New tourism chief wants to take state to the world: Paraag Jainn Nainuttia

What are your immediate plans for MTDC
Maharastra state is fortunate to have various natural tourist destinations which other states lacks of. We will fill the gap where there is a lacuna. Most importantly we have plans to popularize all segments through Public Private Partnership (PPP). The PPP model will boost us to have more destinations available for local, national and International tourist.

Are you trying to tie up with any other entity to enhance tourism?
Yes we are trying to use leading tour operators of National and international repute, leading hotels and logistic groups to be associated with us. MTDC will work as facilitator in co-ordination with private operators. It is difficult for any one to enhance tourism without private participation. This participation would increase our tourist flow as we have best of the venues of International interest to explore. I am sure it will help us generating good revenues and other partners also would be benefitted, as they have more places on their platters.

What types of promotions are you contemplating?
We are contemplating on various segments of tourism like, wine testing and crushing, boating, tiger sanctuary and sea plane, para gliding and adventure sports to name a few. We have best wineyards in Nashik which produces world class wines. We have plans to invite tourists for wine testing and witnessing grapes crushing in leading wineyards during the crushing season. We are trying to tie up with Club Mahindra for overnight stay for tourists. We also envisage to promote tiger sanctuary of Tadoba nad Chikaldhara and also exploring boating in Gangapur dam of nashik and sea plane activities to name few. Para gliding in western ghats is also on our mind.

The Bollywood of India based in Mumbai but why there is no Brand Ambassador from it, whereas other states have brand Ambassadors?
There were some delays in this regards, it does not mean we are not contemplating on it. Appointment process of brand Ambassador for MTDC are on the advanced stage.We have kept our options open to have popular brand ambassador either from Bollywood or leading sports person. There is a craze of Bollywood as well as sport personailities to endorse any brand all over, so we are not limiting ourselve to just Bollywood. We would choose the best to promote our brand.

Where are your plans to land sea planes?
The sea plane culture is globally popular and most sought after mode of transportation for shorter distances. The sea planes not only cut short the distance but it also brings tourists who are having restricted time to visit various destinations. We have permitted to land sea planes at Gangapur dam in Nashik. Now we are looking at numerous destinations to make sea plane landing that includes Lonavala, Shirdi, Tarkarli, Srivardhan and Aamby Valley.

Are there any more alternatives for promoting tourism of Maharashtra?
First and foremost we will upgrade our website through which tourists can get accurate desirable informations. We are also in the process of launching mobile apps which can provide information to tourists on their finger tips and publishing quarterly magazine. This magazine would be available on book stalls and can be subscribedalso. We would sell these magzines to hotels, airlines and guest houses on subsidized rates all over India. It also would be made available in Indian Embassies and consulates across the globe. This would help us tourists know more about Maharashtra tourism. We are also planning to print pamphlets that could be distributed in tourism evnts and fairs, put banners and hoardings at prominent places including various airports of India.

Any plans for floatel?
We are launching our first floatel with private participation at Bandra jetty in next fortnight. The ground work has been already completed and finishing task of launch is going on war footing level. We have extensive plans to launch floatel in almost all our sea shore of Mumbai and other prominent places of Maharashtra. The sea shore area in Mumbai includes Chowpaty in south Mumbai, Juhu beach, Versova beach, Madh and Marve Island to name few. The inclusion of floatel would be a attractive option for tourists from all over.