Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has inaugurated the first edition of Maharashtra International Travel Mart (MITM). The three day exhibition kickstatred on September 28 and will continue till September 30, 2015 at Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre, Goregaon in Mumbai. The exhibition was inaugurated by Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister,Government of Maharashtra. Other eminent dignitaries present during the inauguration were Prof. Ram Shinde, minister of state for tourism, home (rural), public health and marketing; Subhash Desai, minister of industries, Maharashtra State; Vidya Thakur, minister of state for women and child development; Gajanan Kirtikar, member of parliament; Swadhin Kshatriya, IAS, chief secretary, Maharashtra; Valsa Singh Nair, IAS, principal secretary, department of tourism and culture, Maharashtra State; Paraag Jaiin Nainuttia, IAS, managing director, MTDC.
Speaking about the event, Singh said, “Maharashtra International Travel Mart will act as a launch pad for the tourism industry in our state. This event will surely give a boost to the tourism segment and will generate more interest amongst the foreign tourists. With vast tourism assets at disposal, it is an opportune time for the State to win a prominent position in a global tourism league. This is possible only when we build and expand a strong tourism buyer and seller network within the state, within the country and on a global level. MITM is an endeavour to bring in the maximum number of tourism buyers and sellers on a single platform and empower them to explore economic growth opportunities in Maharashtra’s tourism sector. We are sure to see a number of partnership, tie-ups happening among tour operators, hoteliers, travel agents. It will also pave the way to attract foreign investments in the sector.”
Nainuttia added, “MITM will help our dedicated campaign of ‘Unlimited Maharashtra’ to reach the next level on a global platform, as more buyers and sellers can witness the State’s tourism prospects. When the State is striving hard to ensure a fast-track growth in tourism sector, MITM will open up an array of economic opportunities for buyers and sellers that will strengthen the eco-system of the State’s tourism.”