Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Pune Tourism Branding Plan Puts Heritage and Culture First
Tourism experts met in Pune to discuss how to attract more visitors.
Bharat Langhi said Pune should promote its old buildings, history and culture.
He also said the city needs better roads, transport, clean facilities and safe places to stay.
The speakers discussed many types of tourism, including caves, forts, farms, villages, sports and wellness.
They said Pune’s nearby areas also have many places worth visiting.
Government offices and private companies will need to work together.
Better information in different languages could help foreign tourists.
The group also discussed government support schemes for new tourism businesses and startups.
Bharat Langhi said Pune’s heritage and culture should anchor efforts to build its global tourism brand.
Speakers called for faster, higher-quality infrastructure, safe accommodation, transport, sanitation and cleanliness.
Potential tourism areas include Buddhist caves, Satavahana heritage, forts, adventure, wellness, agri-tourism and rural tourism.
Participants said government and private-sector cooperation is needed to address infrastructure, transport and safety challenges.
The symposium highlighted incentives for tourism businesses, women and startups, and honored an agri-tourism center for its work.
- Who
- Bharat Langhi, tourism officials, private tourism operators and tourism experts, including Nilesh Bhansali, Manoj Hadwale and Dr Santosh Suryavanshi.
- What
- A tourism symposium discussed branding Pune and Maharashtra through heritage, culture and varied tourism offerings.
- When
- September 19; the article identifies the event as taking place on a Saturday but does not provide a year.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra, at a symposium jointly organized by the Pune Festival and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.
- Why
- To develop Pune as a major tourism destination and attract domestic and foreign visitors through better branding, infrastructure and coordination.
- Main branding focus
- Pune’s ancient heritage, history and culture
- Tourism opportunities
- Heritage, adventure, health, sports, archaeology, forts, caves, dams, agri-tourism and rural tourism
- Infrastructure priorities
- Accommodation, transport, sanitation, cleanliness and safety
- Government policy
- The Central Government’s tourism policy was announced in 2020, with implementation underway
- Employment potential
- Langhi said one in every 10 jobs is linked to tourism
- Regional example
- Junnar was identified as a potential hub for Buddhist caves and Satavahana-era heritage
- Recognition
- Anandamala Agri Tourism Center received an award for its agri-tourism work