Tourism dept plans to develop MICE hub in Nashik

Nashik: The state tourism department is planning to develop a dedicated Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) hub in Nashik, positioning the city along with similar hubs proposed in Navi Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur.The proposal is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the state's presence in the fast-growing MICE sector and attract high-value domestic and international events to boost the tourism sector in these four major cities of the state.Tourism minister Shambhuraj Desai, responding to a question raised by MLC Satej Patil and others in the Legislative Council, informed that the govt has initiated steps to establish MICE-focused infrastructure across four major urban centres. As part of this plan, the tourism department has formally requested the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) to provide suitable land within city limits for developing the proposed hub.Officials said the govt aims to leverage Nashik's geographical advantage, expanding connectivity, upcoming Kumbh-related infrastructure, and its growing hospitality and food-processing ecosystem to transform it into a preferred venue for high-impact conferences and exhibitions.The development of a MICE zone is also expected to strengthen Nashik's economic prospects by generating year-round business travel, employment opportunities and ancillary commercial activity.To drive the initiative, the state has also established a dedicated MICE Bureau, the first of its kind in Maharashtra, which will coordinate planning, promotion and investment for MICE-focused tourism infrastructure. The bureau is expected to work closely with municipal bodies, industry stakeholders and urban development authorities to fast-track project approvals and streamline long-term planning.