The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has initiated a scheme that will enable enthusiastic citizens of Nashik to play host to tourists who prefer home food and homely accommodation.

The bread & breakfast project envisages an overnight stay in the house of the host along with home-cooked breakfast and meals at a price which will be decided by MTDC. The plan is expected to cater to the needs of tourists who would like to interact with local citizens, prefer home-cooked food and a homely atmosphere.

It is also expected to provide opportunities of cultural exchange to local citizens and visitors, apart from enabling locals to earn money on rooms that lie unused.

Citizens wanting to play hosts to tourists must register themselves with MTDC, which will give them official permission after submission of documents and verification. For registration and verification, Rs 3,500 will be charged by the hosts from the city and Rs 2,500 from rural areas.

Pradnya Bade-Misal, regional manager (Nashik division), MTDC, told TOI, "We have introduced a bread & breakfast project in Nashik. As per the project, enthusiastic citizens will play host to tourists who prefer home-cooked food and homely accommodation. Citizens having additional rooms and wanting to play hosts to tourists can get registered with MTDC with necessary documents."

Nine hosts in Nashik have already got themselves registered with MTDC under the project.

The project will enhance availability of rooms during the Simhastha Kumbh mela, a mega religious event, which is held every 12 years in Nashik. Lakhs of devotes visit Nashik for the event, next scheduled in 2015.

Excerpts of the interview with TOI reporter Tushar Pawar as below 

As regional manager, MTDC, what are your priorities?

Beautiful nature and pleasant climate are the USPs of Nashik and we have to flash them. Generally, people go to Shimla and Kullu Manali to cure their ailments through fresh air and pleasant climate there. But people need not go there. I will say come to Nashik on weekends to get well so that they would not fall ill. I am planning to promote wellness tourism in Nashik. There are several tourist locations in Nashik and tourists must reach these places. Hence, it is the need to flash these places that will increase the number of tourists and generate employment there.

What is MTDC doing to promote tourism at Saptashringi Garh, Trimbakeshwar, Shirdi and other tourist places?

We are developing Saptashringi Garh and providing infrastructure there. We are also developing the ropeway there and Shitkada.

We are also planning to improve the Pheri Marg (Pathway) at Bramhagiri in Trimbakeshar. We are also planning a Bhakta Nivas (guest house) on Pheri Marg.

We are also planning wayside amenities in Shirdi. Most tourists coming to Shirdi want places to get fresh. Considering this, we are planning a Wayside Amenities project in and around Shirdi and we are identifying land there. There will be toilets and washrooms for tourists coming to Shirdi too.

What is MIDC planning in Nashik to promote tourism?

Nashik is already known as a religious city. Thousands of pilgrims come to Trimbakeshwar and Shirdi. Hence, tourists going to these places must stay in Nashik at least for one or two days. Hence, we are planning to focus on places having a good tourism potential. We are working on a project 'One night stay in Nashik' to promote tourism and increase tourists here. Most families want to visit places for one or two days. Hence, we are planning small packages for families visiting Nashik.

There are several trekking spots in Nashik and we are planning to promote them. We have identified some trekking spots to provide basic facilities.

Moreover, Nashik district is also known for its dams. There are five in Igatpuri tehsil alone. Hence, we are also planning to promote dam tourism in Nashik and we are working on how it can be done. We are also planning to promote wine tourism in Nashik and we are chalking out a plan.