German delegates express concern no international air service from city

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the tourism capital, is home to world heritage sites Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves. Besides these two sites, the region also has several other heritage monuments and tourist attractions. Thousands of tourists visit the city every day. Despite this, visitors from Germany have raised a question over non-availability of international air service in the city.

German delegates comprising 11 tourism stakeholders today visited Ajanta Caves. From the viewpoint overlooking the caves, they admired the scenic beauty of the site. They closely observed the Buddhist-era murals, caves and intricate sculptures inside the cave complex. Impressed by the artistic grandeur of the Ajanta caves, the delegates praised the heritage site.

B2B meet

The visitors also interacted with local tour operators, hotel owners and members of the guides’ association in the city on Friday late evening. They said that tourism in the region has international significance and that efforts should be made to preserve and promote this global status. They applauded the state’s Department of Tourism (DoT) for inviting international delegates and showcasing the region’s global importance through Familiarisation (FAM) Tour. Local stakeholders Harpreet Singh, Jaswant Singh, Ganesh Chappalwar and others were also present on the occasion.

Travelling via Delhi or Mumbai

The delegates expressed surprise on learning that the city still lacks direct international air connectivity. According to them, many tourists from different countries are eager to visit the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. However, they have to travel through Mumbai, Delhi or other cities, which increases both travel time and expenses. They noted that if direct international air services start from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, it would make the region far more accessible for foreign tourists.

Waiting for an Immigration Check Post

Although Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport is equipped with facilities required for international flights, the city is still waiting for the establishment of an Immigration Check Post (ICP), which is necessary for operating international air services.