Pune’s Branding Must Centre On Heritage And Cultural Tourism, Says Bharat Langhi

Pune's Deputy Director of Tourism, Bharat Langhi, emphasized that the city's rich heritage and cultural significance are key factors for establishing Pune as a major global tourism destination. During a tourism symposium organized by the Pune Festival and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), Langhi highlighted the importance of implementing effective tourism policies, accelerating infrastructure development, and ensuring high-quality facilities, including accommodation, transport, and sanitation, to catapult Pune onto the world stage.

Langhi pointed out that the Central Government's 2020 tourism policy has prompted implementation across Maharashtra, as jobs in the tourism sector account for one out of every ten positions. He advocated for focusing on Pune's ancient historical heritage and rich culture to further enhance the city's appeal. To capitalize on this potential, Langhi urged that infrastructure development, accommodation quality, and smooth transport and sanitation facilities must be prioritized.

The symposium featured other esteemed speakers, including Nilesh Bhansali, President of Devam Tours & Travels; Manoj Hadwale, Founder-Director of Parashar Agri & Village Tourism; and Dr Santosh Suryavanshi, a distinguished wellness tourism expert. Bhansali stressed the importance of cooperation between government and private sectors, while Suryavanshi elaborated on the immense possibilities of wellness tourism through natural farming, Ayurveda-based lifestyles, and goushalas (cow shelters).

Manoj Hadwale underscored the necessity of infrastructure, cleanliness, safety, and multilingual information to attract foreign tourists, drawing from the experiences of enhanced tourist presence at destinations meeting these criteria.