The Maharashtra government recently announced its tourism policy for 2024 which aims to generate 1.8 lakh jobs and attract INR 1 lakh crore in investment.
The policy focuses on upgrading and developing infrastructure facilities to double the number of tourists over the next 10 years. This will create direct and indirect jobs in both rural and urban areas.
A special task force called Tourism Mitra Dal will maintain safe tourism. The Maharashtra Security Force will appoint this Dal.
The policy will create 50 sustainable tourism sites across the state. It focuses on rural tourism, adventure tourism, spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, wellness tourism, and culture and heritage tourism. Here are the five main areas of focus:
1. Workcation: The policy will promote the concept of "workcation". This idea combines work and vacation. It emerged during the COVID-19 lockdown. Many people, especially from the IT sector, worked remotely from vacation spots.
2. Coastal tourism: The policy will also bring improvements to coastal and riverine tourism. It includes initiatives to increase cruise tourism on rivers like Godavari and Narmada. The policy will also include inland reservoirs in the Konkan, Nashik, Pune, and Nagpur regions.
3. Skills and Art: For skill development, the policy provides incentives for training programs in tourism and hospitality. It also focuses on information and communication technology empowerment. The revival of rare arts and cultures is another focus.
4. Rural Tourism: Rural development is a major goal. Initiatives will support regional festivals, art, food, and culture. The policy document mentions the promotion of rural tourism and homestays. The policy will revive artistic and cultural traditions.
5. Special Events: Special events are also part of the plan. Monsoon and Ganesh festivities will be promoted to increase tourism. Key towns like Nagpur will host celebrations based on the Mumbai Festival model.
The policy will also offer several incentives. These include GST waivers, power rate savings, and stamp tax reductions. Tourism projects will be divided into A, B, and C levels based on size. The policy also suggests cash incentives for creative items. Micro, small, and medium-sized businesses will benefit from these financial advantages.
Here are the most important incentives for the policy:
1. Up to INR 20 crore or 20% of qualifying capital investment may be used for log cabins, cottages, youth clubs, hotels, and motels.
2. Restaurants, food courts, food kiosks, MICE centres, golf courses, unity malls, cultural centres, amusement parks, multiplexes, handicraft stores, theatres, and art galleries can receive 15% of the initial capital investment, up to INR 15 crore.
3. Reimbursement of SGST ranging from 50% to 100%, electricity duty/tariff reductions from 50% to 100%.
4. Interest subventions on loans between INR 5 crore and INR 25 crore of up to 5%.
5. Extra FSI of up to 4 in the rest of Maharashtra and 3 to 5 in Mumbai.
Share
Tweet
