Airbnb partners with Maharashtra government to boost domestic, international tourism
CM Devendra Fadnavis at the MoU signing with Airbnb
In a first of its kind partnership, Airbnb on Wednesday signed an agreement with Maharashtra Tourism and Culture department to boost tourism for domestic and international visitors in the state.
Airbnb is one of the largest online marketplace and hospitality service providers in the world. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Maharashtra tourism will be promoted through Airbnb’s global platform.
The network of quality home-stays will be expanded in the state and joint skills development workshops for hosts on hospitality standards within the next six months will be held.
“In Airbnb, we have found a like-minded partner who is keen to collaborate in growing tourism in Maharashtra,” state Tourism minister Jaykumar Rawal told reporters.
“Through this partnership we aim to create at least 50,000 micro-entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector in the next five years, build the home-stay ecosystem in the state and improve hospitality standards of home-stay owners,” said the minister.
The state government will also jointly promote the destinations across 8-10 districts of Maharashtra in the coming year, he added.
Airbnb will share a portion of its booking revenue in Maharashtra with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), Airbnb Country Manager, India, Amanpreet Bajaj said.
MTDC will support the partnership by identifying high-quality home-stays and helping hosts to list on Airbnb.
“Witnessed signing of MoU between GoM and Airbnb to support #VisitMaharashtra 2017 as an alternative accommodation partner. This first of its kind partnership by will boost tourism by creating positive travel experiences,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted after the signing.
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