“Comparative Study of the Strategies adopted by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in promoting tourism industry in the respective states.” Chapter- 4 Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) 4.1. Formation, Hierarchy and Organizational Structure of MTDC: 4.1.1. Formation: 4.1.2. Hierarchy and Organizational set-up: 4.2.Need and Importance of MTDC: 4.3.MTDC as a State Agency to Execute the Decisions Taken by the State Government: 4.4.Role of MTDC in Developing Tourism in Maharashtra: 1. Establishment of Accommodation Centres at Various Important Tourism Destination: 2. Organizing Various Programmes : i. Visit Golden Maharashtra: ii. Banganga Festival: 3. Participation in Various National and International Exhibitions: 4. Informative Website: 5. Sales Literature: i. Booklet: ii. Pamphlets: 6. Appointment of Travel Agents: 7. Regional Centres: 8. Helpline: 9. Booking Centres: 10. Bed and Breakfast Scheme: 11. Passing Various Government Resolutions (GRs) Related to Tourism: Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Page 84 of 488 “Comparative Study of the Strategies adopted by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in promoting tourism industry in the respective states.” 4.5.SWOT Analysis of MTDC: 4.5.1. SWOT Analysis: 4.5.2. SWOT Analysis of MTDC: 4.5.2.1.The SWOT Analysis done by MTDC officials: 1. Strengths: 2. Weaknesses: 3. Opportunities: 4. Threats: 4.6.Conclusion Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Page 85 of 488 “Comparative Study of the Strategies adopted by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in promoting tourism industry in the respective states.” Chapter- 4 Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Chapter Four deals with the points such as information, organizational set-up etc. of MTDC, the need and importance of MTDC is explained with suitable points which can throw light on the necessity of MTDC. How MTDC is playing a crucial role in ‘Tourism Development’ in the State has also been explained by illustrating various activities of the MTDC. 4.1.Formation, Hierarchy and Organizational Structure of MTDC: 4.1.1. Formation: The primary responsibility of overall development of the state lies with the State Government. The state government is empowered to take all kinds of important decisions in relation to development of the state. However, considering the priorities, available human resource and infrastructure, government alone cannot look into all the areas with the same intensity and priority. Hence, the government has established separate specialized bodies for all such areas. The concerned ministries are putting in extra efforts for the proper functioning of the concerned field. For example MIDC is established for promotion of industries, MSRTC for public transport, MSRTC for construction, development and maintenance of the roads, etc. Likewise, for the proper, sustainable and long term development of tourism in the state, ‘Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC)’ has been established by the Government of Maharashtra in January 1975. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Page 86 of 488 “Comparative Study of the Strategies adopted by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in promoting tourism industry in the respective states.” 4.1.2. Hierarchy and Organizational set-up: Chart Showing Hierarchy and Organizational Structure of MTDC: Hierarchy and Organizational Structure of MTDC Hon. Minister of Tourism Hon. State Tourism Minister Principal Secretary – Tourism (IAS) Managing Director Joint Managing Director General Manager Staff in the Head Office Accommodation and Properties Booking Centres Information Centres Domestic International Foreign Embassies Foreign Consulates Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Page 87 of 488 “Comparative Study of the Strategies adopted by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in promoting tourism industry in the respective states.” Hon. Chief Minister is the ultimate apex executive authority of the MTDC. However, for the sake of convenience and to look into the routine business of the corporation, Hon. Minister for Tourism is in charge of MTDC. He is assisted by Hon. State Tourism Minister and one bureaucrat i.e. Principal Secretary- an IAS officer. These are the key persons in taking all kinds of policy decisions. They are the connecting link between the MTDC and Government of Maharashtra. They spend majority of their time in ‘Mantralaya’. Hence it is more convenient for them to interact and co-ordinate with the other governmental officials to expedite and complete the formalities related to MTDC at the earliest. The office bearers are the full time staff of the MTDC and they look into the daily routine business of the corporation. They are also responsible for providing the proper input and feedback to the above mentioned officials. They are supposed to take all kinds of efforts to execute the decisions taken by the Government in the most effective and efficient manner. Managing Director, Joint Managing Director and General Manager, fall in this category. However, they are also the top officials and they are part of the high powered committee which takes decisions about tourism. Thereafter, the arrangement of the staff in the Head office is made, based on the regions as well as specific functions. Mainly controlling, monitoring, guiding and motivating - activities are carried out apart from the routine and mandatory activities at the Head Office. The Head Office of MTDC is well equipped with the necessary infrastructure. It is in continuous touch with all the stake holders. Recently, the location of the Head office has been shifted from Express Towers to Churchgate, at Mumbai. The accommodation centres are located at various tourism destinations. Resident Managers are appointed at all such resorts. As per the directions of the Regional Centres and the Head Office, they fulfil their task. The manager of the resort is the head of the accommodation centre, which is also a connecting link between regional centre and the head office. As and when required he interacts with these officials and takes their guidance. As the head of accommodation, he is responsible for all kinds of activities. He must ensure that all the activities are carried out very smoothly as per the guidelines of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Page 88 of 488 “Comparative Study of the Strategies adopted by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in promoting tourism industry in the respective states.” Head Office. A daily report is prepared by the manager and sent at around 7 p.m., to the concerned regional offices. There are seven Regional centres namely- Aurangabad, Amravati, Nasik, Pune, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Nagpur. The regional centre is headed by the Regional Director. He is responsible for the smooth functioning of the information centre, booking centre and the accommodation centres. He is the connecting link between these centres and the Head Office. Sufficient staff and required equipments are provided to the Regional Director so that he can perform his duties and responsibilities more effectively and efficiently. He is also expected to create and maintain liaison with the local bodies responsible for smooth functioning of the MTDC’s establishments. The information and booking centres also fall under the concerned Regional Centre. They are also expected to work as per the guidelines of the Regional Director. The booking centres can have the live status of the accommodation centres which fall under their jurisdiction. As per the condition they complete the booking formalities and communicate the same immediately to the concerned accommodation centre. With the help of the above organizational set-up, MTDC is performing its activities very smoothly. Hence we can say that the current organizational structure prove to be effective for the corporation. 4.2. Need and Importance of MTDC: In order to avail the benefits of tourism, the Central Government has initiated various steps. Appointment of Sergeant Committee, establishment of ITDC, National Tourism Board and the setting up of a separate Tourism Ministry, are concrete efforts in this direction. Due to these substantial efforts, the country has witnessed tremendous growth in the tourist inflow, both domestic as well as foreign. However, considering the huge geographical area, diversity in culture, language and variety in tourist destinations, it was very difficult for the Central Government to reach and promote all tourist destinations. Therefore it was decided by the Government of India to assign the primary Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Page 89 of 488 “Comparative Study of the Strategies adopted by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in promoting tourism industry in the respective states.” responsibility of development and promotion of local tourism destinations to the respective state governments. Initially, the State Governments started their activities without any specialized body. But gradually it was realized that, it is difficult to undertake all the required activities related to tourism, in addition to the routine