‘Medical Value Tourism’ and Guide Training expected to strengthen tourism capital

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The budget has announced several initiatives for tourism. Information about the country’s cultural, religious, and historical sites will be compiled in digital format. This is expected to create employment opportunities for researchers, historians, and local youth. There is hope that ‘Medical Value Tourism’ and guide training will give new momentum to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the state’s tourism capital.

A plan has been announced to provide skill development training to 10,000 guides across 20 major tourist sites in the country. Inclusion of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in this initiative would open new employment opportunities for local youth. Excavated areas will be made accessible to the public through well-planned pathways. Additionally, conservation labs, information-analysis centres, and advanced storytelling and technology tools will be used to empower tourism guides, as announced in the budget. Over the past few years, excavations have taken place across Marathwada, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, and Latur. Citizens will be able to see the findings firsthand.

Preparation of the Scheme

Following Tamil Nadu’s example, Maharashtra will soon introduce the ‘Medical Value Tourism’ scheme. It is expected to receive cabinet approval shortly. “This scheme will work even better than Tamil Nadu’s model and create a new industry,” announced public health minister Prakash Abitkar recently in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The budget proposes a plan to develop India as a leading centre for medical tourism services, with state-level support in partnership with the private sector. Under this plan, five regional medical centres will be established. These centres will provide integrated healthcare, medical education, and research facilities. Attention is now focused on the locations of these five centres.

Tourism given priority

The budget has given tourism a prominent place. New tourism centres and employment opportunities are expected to increase, benefiting Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as well.

— Jayant Gore, president, Marathwada Tourism Development Organisation

Boosting tourism growth

To promote large-scale employment through tourism, the central government has taken important steps. Local youth will be trained as guides at 20 selected major tourist sites in the country, providing direct employment. This will also boost tourism growth in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

— Sunit Kothari, president, Civil Aviation Committee and Public Relations Committee, Aurangabad Tourism Development Foundation (ATDF)