In order to promote Agro Tourism in Maharashtra, Lifeline Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd (LTTPL), a Pune-based travel company, plans to set-up luxury and budget accommodation units near Bhatghar Dam, located at around 60 kilometres from Pune.
As per the plan, LTTPL has acquired 12 acres of land near the aforementioned dam and is constructing around 20 accommodation units for Agro Tourism. The company is aiming to set-up four to five luxury houses for catering to the high-end segment and 15 budget-segment units that will include tented accommodation, bamboo houses and dormitories.
Talking about the initiative, Jeevan Hendre, Director, LTTPL and Treasurer, ETAA – Pune Chapter, said, “To cater to the growing demands from tourists wanting to indulge in niche tourism activities, we initiated the concept of Agro Tourism, for which Bhatghar Dam is a prime location. The total cost of the project is around Rs 1.5 crore and until now we have spent Rs 55 lakh to build the necessary accommodation units that should be completed in the next five years. With this initiative, we are catering to the high-end and budget segments, and families and students from the domestic market. We also aim to partner with educational institutes to promote Agro Tourism.”
Besides, the company also plans to launch an online booking portal to support Agro Tourism and to offer the accommodation units for video-shooting as well. LTTPL will price the packages at Rs 4,000–Rs 6,000 for luxury housing, Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000 for budget accommodation and Rs 800–Rs 1,200 for students.
Commenting on the association of LTTPL with the Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA), Hendre said, “We are always thankful to ETAA and team for maintaining a strong network. The association helps us by sending news updates and in maintaining relationships with other travel and tour operators in various states.”