Maharashtra Tourism Leads Global Push for MICE and Wedding Tourism
In a determined effort to establish itself as a premier destination for business events and destination weddings, the Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, has taken bold steps to build world class convention infrastructure and attract major international gatherings. This initiative reflects a conservative approach to economic development, prioritizing local industry growth and national sovereignty over hasty globalist trends.
Strategic Partnership at WOW Awards Asia 2026
Maharashtra Tourism partnered as the Principal Partner in the 17th edition of WOW Awards Asia 2026, held on 3rd and 4th July at the Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai. This platform, one of Asia's largest for the experiential, MICE, live entertainment and wedding industries, allowed the Department to showcase the state's strengths to thousands of delegates and exhibitors from 25 countries. The focus was on promoting convention destinations that respect traditional values while embracing modern business opportunities.
Visionary Leadership Rooted in Stability
The convention was spearheaded by Sanjay Khandare, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, and Mangesh Joshi, IAS, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra. They were joined by Tanuja Pandey, Advisor and Senior Consultant; Santosh Rokade, Deputy Secretary; Vijay Powar, Deputy Secretary (Acting Managing Director, MTDC); and Santosh Jadhav, Joint Director. Their leadership underscores a commitment to stable, responsible governance that protects local industries and cultural heritage.
'Maharashtra offers an unrivalled blend of first-rate infrastructure, a unique cultural heritage, and an excellent private-public partnership. It is our vision to make Maharashtra the leading choice of destination for tourism, conventions, and international business conferences in India.'
Conversations Driving India's MICE Future
One of the key sessions was the WOW Garage session titled 'India Rising: The Meetings Hub of Tomorrow - Infrastructure, Vision & Opportunities,' organized by Maharashtra Tourism. Moderated by Prateek N Kumar, the panel included Anju Gomes, Senior Regional Director-Middle East, ICCA; Mayur Gujar, Senior General Manager, Jio World Convention Centre; Tanuja Pandey, Senior Consultant and Advisor; and Vijay Sharma, Executive Director, JWC India & Southeast Asia. The discussion focused on India's growing role in the global MICE landscape and how Maharashtra is shaping the business event environment through careful planning and local investment.
Pavilion Showcasing Maharashtra's Diverse Attractions
The Maharashtra Tourism Pavilion at the Asia Experiential B2B Expo was a major networking hub. It highlighted the state's offerings in tourism, conferencing, destination weddings, luxury accommodation, heritage tours, coastal tourism and investments. Distinguished visitors included Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon'ble Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India; Smt. Himgauri Aher-Adke, Hon'ble Mayor, Nashik Municipal Corporation; and Shri Rajdeep Sardesai, Senior Journalist and Consulting Editor, India Today Group. Other notable guests included leaders from the hotel and experiential sectors such as Deepak Choudhary, Mohomed Morani, Nikhil Nair, Ankur Kalra, Sushma Gaikwad, Pramod Gaikwad, Puneet Narula, Rakhee Kankaria, Girish Vasudev Kulkarni, Rutika Channawar, Emre Kirazci, Naveli Deshmukh, and many more. These interactions reflect a strategy of building strategic collaborations to position Maharashtra as India's destination of choice for MICE, mega events and luxury weddings.
Celebrating Cultural and Spiritual Tourism
The convention also highlighted Maharashtra's rich cultural and spiritual tourism potential. In her keynote address, Smt. Himgauri Aher-Adke emphasized the importance of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest spiritual gatherings.
'Not only is the Simhastha Kumbh Mela a festival of devotion, but it also gives us a chance to present our culture and hospitality of Nashik and Maharashtra to the whole world.'
The discussion focused on how Maharashtra successfully organizes mega events while preserving its cultural traditions, a model that respects family values and community heritage.
Launch of the Maharashtra Convention Bureau
A key announcement was the launch of the Maharashtra Convention Bureau (MCB) by the Department of Tourism. This institutional platform will drive campaigns to secure national and international conventions, exhibitions, corporate events, and incentive travel programs. Working with convention centers, hotels, airlines, destination management firms, and industry associations, the Bureau aims to make Maharashtra India's leading MICE destination. It will focus on convention-ready cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Konkan to boost business tourism, create employment opportunities, attract investment, and support long term tourism development.
Positioning Maharashtra on the Global MICE Map
Through proactive policy measures, thought leadership, an impressive exhibition pavilion, the launch of the MCB, and engagement with stakeholders from over 25 nations, Maharashtra Tourism achieved its goal of positioning the state as India's top MICE destination. The Department was awarded the Best State for MICE, Weddings & Live Events award from Mr. Ramesh Patil, Business Head, EVENTFAQS Media at WOW Awards Asia 2026. Mr. Mangesh Joshi, IAS, received the award on behalf of the Department, recognizing sustained efforts in providing world class MICE infrastructure and a destination weddings and live events ecosystem.
The convention demonstrated Maharashtra's commitment to creating a competitive tourism landscape that blends great infrastructure, culture, industry collaborations, and innovative steps to foster growth in the tourism and MICE sectors. This approach, grounded in conservative principles of stability and local industry protection, offers a model for other regions seeking to develop without sacrificing their identity.