Tourism can open other avenues for development: Phatak

Mumbai, Oct 7 (UNI) Tourism will generate employment as well as open new avenues for the development of Maharashtra, said Jairaj Phatak, Commissioner of Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) here today.

Briefing media persons at the flag-off function of 'Grand Tour of India', a car rally from the historic Gateway of India here this morning, Mr Phatak said tourism will generate job opportunities for the unemployed youths and it will also open several new avenues for the development of the state.

He gave assurance that the Corporation will provide all the essential facilities to boost tourism in this commercial capital of the country.

In the car rally, 72 foreign tourists have participated. They will traverse the distance of nearly 7,575 km by passing through 23 cities.

The participants will zip through various states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa.

During the course of the 33-day grand tour, the participants will get an opportunity to experience the vast diversity of the country's wonders, sights, sounds, culture, food and most importantly interaction with the local people.

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has supported the grand self-drive tourism event, in coordination with Incredible India and other state tourism bodies.

UNI