Maharashtra’s new tourism policy

The new policy offers incentives for tourism projects and single-window clearance for all investments related to hospitality businesses.

The eagerly awaited tourism policy of Maharashtra has now been revealed. After months of preparedness, hard work, research and brainstorming the policy is expected to give a huge boost to the travel and hospitality industry in the state. It comes in effect from April 1, 2016. Valsa Nair Singh, Principal Secretary Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, who has been spearheading this, feels that the new policy will turn out to be the biggest launch pad for the state of Maharashtra to reach to the top spot in the list of destinations for travellers. She says, “Apart from the regular databases and guidelines which the policy will be looking at, we have announced a very big basket of incentives for tourism investments. There is a VAT subsidy of

There is a VAT subsidy of 50-75 per cent depending on different slabs for any investments in Maharashtra apart from the luxury tax exemption, entertainment tax exemption and stamp duty, etc. Valsa Nair Singh Principal Secretary Tourism & Cultural Affairs Government of Maharashtra

50-75 per cent depending on different slabs for any investments in Maharashtra apart from the luxury tax exemption, entertainment tax exemption, stamp duty, etc. We have also launched the single-window clearance for all investments related to hospitality businesses.”

The Maharashtra government has targeted an invest

` ment of about 30,000 crore through the new policy. According to Singh, the ‘Make In Maharashtra’ investment seminar held during the ‘Make In India’ conclave in Mumbai saw MoUs being signed worth `

20,000 crore. “We are almost near our target now. We have signed MoUs for resorts to be skill development, and promotions and public campaigns along with investments. “Tourism was given the industry status in 1999 but none of the perks were extended. This is the first instance where tourism has got its rightful place. The policy was drafted after discussions with different stakeholders like tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, travel associations, farm agro tourism associations, etc. We also studied tourism policies in about 10 countries,” Singh adds.