Maharashtra has unveiled an ambitious tourism roadmap aimed at attracting INR 1 lakh crore in private investment and creating 18 lakh jobs by 2034, as part of the state’s broader Vikasit Maharashtra vision. The strategy seeks to position Maharashtra as a global tourism destination by expanding its appeal beyond established hotspots such as Mumbai, Pune and the Ajanta-Ellora circuit.
The state’s tourism department plans to develop integrated tourism circuits centred around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s forts, Buddhist and spiritual destinations, wildlife reserves, the Konkan coastline, Nashik’s wine region and rural tourism. The overarching goal is to draw greater domestic and international visitor interest while significantly upgrading tourism infrastructure across the state. To boost business tourism, Maharashtra will also establish a dedicated MICE Convention Bureau and encourage public-private partnerships for hotels, eco-tourism projects, ropeways, convention centres and adventure tourism.
Coastal and heritage tourism form a major pillar of the roadmap. According to Additional Chief Secretary for Tourism Sanjay Khandare, key upcoming projects include India’s first underwater naval museum and an artificial reef built using the decommissioned INS Guldar off Sindhudurg. The state also plans to expand scuba diving facilities at Tarkarli, promote cruise and yacht tourism along its 878-km coastline, and introduce immersive AR and VR experiences at heritage sites. To attract international investment, Maharashtra will open dedicated tourism investment promotion offices in Mumbai, Dubai and Singapore.
Ahead of the 2027 Nashik Kumbh Mela, the government is accelerating infrastructure development, with investments directed toward roads, riverfront development, accommodation, sanitation, signage and digital crowd management systems. This infrastructure is expected to have long-term tourism benefits, positioning Nashik and Trimbakeshwar as year-round destinations for pilgrimage, heritage and wine tourism. In March 2026, the Chief Minister-led Apex Committee approved a INR 22,425.39 crore Kumbh Mela Development Plan, with the central government also sanctioning financial assistance for eligible fair and festival proposals from the state.
As part of its digital push, Maharashtra will launch the MahaAtithi platform to connect tourism stakeholders and generate real-time visitor analytics, alongside large-scale digital campaigns promoting the state’s forts, beaches, festivals, cuisine and cultural heritage. The government also plans to introduce standard operating procedures and safety audits for adventure tourism, while promoting homestays and women-led tourism enterprises. Through these combined initiatives, Maharashtra aims to position itself as a premium, experience-driven destination that blends heritage, spirituality, wildlife, beaches, urban culture and business tourism with world-class infrastructure.