The Tourism Development Corporations (TDC) of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have resolved to jointly promote the sectors in the two States. It has been agreed in principle to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a broad, operational framework to this effect.
Maharashtra’s Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal told the presspersons here on Friday that it was a win-win situation for the States if they could work together. “We have the highest foreign tourist arrivals with 4.8 million of the total 6.29 million who came to India in 2011, visiting destinations in our State. We are focussing on attracting domestic tourism now,” he said. Mr. Bhujbal said the two States had several similarities and complemented well to each other’s culture. Tourists from other States could well visit A.P. and Maharashtra. “This would be our focus and tour operators can be made aware of how visiting both the States would be a wholesome experience,” he added, after inaugurating an MTDC Tourism Information and Reservation Centre at the Paryatak Bhavan here. MD of MTDC Jagdish Patil said Maharashtra had everything to offer for tourists and boasted of virtually unlimited resources for nature, beach and adventure sports lovers, honeymooners, pilgrims and had sites of historical importance. “A.P. is one of the most developed States of India with a large composition of educated and affluent society,” he said. The new office is the third outside Maharashtra. AP’s Special Chief Secretary-Tourism, Chandana Khan said sharing of borders with Maharashtra provided distinct advantages that could be leveraged.
