What steps has Maharashtra Tourism taken to promote village-level participation in the Maharashtra Rural Tourism Competition?
Maharashtra is committed to making rural tourism a central pillar of its tourism policy. Under the Tourism Policy 2024, the state invites villages to become tourism development partners rather than merely destinations. This approach enables villages to actively contribute to the state’s vision of strengthening India’s tourism economy while generating sustainable local employment.
We recognise and support villages that represent authentic rural life in agriculture, crafts, cuisine, art, and heritage. To encourage participation, the state has introduced a structured recognition and incentive framework through the Maharashtra Rural Tourism Competition, under which state grants are provided for tourism infrastructure. The competition is expected to bring over 100 villages onto the tourism map, generating local income while preserving rural heritage.
At the state level, one village will receive the Best Tourism Village in Maharashtra award with a prize of ₹10 crore. At the divisional level, six villages will be awarded ₹5 crore each. Additionally, under eight thematic categories across six divisions, 48 villages will receive prizes of ₹1 crore each. Participation in the competition is community-based, and the eligibility criteria safeguard rural identity by considering factors such as population size, proximity to natural or heritage sites, and the preservation of local traditions.