport and refreshments.

With this alliance, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) aims to make Ganeshotsav an international event. Tourists can study and participate in various aspects of Indian culture and rituals. They also get to experience the 126-year-old heritage of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav.

Commenting on the occasion, Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said, “It is a pleasure to showcase the best of Maharashtra’s rich culture and tradition. The distinct pavilion has been set up for overseas travellers to perceive our beloved deity Ganesha. The pavilion will include amenities like clean drinking water, mobile toilets, bus transport along with refreshment. Tourists can see the Ganapati idols from all over the city at Girgaum Chowpatty which will certainly showcase the transformation in the celebrations over the years.”

Shri Vijay Kumar Gautam (IAS), Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Maharashtra added, “The objective is to position this festival on the global map, so we are inviting international tourists to participate through MCGM registration facilities for the Ganesh festival. We have made a separate pandal for the International tourists at Girgaum Chowpatty. The tourists can catch a glimpse of the Ganpati idols from across the city. I am certain that the festival will attract a large number of International visitors in the state of Maharashtra.”

Commenting on the occasion, Shri Suhas Diwase, Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) said, “Ganeshotsav is a festival that has always brought individuals from different cultures and communities together. Tourists from diverse countries come to experience the Ganesh Darshan Tour of MTDC every year. We are happy to associate with MCGM to accommodate International tourists and give them an experience of one of the most popular festivals in the state.”

For further details, please visit: http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/