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Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
Tourists flock to Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani to soak in the Maharashtra Tourism Festival
1 2 Kolhapur: Maharashtra Tourism Festival is attracting visitors in large numbers to the twin hill stations of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani with several events and activities lined up. The festival was inaugurated on Friday. On Saturday, the second day of the festival, tourism minister Shambhuraj Desai inaugurated 'Carnival Parade' from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Chowk in Mahabaleshwar. MTDC general manager Chandrasekhar Jaiswal, senior regional manager Hanumant Hede, Wai provincial officer Rajendra Kachare, regional manager Deepak Harne, Mahabaleshwar Tehsildar Tejaswini Patil and CO Yogesh Patil were present. Besides, a fun run, cyclothon, helicopter ride, farm visit, floating market, temple visit, carnival procession, display of forts and ammunition, cultural event, laser show, helicopter ride,and other events were also organised. Renowned flutist Amar Oak presented Morning Ragaaz leaving tourists and local citizens spellbound. People were seen hopping around the hill stations, making the most of the festival. Sumit Oswal, a tourist at Tent City from Pimpri-Chinchwad, said, "Visit to Tent City gave the Run of Kacch vibes. It was a great experience witnessing the colourful procession, exhibition of forts, floating market, and laser show. If we knew there was so much to witness, I would have planned my stay for all three days here. It was a great experience for me and my family on Saturday." The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has organised a three-day Maharashtra Tourism Festival to promote the state's tourist destination at both national and international levels. Another tourist, Sumedha Kulkarni from Baramati, said, "Visiting Mahabaleshwar has always been special, and this time with the Maharashtra Tourism Festival, our journey became a lot more memorable. So much to do and so little time is what I can say about this festival. At a few places, we faced traffic congestion. On Sunday, more tourists will arrive, and the administration needs to plan accordingly." The festival includes cultural programs by various renowned artists, forts and vintage ammunition exhibition, food festival, adventure sports activities, children's workshops, helicopter rides, drone shows, food stalls, flea market, visits to temples and other tourist spots, photography workshops, floating market at Venna Lake, laser show, yoga session and morning ragas - instrumental music, fun runs and cyclothon, lectures regarding opportunities in water tourism, biodynamic farming, Tourism Policy of Maharashtra, Carnival Parade, Fun Street, Boat exhibition, etc. The festival will conclude on Sunday.
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Indian Express
Maharashtra's Mahabaleshwar beckons visitors to experience first-ever ‘Honey Bee Tourism'
The hill town of Mahabaleshwar has decked up to offer visitors an experience in beekeeping as part of 'Honey Bee Tourism', a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Maharashtra government as part of the Maha Tourism Festival 2025. The three-day event by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) began on May 2. The tour will include visits to the Honey Directorate of Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board in Mahabaleshwar, where tourists will learn about the state's modern beekeeping operations dating back to 1946. At the Apiculture Institute in the hill town, a key player in the beekeeping industry in the state, tourists will get hands-on experience with live honeycomb demonstrations. They can also register for guided tours of the State Honey Directorate, the MTDC said in a statement. The Apiculture Institute, established on May 1, 1954, has been conducting training, research, and honey processing. 'This initiative showcases our commitment to promoting sustainable tourism while highlighting Maharashtra's lesser-known industries,' said Manoj Kumar Suryavanshi, Managing Director of MTDC. As part of Honey Bee Tourism, which is aimed at providing awareness on apiculture and nature-based experience, tours have been arranged to Honey Park, Madhuban (bee garden), a museum, and a modern honey processing unit. At the Honey Park, visitors can explore informative displays about beekeeping as a livelihood, officials said. The Madhuban section offers a chance to see live honeycomb colonies, and allows tourists to take selfies while holding honeycombs. The museum showcases honey production techniques and bee biology, while the processing unit demonstrates how raw honey is transformed into the final product. Another key feature of the initiative is a visit to Manghar village, also known as the 'Honey Village, ' located nine kilometres from Mahabaleshwar on the Tapola road. This model village features bee-friendly plants along the approach road, personal beekeeping operations run by villagers, and the North Court Point, which offers scenic views of Makarand Gad, Pratapgad, and the Koyna River. The segment also includes educational components, with experts demonstrating honey purity testing and explaining the health benefits of organic honey. 'Maha Tourism Festival 2025' is being organised under Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai and Indranil Naik, Minister of State for Tourism, and Atul Patne, Tourism Secretary. Those interested must register in advance through the official website, officials said.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- The Hindu
Maharashtra to establish ‘Tourism Security Force' at popular destinations
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Maharashtra government has established a 'Tourism Security Force (Paryatan Mitra)' to boost tourism and prioritise tourist safety in the State. Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai said he aims to provide tourists a safe and secure experience through this initiative. The Maharashtra Tourism Security Force will be started on a pilot basis during the Mahabaleshwar festival in Satara district, which will be held from May 1 to May 4. The Tourism Department will appoint tourism police on a contractual basis to create a sense of security among the tourists coming to the State. Mr. Desai said, 'The force will also provide necessary information about the culture, history, tourist places, laws, rules and tourism, promoting sustainable tourism.' The Tourism Department has directed the State Security Board and Maharashtra Ex-Servicemen Corporation Ltd. (MESCO) to submit the details of their employees as soon as possible. 'The launching of the Tourism Security Force will give a new lease of life to tourism and, at the same time, create new employment opportunities at local places,' stated Mr. Desai. The force will undergo special training to guide and protect tourists and have modern technology and a coordinated system to respond immediately in emergencies. Facilities like CCTV, helpline and an immediate response system will be available at tourist destinations. Principal Secretary Atul Patne also mentioned that this is a positive step towards creating a security shield for tourists. 'It will increase the influx of tourists towards tourism and provide economic benefits to local communities,' said Mr. Patne. Mahabaleshwar Festival The pilot project will be implemented during the Mahabaleshwar Festival, where 25 personnel will be appointed through the Office of the Satara District Superintendent of Police. These personnel will be provided with the necessary training for the safety of tourists and as per the planning of the festival. This force will remain operational from 25 April to 31 August 2025. Satara Superintendent of Police will appoint senior officers to ensure personnel perform their duties appropriately. The expenditure incurred for this initiative will be borne by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation in coordination with the Maharashtra State Security Corporation and the Office of the Satara District Superintendent of Police. After the successful implementation on a pilot basis at the Mahabaleshwar Festival, a 'Maharashtra Tourism Security Force' will be set up for the entire Maharashtra. Under this initiative, a target of ₹1 lakh crore private investment and 18 lakh direct and indirect employment generation has been set in the tourism sector.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra to get Tourism Security Force
MUMBAI: Following the recent terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam, the state government has decided to set up a Maharashtra Tourism Security Force to be stationed at major sites. The force will be launched on a pilot basis during the Mahabaleshwar festival set to be held at the Satara hill station from May 2 to 4. Personnel for the force will be recruited from the Maharashtra State Security Corporation. In this pilot phase, the force will be operational until August 31. The first batch of 25 personnel will be deputed at Mahabaleshwar. Senior officers will be appointed by the Satara district superintendent of police to monitor and oversee the force. The expenditure will be borne by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), tourism minister Shambhuraj Desai said on Monday.
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Indian Express
Maharashtra to set up tourism security force
In the wake of the terror attack on tourists near Pahalgam in J&K, the Maharashtra government on Monday announced to establish a 'Maharashtra Tourism Security Force (Tourism Mitra)', which will be tasked with the safety of tourists visiting the state. State Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai said, 'This force will be deployed for the safety of tourists. The personnel will undergo special training so that they can guide and protect tourists.' 'The 'Maharashtra Tourism Security Force' will be launched on a pilot basis during the Mahabaleshwar Festival in Satara to be held from May 1 to 4. In order to create a sense of security in the minds of tourists coming to the state and to provide necessary information about the state's culture, history, tourist places, laws, rules and tourism, the tourism security force will be appointed on a contractual basis,' Desai added. In order to set up the force, the Tourism department has directed the Maharashtra State Security Corporation and Maharashtra Ex-Servicemen Corporation Ltd to submit information about their employees as soon as possible. Around 25 personnel will be appointed by the Maharashtra State Security Corporation through the Satara district superintendent of police office. These personnel will be given necessary training for ensuring the safety of tourists. The expenditure incurred on this initiative will be borne by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation in coordination with the Maharashtra State Security Corporation and the Satara district SP office. Tourism Secretary Atul Patne said the step is meant to create a safe environment at tourist destinations. 'The force will have trained personnel, modern technology and a well-coordinated system, which will react immediately in emergency situations,' he said.
