Inside Maharashtra’s Tourism Policy: Sanjay Khandare On Women’s Initiatives, Smart MICE Hubs And River Cruises
What are the provisions in the Aai policy that are beneficial to women?
The “Aai Policy” focuses on women’s entrepreneurship development, infrastructure for women, safety of women tourists, customised products and concessions, and overall tourism development. To promote women entrepreneurs, interest subsidies of up to 12 percent are provided on loans of up to INR 15 lakh for women-owned tourism businesses, for a period of seven years or until INR 4.5 lakh, whichever is earlier.
Women guides, drivers, tour operators, and other employees will be included in government insurance schemes, with premiums paid for five years. Women tourists will receive a 20 percent discount on MTDC tour packages and 50 percent off online bookings at MTDC resorts from March 1–8, as well as on 22 additional days each year. MTDC properties will provide stalls to women’s self-help groups, and special facilities are being offered for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and mothers with young children.
Together, these provisions position Maharashtra as the first state to integrate gender inclusivity into tourism policy at both economic and experiential levels.
How is Maharashtra ensuring quality standards in convention venues to compete with global peers?
Maharashtra is raising the bar for convention venue standards by focusing on technology, sustainability, and inclusivity. All new and upgraded venues are required to have digital infrastructure, including high-speed Wi-Fi, advanced conference equipment, EV charging stations, and real-time surveillance control rooms to support international-level events.
Sustainability is promoted through mandatory Swachhata Green Leaf or Travel for LiFE certifications. Venues must enforce bans on single-use plastics, implement optimised waste management and recycling systems, and install energy-efficient lighting, clean water vending systems, and environmentally appropriate landscaping. Location-based incentives reward compliance with green building norms and low-impact design.
Inclusivity is ensured through mandatory barrier-free access, accessible restrooms, dedicated seating for senior citizens, women-friendly amenities, and multilingual audio-visual guides. All venues must comply with universal access and gender-sensitivity guidelines. Special task forces and ‘Tourism Mitra’ personnel are trained to assist diverse visitors.
Maharashtra is also strengthening its Smart Tourism Infrastructure through dedicated business-event hubs, including the newly established Maharashtra Convention Bureau (MCB), which centralises event facilitation across Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik. This network, supported by world-class venues such as the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, enhances the state’s ability to host global-scale conventions. By adopting global benchmarks and digital integration, Maharashtra is positioning itself as India’s most future-ready MICE destination.
What steps has the Maharashtra Government taken to promote cruise tourism and river tourism?
The Maharashtra Government has undertaken several initiatives to promote cruise and river tourism. With over 720 kilometres of coastline along the Arabian Sea and Mumbai serving as a major travel hub, Maharashtra is positioning itself as a key cruise tourism destination.
To strengthen coastal tourism, the state is developing multiple tourism jetties at locations such as Veldur, Kashid, Arnala, Janjira, Padmadurg, Suvarnadurg, Underi, and Durgadi. These projects aim to improve access to coastal towns including Alibaug, Murud-Janjira, Ganpatipule, Tarkarli, and Dapoli.
For river tourism, the state plans to include the Sardar Sarovar stretch from Nandurbar to the Statue of Unity in a luxury river cruise project and develop cruises on the Narmada, Godavari, Vashishti, Savitri, Krishna, and Tapi rivers. Dams and inland water bodies will also be utilised for small-scale cruises and floating houseboats, promoting year-round eco-tourism, agrotourism, and cultural experiences.
The state is collaborating with the national Sagarmala Programme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, under which cruise tourism, coastal jetties, and ROPAX connectivity are key infrastructure projects in Maharashtra. The Tourism Policy 2024 explicitly positions river cruising as a niche segment, supported by fiscal incentives and dedicated infrastructure.
All cruise and river projects are aligned with Blue Economy principles and sustainable coastal and waterway development, reinforcing Maharashtra’s commitment to preserving marine and riverine biodiversity while expanding its tourism ecosystem.
How is the Maharashtra Government planning to achieve its target of creating 18 lakh employment opportunities through tourism?
The Maharashtra Government has set a target of generating 18 lakh (1.8 million) direct and indirect employment opportunities by strengthening the tourism ecosystem. As per the Government Resolution issued by the Department of Tourism, this initiative forms part of the state’s long-term vision to position tourism as a major driver of economic growth.
The resolution outlines strategic measures such as developing tourism circuits, promoting rural and agrotourism, enhancing heritage and eco-tourism destinations, and supporting private investment through Public-Private Partnerships.
Skill development is a core pillar of the policy. The Tourism Policy 2024 includes incentives for skill-development programmes in hospitality, foreign languages, and event management, along with support for certified training courses.
The state is aligning its initiatives with national skill missions under Skill India, collaborating with NSDC partners for industry-aligned curricula and placements, and working with the Maharashtra State Skill Development Society and hospitality institutes to expand training across districts. Programmes such as the NaMo Tourism Skill Program (announced in 2025) aim to train thousands of local youth in hospitality and tour guiding through recognised institutes.
By combining policy reforms, infrastructure development, and certified skilling initiatives backed by national and state bodies, Maharashtra aims to position tourism among the top five employment-generating sectors by 2030.
What initiatives has Maharashtra undertaken to promote niche tourism areas such as Medical and Wellness Tourism, Caravan Parks, and Agro-Tourism?
Through the Tourism Policy 2024, Maharashtra is strategically focusing on high-value niche segments such as Medical and Wellness Tourism, Caravan Tourism, and Agro-Tourism to attract quality visitors and generate sustainable income across the state.
The policy also supports Film Tourism by promoting Maharashtra as a film-friendly destination, streamlining clearances, and developing infrastructure such as the Nagpur Film City. This leverages the state’s creative economy while strengthening destination marketing.
Large-scale heritage conservation programmes are underway to restore temples, forts, stepwells, and other heritage assets. District-level Destination Management Organisations are being established to convert restored sites into structured visitor experiences with improved connectivity and amenities.
These niche segments are being developed with sustainability and community participation at their core, ensuring local employment generation and year-round tourism. Together, these initiatives aim to transform Maharashtra from a sightseeing destination into an experience-driven global tourism hub.
