India’s first MTDC Tourism Pavilion inaugurated at Infosys

– First of its kind project initiated by any state government in India –

Pune, 29 May 2016: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 29, 2016 inaugurated India’s first of its kind project, MTDC’s Infosys Tourism Pavilion at Infosys, Hinjewadi to provide the employees of India’s leading IT company, Infosys, the best tourism facilities under the banner of the reputed tourism board of the country, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

The occasion was graced with the presence of Girish Bapat,  Guardian Minister, Pune; Valsa Nair Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra; Shri. ParaagJaiinNainuttia, IAS, Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation; Shri. SatishSoni, Joint Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation; ShriRamdasKamat, Executive Vice President and the Head of Infrastructure, Facilities, Administration, Security, and Sustainability at Infosys and Shri. PravinKulkarni, Vice President, Infosys.

Smt. Valsa Nair Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra highlighting the initiative, commented, “We are grateful to Infosys for inviting MTDC to set up a Tourism Pavilion in the Infosys campus Phase II Food court 3, in a space of 1,250 square feet. Over 40,000 IT employees work in this campus and this pavilion will provide various tourism related services under the banner of MTDC, to them on a concessional basis. We plan to provide one-two day short tours on every weekend, special heritage tours, souvenir shop, air tickets, train tickets, passport and visa facilities, adventure tours, all kinds of travel kits, a travel lounge area, unique selfie point and an experience to wear various Maharashtrian traditional costumes. With our leading tourism partners we can provide bookings for amusement parks, hot air balloon rides,  MTDC’s Asia’s first scuba diving institute (PADI), jungle safaris, the luxury heritage train Deccan Odyssey, Helicopter rides in Mumbai and the opportunity to experience colorful festivals like Ganpati, Gokulashtami, Holi, Wari and many more as per their special destinations.”

Shri.ParaagJaiinNainuttia, IAS, Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporationhighlighted “The average age of Infosys employees is around 25 and have good spending capacity. Sixty percent of employ strength are not from the state of Maharashtra. We found an opportunity to introduce those to one of the great states of our country. Our aim is to provide them the best tourism facilities. MTDC has already invested around 25 lac INR to set up the infrastructure for Tourism Pavilion.”

Shri. Satish Soni, Joint Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, commented “Leading brands in tourism industry like Adlabs Entertainment, Oyo Rooms, Lavasa Corporation Ltd. (LavasaThe Tourism City), State Bank Of India, Xlimitz Ltd. and Supreme Holidays have partnered us to help us provide all tourism related services at this Tourism pavilion.”

About MTDC:

Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the state, which generates substantial foreign exchange and has culminated in significant employment prospects. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) was established with the aim of promoting tourism in the state. Since its foundation, MTDC has been at the forefront of development and maintenance of various tourist sites and at present owns and maintains resorts in these regions. To aide tourists, MTDC has opened information centres at all popular destination, which provide travel information about various tourist spots in Maharashtra along with travel maps, Maharashtra tourism guides and travel books at affordable prices.

Maharashtra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India offering a diverse range of experiences from pristine beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, natural caves, waterfalls, to imposing forts, colourful festivals, ancient pilgrimage shrines, museums, and historical monuments. For further details, please visit: http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/