Rajeev Kale

President & Country Head - Leisure Travel, MICE Thomas Cook India

RUNNING ON AUTOMOBILE

As per Indian Brand Equity Foundation, Maharashtra accounts for approximately 35.1 per cent of the country's automobile output by value. The state has a well-developed social, physical and industrial infrastructure. Apart from four international and seven domestic airports, the state has two major and 53 minor ports. From a hospitality point of view Lonavala, Alibaugh, Karjat are the destinations that have seen a lot of footfalls, whereas cities like Pune and Nashik have been promoted as leisure and MICE destinations.

INTERSTATE TRANSPORT

As per the government policies, vehicles are required to have All India Interstate Permits. Apart from this, any heavy equipment which needs to be transported from one city to another within the state, needs to pay octroi.

LEVERAGING MICE

Maharashtra is looking to leverage this and is focusing on MICE tourism. The government plans to set up a Promotion Board in the state to maximise potential. Conrad Pune and Radisson Karjat are two recently launched properties that cater to MICE enquiries.

LIQUOR POLICY

In Maharashtra, alcohol is freely available across all hotels and resorts. As per the policy, the properties are required to have proper liquor licenses to serve during the events or at personal parties. Recently, Supreme Court passed an order to ban 150 liquor shops along all national and state highways.

THE TALE OF TIER 2

The connectivity from major hubs like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad through flights to reach to tier 2 cities, is now economically viable. To facilitate big ticket events it is vital that the hospitality infrastructure witnesses more development.

VINEYARDS FOR MICE

The city of Nashik has several vineyards offering great getaway options and a chance to hold events in a unique way.

Apart from 4 international and 7 domestic airports, the state has 2 major & 53 minor ports