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Maharashtra CM launches boating club, adventure sports

News Desk

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has launched several initiatives of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) recently to push tourism in the state. The projects include a new boating club, facilities for skydiving and adventure sports, tie-up with leading online travel companies to boost MTDC properties on the portals, among others. Thackeray, during the launch held at Varsha bungalow, said the state has a wide variety of tourist destinations to attract domestic and international tourists, which will boost the state’s economy and provide employment. The tourism department, in presence of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray, Minister of State for Tourism Aditya Tatkare, launched a new boat club in Ratnagiri district’s Ganpatipule, signed MoUs with M/s SkyHigh India to start skydiving and adventure sport activities in Sindhudurg district. The MTDC launched a new website as well.

While speaking on the inauguration, Thackeray said, “The state too has several destinations that can go on world map. Like Amsterdam’s Tulip Garden, we can also develop tourism around flowers on Kaas Pathar in Satara district.”

Aaditya Thackeray stated, “Tourists worldwide are in for a pleasant surprise as we continue to enhance MTDC’s user experience. Following the enthusiastic reception of Nashik Boat Club, Ganpatipule Boat Club is set to welcome tourists with thrilling aquatic sports and charming beach shacks.” The MTDC also signed the MoU with online travel companies Make My Trip and Goibibo to promote MTDC properties on the portal, and an agreement was inked with Maharashtra State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Pune, to train MTDC staff in hospitality and service. Thackeray also inaugurated a refurbished at MTDC Sinhagad Resort, giving the visitors a chance to explore the glory of Sinhagad Fort.

Minister of Tourim & Culture held a review meeting with Ministers & Senior Officials of the North Eastern States on development of Tourism and propagation of the Culture of the Region at Guwahati, Assam.

Quick and complete vaccination going to race ahead, Director UNWTO

Suman Billa

Director UNTWO

While addressing the virtual plenary session of the 'Second Travel, Tourism & Hospitality e-Conclave organised by FICCI, Suman Billa, Director, United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO), Technical Cooperation & Silk Road Development, said that countries that can achieve quick and complete vaccination are going to race ahead and kickstart their economies sooner. Countries that are prioritizing vaccination will reach optimum level of production sooner. This will widen economic disparities across the world.

While further elaborating on this, Billa said that COVID will level playing fields across the globe and vaccination will play an important role in this aspect. "Whether I am in Sri Lanka, India, or any part of the world, if I had my two shots of the vaccine and I have a certificate to prove it, I should be able to travel. There is going to be some amount of asymmetry on this front. From an Indian perspective, therefore, what we need to do is to well and truly open up travel, especially for those who are vaccinated. For international travellers, we need to jettison the principle of reciprocity.”