Introduction:
Tourism around the world is buzzing with major developments—from reopened sacred pilgrimages and new travel routes to growing concerns about over-tourism. Here’s a roundup of the most important travel and tourism news making headlines today

 Mahabaleshwar Hosts Mega Tourism Festival to Promote Maharashtra’s Heritage and Investment

Mahabaleshwar, a renowned hill station in Maharashtra, is currently hosting a grand tourism festival aimed at showcasing the state’s rich heritage, art, cuisine, and investment opportunities. The event, held at Mahabaleshwar Giristhan, is envisioned to become an annual celebration, attracting tourists and investors alike. The festival features cultural performances, local handicrafts, traditional foods, and exhibitions that highlight Maharashtra’s diverse offerings. By promoting sustainable tourism and economic growth, the festival seeks to position Mahabaleshwar as a key destination for both leisure and business activities.

Mahabaleshwar, a renowned hill station in Maharashtra, is currently hosting a grand tourism festival aimed at showcasing the state’s rich heritage, art, cuisine, and investment opportunities. The event, held at Mahabaleshwar Giristhan, is envisioned to become an annual celebration, attracting tourists and investors alike. The festival features cultural performances, local handicrafts, traditional foods, and exhibitions that highlight Maharashtra’s diverse offerings. By promoting sustainable tourism and economic growth, the festival seeks to position Mahabaleshwar as a key destination for both leisure and business activities.

Govt initiates tourism infra projects worth Rs 281 crore

The Meghalaya government has announced a series of infrastructure projects aimed at diversifying tourist destinations and boosting footfall across key sites.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh outlined the initiatives, which are backed by substantial financial commitments from both state and central funds totalling around Rs 281 crore.
The Tourism Department has undertaken projects from the state scheme costing around Rs 5 crore. Under the Government of India’s Swadesh Darshan programme, Meghalaya has secured funding for a comprehensive tourism development plan focused on Nartiang and Mawphlang village, totalling Rs 53 crore, Lyngdoh informed.
Additionally, large-scale tourism projects have been sanctioned under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), with projects at Mawkhanu, New Shillong, exceeding Rs 103 crore, and one more for the redevelopment of Umiam Lake and its suburbs at an investment of Rs 120 crore, he said.
One of the key takeovers planned by the department is the Ward’s Lake, which is currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of Forests and Environment.

India set to become MICE tourism capital of the world, says Union Culture Minister

The government and private exhibition industry must collaborate to establish India as a centre of MICE tourism, says Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

India is poised to become the global capital of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Friday.

“New segments of tourism are emerging, with MICE tourism being the most important and fastest-growing segment in the country. The exhibition and conference infrastructure across the nation, including Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and even small cities post-G-20 summit indicates that India stands at the threshold of strong opportunities in this sector,” Mr. Shekhawat said while inaugurating a two-day seminar here.

The seminar, titled ‘India: The land of Exponential Growth’, was organised by the Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA), the apex national body of exhibition industry in the country.

Boost to connectivity, economy, tourism and employment in Northeast India

In a major infrastructure boost for the Northeast, the Centre has approved a project for development, maintenance, and management of a 166.80 km Greenfield High-Speed Corridor between Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya and Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam, officials said on Friday.
They said the project will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and will have a total capital cost of Rs 22,864 crore.

According to officials, the critical infrastructure project will improve inter-city connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar, traversing through Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya and Cachar district in Assam, reduce congestion on existing NH-06 and enhance transport infrastructure development in line with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
The proposed access-controlled four-lane highway will span 144.80 km in Meghalaya and 22.00 km in Assam. With an estimated civil construction cost of Rs 12,087 crore and land acquisition valued at Rs 3,503 crore, the project is expected to generate approximately 137 lakh man-days of direct and indirect employment.

The project will integrate several major highways, including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, and NH-37, and is expected to handle daily traffic of 19,000-20,000 Passenger Car Units (PCU) by FY25.
The corridor will enhance regional logistics by reducing travel time, improving cargo movement, and supporting Meghalaya’s cement and coal-based industries. It will also improve access to scenic destinations and regional airports, boosting tourism.
The route will connect key locations such as Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khlieriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, and Kalain, and improve access to Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar airports.

Districts benefiting directly from the project include Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, and Cachar in Assam.
Officials said the corridor aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. It supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by enhancing multi-modal connectivity, reducing logistics costs, and accelerating socio-economic development in remote and border areas.
They said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will oversee the implementation of the project.
Upon completion, the Shillong-Silchar Corridor will play a pivotal role in regional economic growth, improving connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Aizawl and Agartala. The project aligns with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, enhancing infrastructure while generating employment and fostering socio-economic development in Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

Mizoram has achieved a significant milestone in its transportation infrastructure with the arrival of the first railway engine in Sairang, marking the near completion of the Bairabi-Sairang broad gauge railway line. This 51.38-kilometer project, executed by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), is currently 95% complete, with ₹7,714 crore spent out of the sanctioned ₹8,215 crore. The line is expected to be fully operational by July 2025, pending final inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, scheduled for May or June

The Bairabi–Sairang railway line is a transformative project for Mizoram, bringing the state capital, Aizawl, into India’s railway network for the first time. This development is anticipated to revolutionize mobility, trade, and development in the state. Executed under the Centre’s Act East Policy, the project aims to boost connectivity and economic integration across the North Eastern region. The railway line includes four passenger stations—Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang-Sihhmui—and features impressive engineering feats such as 32 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 89 minor bridges. Notably, Pier P-4 stands at a height of 104 meters, surpassing the height of the Qutub Minar

Officials have stated that the railway line will significantly reduce travel time and logistics costs, enhance tourism potential, and streamline the transport of goods and passengers. An official involved in the project remarked, “The railway will open up immense possibilities for Mizoram’s economy and create easier access for both trade and tourism.” This initiative aligns with the broader strategic framework of the Act East Policy, which envisions enhancing India’s trade and connectivity with Southeast Asia.

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