Mumbai: To encourage people to vote, especially during the upcoming civic polls in the state, the state tourism department has announced 25% discount at hotels across all destinations to only those who will show proof of having voted.
The move, said Mantralaya sources, was aimed at curbing the general practice among educated professionals to move out of the city on polling day by clubbing that day with adjoining leaves or weekends. However, people who visit government and private resorts are skeptical as to how to identify the voter as there have been instances of people indulging in fake voting.
In the past, civic polls in the state have seen very poor turnouts as compared to general or assembly elections. The move is to increase participation of people in local body elections. So to get this discount, said a tourism official, one will have to show his/her voter identity card along with a receipt that one gets at the polling booth after voting.
"This special initiative is to create voting awareness among tourists in the state. A meeting was held with hoteliers and restaurant associations, tour operators in the state and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation incentive scheme holders. The main aim is to ensure stakeholder's active participation to educate and spread information about the upcoming civic elections (2016-2017) and in turn guarantee maximum voter turnout," said an MTDC official.
"We have suggested that stakeholders promote this campaign by placing signs and banners around their vicinity, showcasing the importance of voting. Our aim is to create responsible voters who will make use of Election Day as a holiday only after sharing their prestigious vote... Through this initiative MTDC desires to make upcoming elections a grand success," he added.
Swati Kale, the general manager of MTDC, said, "State Election Commission of Maharashtra is going to conduct elections between November 2016 and February 2017. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation will offer 25% discount on stay at MTDC resort only to customers who have voted"
A senior hotel and tour operator said they would be able to implement this only if the government works out a guideline to identify voters who have cast their votes, he said on the condition of anonymity.
The move, said Mantralaya sources, was aimed at curbing the general practice among educated professionals to move out of the city on polling day by clubbing that day with adjoining leaves or weekends. However, people who visit government and private resorts are skeptical as to how to identify the voter as there have been instances of people indulging in fake voting.
In the past, civic polls in the state have seen very poor turnouts as compared to general or assembly elections. The move is to increase participation of people in local body elections. So to get this discount, said a tourism official, one will have to show his/her voter identity card along with a receipt that one gets at the polling booth after voting.
"This special initiative is to create voting awareness among tourists in the state. A meeting was held with hoteliers and restaurant associations, tour operators in the state and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation incentive scheme holders. The main aim is to ensure stakeholder's active participation to educate and spread information about the upcoming civic elections (2016-2017) and in turn guarantee maximum voter turnout," said an MTDC official.
"We have suggested that stakeholders promote this campaign by placing signs and banners around their vicinity, showcasing the importance of voting. Our aim is to create responsible voters who will make use of Election Day as a holiday only after sharing their prestigious vote... Through this initiative MTDC desires to make upcoming elections a grand success," he added.
Swati Kale, the general manager of MTDC, said, "State Election Commission of Maharashtra is going to conduct elections between November 2016 and February 2017. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation will offer 25% discount on stay at MTDC resort only to customers who have voted"
A senior hotel and tour operator said they would be able to implement this only if the government works out a guideline to identify voters who have cast their votes, he said on the condition of anonymity.