Mumbai: Ola, India’s most popular mobile app for transportation, today announced an exclusive partnership with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation to promote tourism in the state. With 2017 declared as the ‘Visit Maharashtra’ year by the honorable Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, the tourism department has undertaken various initiatives to develop Maharashtra as a tourism brand. Ola, in support of these initiatives, has launched a unique sub-category – ‘Mumbai Darshan’ under its Rentals offering, for guided city tours to hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting Mumbai every year.

The customizable package involves 10-hour or 100kms rides to 10 Mumbai hot spots such as Juhu Beach, Mannat, Haji Ali, Marine Drive, Gateway of India, and Siddhivinayak, among others, where tourists can ride with Ola for experiences unique to the mega city. To ensure that tourists experience the very best, Ola, together with the Tourism Department, will help driver partners to develop skills and learn more about the famous landmarks of Mumbai, including history, and culture, among others.

The first batch of exclusively co-branded Mumbai Darshan and Maharashtra Tourism cars were flagged-off by the Minister of Tourism – Government of Maharashtra Shri. Jayakumar Rawal, alongwith Smt. Valsa Nair Singh, Principal Secretary-Tourism, and Shri Pranay Jivrajka, Founding Partner at Ola, at an event in Mumbai on April 12, 2017.

Commenting on the association, Shri. Jaykumar Rawal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said, “Keeping in mind the global trends and the boom in the digital market scenario, we are glad to partner with Ola. Transportation is one of the most important areas where technology can make a big difference. Ola is a pioneer in public transport space and we are confident that this tie up will benefit the entire transportation ecosystem in the state. This not only lets us be more competitive as a tourism destination but will also help us position Maharashtra as a smart state.”

Smt. Valsa Nair Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Government of Maharashtra stated, “We are pleased to be associated with Ola and our aim is to create job and opportunities and safer transportation choices for people in Maharashtra. We are confident that Ola will actively take ahead Maharashtra government’s vision of transforming the state into a smart tourism hub. Tourists visiting Maharashtra will be able to avail the benefits of Ola’s technology and best in class service to visit some of the most prominent tourist destinations across the state.”

Speaking about the partnership, Pranay Jivrajka, Founding Partner at Ola said, “Maharashtra continues to be one of the most favoured tourist and investment destinations in India. With such a huge economic potential, the scope to provide customized and curated mobility services is truly enormous. We are delighted and humbled to have been recognized by the Maharashtra Government for our efforts. Mumbai and several other coastal towns and cities in Maharashtra promise an unparalleled experience to its visitors, and we are thrilled to be powering a mission that is working towards serving millions of such unforgettable experiences with our mobility offering present across Maharashtra. Nothing gives us more pride as an Indian company, than to enable the opportunity to showcase our rich culture and history to hundreds of thousands of people, using our platform.”

Maharashtra ranks as one of the leading states that attracts the most number of tourists, a whopping 12.9 million (as of 2014) travelers both, domestic and international. With this opportunity to serve millions, Ola’s focus on such initiatives, in tandem with the state, will only grow in the coming months. Additionally, Ola’s presence in 9 cities in the state (Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Amravati, Kolhapur, Solapur, and Nagpur) will provide a wider reach to tourists.

In the coming months, Ola will work towards enhancing the offering with additions such as a customized tourist map of the city, curated lists of tourist attractions and things to do, among others.