Maharashtra Puts Brakes On Foreign Study Tours To Focus On Home Turf

The Maharashtra government has resolved to revoke all foreign “study tours” conducted by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, which has been making trips abroad to promote its in-country tourism. The decision comes when the government is under increasing pressure from public calls for a more critical look on taxpayer-funded overseas trips and greater focus on strengthening and promoting domestic tourism. It is a shift in the travel and tourism industry from outbound official tours and visits to inbound, domestic oriented approach.

The officials have said that the funds allocated for foreign outings will be shifted to bolstering the ground infrastructure, marketing as well as partnership initiatives of Maharashtra’s own tourist circuits.  

A policy that encourages responsible spending.  

The state is canceling foreign trips as it is hit with criticism that these trips often provide little tangible benefit but have a high cost. The ruling also reflects the worldwide trend of governments taking the lead in cutting expenditure. More tangible changes in funding can be made to benefit in the local area, such as increased amenities at tourist sites, increased connectivity and signage.  

The tourism department is anticipated to adopt more virtual exchanges and domestic workshops and cooperation with the industry sectors as compared to the costlier overseas delegations. It would be expected to be a move towards marketing other places such as Konkan beaches, hill stations, heritage forts, wildlife reserves and cultural circuits. This may lead to a more even distribution of visitor arrivals throughout the state and a boost for smaller businesses.  

How will the resulting actions impact stakeholders?  

The step will look good for citizens and taxpayers as a measure of accountability. For the tourism industry, it brings into focus that policy attention and budgets will focus on enhancing Maharashtra's own tourism value proposition. Going forward, the challenge will be to use the saved money wisely, and to find tangible signs of acceleration of on-ground projects.  

Move highlights a tourism policy.  

• The government said it has ended its tourism department foreign “study tours” for the state.  
• To reduce unnecessary spending and address public concerns, Decision seeks to address the issue of non-essential spending.  
• Money anticipated to be reallocated for domestic tourism development.  
• Holding on to infrastructure, promotion and local destination enhancements  
• Industry will monitor the extent to which savings are used to deliver on-the-ground improvements.  

Twelve states, including Maharashtra, have banned foreign tourism department trips and opted to promote local tourism initiatives following recent announcements and media reports.

Sources: Recent state-level announcements and media coverage on Maharashtra’s decision to cancel foreign tourism department tours and re-focus on domestic tourism priorities