Pune: India, with its diverse natural beauty, historic landmarks, and spiritual heritage, holds immense potential as a global tourist destination, said Gauri Apte, a senior official from the Ministry of Tourism, during the inauguration of the Fifth Pune Tourism Festival.

The three-day event, organized by the Bharatiya Paryatan Vikas Co-Op Society in collaboration with "Captain Nilesh Journey with Wings," was inaugurated on Friday (January 17) at Hotel Central Park, Shivajinagar.

The festival celebrates the tourism legacy of Maharashtra and India, featuring exhibits on forts, historic sites, and lesser-known destinations. Nearly 50 tourism companies are participating, offering both domestic and international travel packages. The event aims to encourage travel enthusiasts and promote Maharashtra’s untapped tourism potential. It is open to the public for free until Sunday, January 19.

During the event, Apte emphasized the need for innovative approaches to develop underexplored tourist destinations, citing the rock carvings of Konkan as a prime example. She stated that the Ministry of Tourism is committed to encouraging domestic tourism and developing new tourist sites across India.

Deputy Director of Tourism Shama Pawar highlighted the significance of Maharashtra's forts and heritage sites, urging travelers to explore local destinations. She added that while Maharashtra has a wealth of tourism assets, many remain unpublicized or lack proper infrastructure. "The government is taking steps to bring such locations into the limelight and improve facilities," she said.

The festival also included the launch of the book Mazi Mushafiri by Captain Nilesh Gaikwad. Features such as hourly lucky draws and grand daily prizes are expected to add excitement to the event.

The program commenced with a welcome speech by Pravin Ghorpade, followed by remarks from Prathamesh Kulkarni. Sarang Bhide hosted the event, and Chandan Pathare delivered the vote of thanks.