TAAI-Pune Chapter To Push For Formation Of Pune Tourism Board

Reema Sisodia - Mumbai

K K Rawat

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Pune Chapter, along with Pune hoteliers namely (Le Meridien, Sun-N-Sand and Woodlands Group of Hotels) are aiming to formulate a new tourism board called the Pune Tourism Board, exclusively dedicated for the development and promotion of Pune as a tourism destination. Pune and its surrounding regions would be part of the development plan. Apart from TAAI and Pune hoteliers, Indiatourism-western region, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, commissioner of police, Pune city, shopping mall owners and also the corporate sector would be involved in making this plan a success.

Speaking about the initiative and the future plans K K Rawat, chairman-Pune Chapter-TAAI, said, “Our aim is to make the city an attractive tourism destination. Along with the city, there are a lot of interesting tourist options in the surrounding areas, such as forts, trekking sites etc, which we also aim to promote through this venture. Highlighting the tourism splendours of the region, that would include forts, heritage sites, improving these sites, providing comfortable accommodation facilities, guiding visitors about the city by placing tourism information counters specially at railway stations, improving the city’s cleanliness is all part of the plan”

TAAI is also looking forward to gain support from the corporate sector to implement the plans. A public-private synergy is inevitable feels members of the trade. Rawat further mentioned that, the issue has already been discussed and approved by the TAAI national committee and would also received further encouragement when discussed at the recently held TAAI’s meeting in Hyderabad. “Though it may sound as an ambitious venture, but we are trying hard to make it success. We are planning to have our committee meeting by April 1, 2005 and hopefully we are expecting some action and progress in the coming three to four months.”