The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has planned to outsource as many as 30 of its properties in the state, particularly on the coastal belt, to private players to promote tourism at these sites. The public-private partnerships, which will be based on a revenue-sharing model, will help MTDC provide better tourist facilities at these spots, some of which are virgin beaches on the Konkan coast, such as Erangal, Mithbav, Kunkeshwar, Kashid, Surekhar and Alibaug.

Jagdish Patil, managing director, MTDC, said, "We will also help private players investing in MTDC's properties to get permissions from various government departments, raising funds from different institutes, and support in acquisition of land, among other things. We will float the Expression of Interest tenders, after which private investors will give us their proposals." 

Patil added that 50% of MTDC's resorts are already outsourced. "Any government, no matter how rich it is, cannot provide all the tourist facilities on its own. Partnership with the private sector is essential to generate revenue, build quality infrastructure and promote tourism," he said.

Another MTDC official added that private players will have attractive plans to promote tourism at these places. "The public sector has certain limitations in terms of lack of manpower and the like. The public-private partnership will help create more tourist facilities in areas with tourist potential. The aim is to develop and promote tourist places - such as spots along the Konkan coast - to people outside Maharashtra. The corporation will choose the most viable partnership," he said.

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