MUMBAI: Maharashtra has begun work on setting up destination-level tourism governance bodies as part of a broader push to position the state as a globally competitive travel hub.At a high-level workshop held at Trident Hotel in Nariman Point earlier this month, the state government discussed the operationalisation of six Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) under the World Bank-funded MahaSTRIDE programme. The initiative is being implemented by Maharashtra Tourism, with the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) acting as the programme management unit.The workshop, attended by senior bureaucrats, tourism officials, hospitality stakeholders and policy experts, marked a key milestone under MahaSTRIDE’s Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI)-3, which focuses on establishing and operationalising six DMOs across Maharashtra.Speaking at the event, MITRA deputy chairman Dilip Walse Patil said Maharashtra’s tourism potential lies in its history, culture, spirituality, wildlife, coastline and heritage destinations, and stressed the need for professional and sustainable tourism management.“Maharashtra has immense tourism potential rooted in its rich history, culture, spirituality, wildlife, coastal landscapes and heritage destinations. Through Destination Management Organisations, the state aims to build a professionally managed and sustainable tourism ecosystem that enhances visitor experiences, strengthens stakeholder coordination and positions Maharashtra as a globally competitive tourism destination,” he said.The proposed DMOs are envisioned as institutional mechanisms to coordinate tourism development at the destination level, improve visitor experiences and generate sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.A key announcement during the workshop was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between MITRA and the ATITHI Foundation to support knowledge-sharing, stakeholder engagement and implementation partnerships within Maharashtra’s tourism ecosystem.A panel discussion on “Role of DMOs and USP of Maharashtra – You Will Find India Here” featured senior officials and tourism industry representatives, including MITRA chief executive officer Praveen Pardeshi, additional chief secretary (tourism) Sanjay Khandare, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation managing director Neelesh Gatne, MahaSTRIDE project director Aman Mittal and private sector tourism experts.Pardeshi said Maharashtra would need to move beyond conventional tourism promotion to emerge as a global destination.“Destination Management Organisations can serve as dedicated institutions that integrate tourism services, local stakeholders, branding, infrastructure, logistics and visitor experiences into a unified ecosystem,” he said.Khandare said the government’s approach was aimed at creating experience-driven and sustainable tourism ecosystems rather than merely promoting destinations.“Our focus is not only on promoting destinations, but on creating sustainable, experience-driven tourism ecosystems that benefit local communities, generate employment and enhance visitor experiences,” he said.Gatne said tourism development now required coordinated management and strong destination branding alongside infrastructure creation.Officials and panellists highlighted Maharashtra’s diverse tourism offerings, from heritage and pilgrimage circuits to coastal, wildlife, wellness and adventure tourism, and said the DMO framework could help strengthen destination branding, improve governance and support local employment.The workshop was attended by tourism department officials from Konkan, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik and Nagpur divisions, among others.The tourism and cultural affairs department, established in 2016, has been tasked with integrating cultural preservation and tourism development to enhance Maharashtra’s visibility as a travel destination while contributing to regional economic growth.
