Ever since the lockdowns lifted, people have been road trippin' across India. State governments have caught on to the trend and launched attractive packages for road trippers. Others have initiated packages to encourage caravan tourism.
Maharashtra is the latest to announce a caravan tourism policy, soon parks in the state will host camper vans, caravans and trailers of all sizes.
The two-part policy &ndash caravan and caravan parks &ndash will allow tourists to enjoy Maharashtra&rsquos natural beauty and other attractions, and is also said to creating local employment opportunities in the tourism sector.
The caravans will be registered under the Commissioner of Transport.
This will allow visitors to park their caravans at MTDC&rsquos surrounding open lands and agri-tourist eco-parks without any hassle. Caravan parks can also come up on the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) guest house areas.
Among all this, you can also live in caravans that are set up just for you. Remodelled and redesigned, each of these caravans will be different from the other.
You can choose from single axle conventional caravans, twin axle caravans, tent trailers and folding caravans. Each of these will have a washroom, kitchen, bed and a sofa.
Help will always be a call away for senior citizens and differently-abled at the tourist facility centre.
Read A House on Wheels
Under the policy, tour operators will get benefits such as a waiver of stamp and electricity duties, and a GST refund for tour operators. The caravans and caravan parks will have to be registered with the tourism directorate, which will train their promoters in marketing, management and hygiene aspects. You can registers yourself online and keep on renewing the membership at an affordable cost.
Keeping in mind safety measures and protocols for COVID-19 such as distancing and isolation, it looks like caravans are set to be a tremendous breakthrough for the pandemic-struck tourism industry.