Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are two very popular and picturesque hill stations in Maharashtra with a rich heritage of history, and nature, that has not been fully recognized. 

At a national press conference held at the national secretariat of ACOHI Asia in Pune, the Asian Countries Chamber of Hospitality Industry (ACOHI) named Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani as the upcoming international destinations for tourism, leisure travel, and medical tourism. Numerous national and international dignitaries were present at the conference.

Given its proximity to Pune, Mumbai, and Kolhapur, the region will be developed in terms of destination tourism, destination weddings, and heritage tourism, as well as national and international medical tourism and education tourism. 

All the major and chosen hotels will be trained and certified to handle international clients in terms of international food, hygiene, safety, tourism, language, etiquette, nature, and many other aspects. There are plans to classify hotels according to their standards and connect them with various international embassies of different countries, allowing international tourists to visit and stay in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani alongside local and state tourists from India.

 Speaking to the media, Chairman & BOG Chief Dr. Sanee Awsarmmel said that India is gifted with heavenly locations, thus there will be much less need to travel outside if we create our own tourist attractions that are furnished with all necessary amenities to serve both domestic and foreign tourists. 

He continued that it was necessary to promote and position such places on the national and international map along with hand-holding with State & Local Tourism Ministries & Departments to the Hospitality Industry sectors of all cadres of that particular State & City which will be done exclusively now by ACOHI.