With more Indians rushing to massage and spa parlours, the Maharashtra tourism department wants to start ayurvedic massage centres at each of resorts owned by Maharastra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) across the state.
Maharashtra, the most industrialised state in the country, receives one of the largest number of foreign tourists, which stands at about 4.5 million annually. Similarly, 8.4 million domestic tourists visit the state annually.
MTDC is mandated with development of tourism in the state. It runs a chain of popular resorts at tourism hotspots in the state.
"These days travellers want to enjoy and relax during their vacations. Ayurvedic massages, which have been passed on through tradition, have healing qualities and are popular among local tourists and foreigners," said a senior MTDC official.
"The private resorts are already offering massages and we are losing out on tourists because of that. Hence, it would also act as a great revenue generator," the officer said.
Massage centres would also add a push to yoga tourism, which the tourism department is already promoting as part of its health and medical tourism.
The plan to set up massage centres was first discussed during a recent conclave, organised by the state tourism department, in Goregaon. On Saturday, after holding a meeting with concerned authorities and departments, state education minister Vinod Tawde, who also holds the medical education portfolio tweeted: "Discussed Ayurvedic, Panchakarma massage introduction in MTDC at All India Institute and Ayurveda in Maharashtra meet."
Sources in MTDC said the step is in the right direction. However, keeping a quality control check on the masseurs would be important as tourists would expect quality service from MTDC.
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