Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards 2026 – Maharashtra Chapter Celebrates Excellence In Responsible Tourism

The Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards continue to spotlight initiatives that place communities, culture and conservation at the heart of tourism development, reinforcing Maharashtra’s growing leadership in responsible travel practices. The Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards 2026 – Maharashtra Chapter, organised in collaboration between Maharashtra Tourism and Outlook Group, was held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Nariman Point, Mumbai, on 10 February 2026. The ceremony brought together government leaders, conservationists, tourism professionals, cultural custodians and grassroots entrepreneurs to recognise and celebrate exemplary work in responsible tourism across the state.

The Awards received over 250 applications from across Maharashtra and recognised outstanding contributors across 11 categories, with a total of 33 awardees honoured for their exemplary work in advancing sustainable and community-driven tourism.

Responsible Tourism In Maharashtra

Dr B. N. Patil, IAS, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, was among the senior officials present at the ceremony. Emphasising the state’s commitment to sustainable tourism development, he stated, “Making Maharashtra a centre of responsible tourism is a collective effort. When government, communities, and stakeholders work together with a shared vision, sustainable and inclusive tourism becomes achievable.”

The proceedings were opened by Indranil Roy, CEO, Outlook Group, who set the tone for the day by outlining Outlook’s long-standing vision for responsible tourism in India. He remarked, “As Indians, responsible tourism is already a part of our DNA. The real task is to strengthen its identity, deepen its resonance, and bring this conversation closer to people. When tourism grows with communities, culture, and care at its core, it reflects the true spirit of Bharat.”

Shri Neelesh R. Gatne, IAS, Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, addressed the gathering and spoke about the urgent need to integrate sustainability into everyday tourism practices. He said, “Our responsibility towards the planet is immense. By adopting responsible practices in our daily lives, we can protect biodiversity, preserve culture, and safeguard our future.”

A keynote address titled “When Conservation Becomes Development: Rethinking Heritage Tourism” was delivered by Ratish Nanda, Indian Conservation Architect and Projects Director of Aga Khan Trust for Culture, India. His address focused on how heritage conservation, when community-led and carefully designed, can become a powerful engine for sustainable development.

The programme featured two thematic panel discussions that explored key dimensions of responsible tourism in Maharashtra.

The Western Ghats Imperative: Balancing Biodiversity, Tourism And Communities

The first panel, titled “The Western Ghats Imperative: Balancing Biodiversity, Tourism and Communities,” examined the ecological sensitivity of the Western Ghats and the importance of community participation in conservation-linked tourism. The panel included Anurag Karekar, Nature Educator and Co-founder, Naturalist Explorers; Parag Rangnekar, Owner, Mrugaya Nature Retreat and Director, Mrugaya Xpeditions; and Chandan Bhadsavle, Director, Saguna Baug. The session was moderated by Nishtha Pandey, Content Lead, Outlook Responsible Tourism.

Food As Heritage Tourism: Preserving Maharashtra’s Indigenous Flavours

The second panel, “Food as Heritage Tourism: Preserving Maharashtra’s Indigenous Flavours,” highlighted the role of culinary traditions, indigenous ingredients and local knowledge systems in building sustainable tourism models. The discussion featured Kurush Dalal, Archaeologist, Historian and Culinary Anthropologist; Rushina Munshaw-Ghildiyal, Author, Culinary Consultant and Culinary Chronicler; and was moderated by Sukanya Chatterjee, Project Lead, Outlook Responsible Tourism.

Additional Highlights From The Event

Earlier in the day, Pandurang Taware, Founder of Baramati Agri Tourism, presented insights into the agritourism model and demonstrated how farm-based tourism can generate rural livelihoods while preserving agricultural heritage.

The ceremony also included a cultural performance celebrating Maharashtra’s folk traditions and an address by Ms Naveli Deshmukh, Youth Ambassador of Maharashtra Tourism, who underscored the importance of youth participation in sustaining cultural and environmental stewardship.

The event concluded with a thank you note delivered by Shri Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, General Manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, who expressed gratitude to the participants, jury members, partners and tourism practitioners whose work continues to strengthen responsible tourism in the state.

The Winners

Sustainable Leadership: Homestays

• Gold: Baapbeti Farm, Khed

• Silver: Sundar Art Homestay, Pinguli, Sindhudurg

• One to Watch: Konkanai Agro Tourism, Sindhudurg

Sustainable Leadership: BnBs & Guesthouses / Small Hotels

• Gold: Rustic Holidays, Ratnagiri

• Silver: Raan Guhagar, Ratnagiri

• One to Watch: Utopia Farmstay, Nashik

Sustainable Leadership: Hotels

• Gold: Forest Escapes Koyna, Satara

• Silver: Amanora The Fern Pune, Series by Marriott

Sustainable Leadership: Farm Stay

• Gold: Farm of Happiness Agro Tourism Homestay, Ratnagiri

• Silver: Sāvé Farms, Rampur, Palghar

• One to Watch: Bagayatdar Farmstay, Zholambe, Sindhudurg

Sustainability Champions: Cultural Ambassadors

• Gold: B Spot Productions, Mumbai

• Silver: A S Dhol Events Organisers, Mumbai

• One to Watch: Natraj Academy of Performing Arts, Mumbai

Sustainable Leadership: Travel Enterprises

• Gold: Mumbai Dream Tours, Mumbai

• Silver: Nagpuri, Nagpur

• One to Watch: Safar Chhand – Parakta Discoveries Pvt. Ltd., Pune

Sustainable Leadership: Adventure Operators

• Gold: Explores Koyna, Satara

• Silver: JP Adventure Pulse Tours Pvt. Ltd., Pune

Sustainable Experiences: Food

• Gold: Masque, Mumbai

• Silver: The Western Routes, Pune

• One to Watch: Igoreyaa by Jevayla Ye, Palghar; Sitabai Ganpat Kirve, Pune

Sustainable Leadership: Wildlife Conservation

• Gold: Habitat Conservation Multipurpose Society (Dinesh Khate), Chandrapur

• Silver: RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare), Mumbai

Sustainable Leadership: Nature Conservation

• Gold: Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF), Pune

• Silver: Vanashakti, Mumbai

• One to Watch: FORREST (Forest Regeneration and Environmental Sustainability Trust), Pune

Sustainability Champions: Grassroots Heroes

• Gold: Sanjay and Shweta Naik, Ratnagiri; Deepa Krishnan, Mumbai

• Silver: Open Water Amateur Aquatics Federation, Mumbai

• One to Watch: Masira Shaikh, Mumbai; Dilasa Janvikas Pratishthan, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards continue to spotlight initiatives that place communities, culture and conservation at the heart of tourism development, reinforcing Maharashtra’s growing leadership in responsible travel practices.