The Maharashtra Government’s Tourism Department convened a high-level review meeting to chart the course for the much-anticipated ‘Indo-Korean Cultural Festival 2026’, slated to be held at the iconic Gateway of India, Mumbai. The meeting was chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism), Government of Maharashtra, Shri Sanjay Khandare (IAS), followed by a formal proposal submitted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea. Discussions during the meeting were constructive and forward-looking.
The review meeting brought together key officials, including the Directorate of Tourism’s, Director, Shri. Mangesh Joshi (IAS), Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation’s Managing Director, Shri. Neelesh Gatne (IAS), and the Department of Tourism’s Deputy Secretary, Shri. Santosh Rokade and senior representatives from the Cultural Department.
The momentum behind this year’s festival draws significantly from the overwhelming public response to ‘K-Harmony Festa 2025’, held in Mumbai last year. Building on that success, the Tourism Department is now focused on staging a larger, more ambitious edition, one that can meaningfully elevate Maharashtra’s profile on the international tourism map.
At the meeting, Shri. Kyeongbeom Kim of the Korean Consulate General delivered a detailed presentation outlining the festival’s concept and vision. The core objective, as articulated during the session, is to deepen cultural ties between India and the Republic of Korea while giving a tangible boost to the state’s tourism sector and the local economy.
Through this international festival, the aim is to create a vibrant platform that celebrates Korean culture in its full spectrum, traditional and contemporary music, dance, cinema, culinary arts, and the creative industries of both nations. Officials also held in-depth discussions on the logistical and administrative requirements of hosting such a large-scale event at a heritage landmark like the Gateway of India, covering areas such as necessary permits, law and order management, traffic regulation, and coordination with local civic authorities. Officers were directed to initiate immediate action on all fronts.
The Tourism Department expressed confidence that this festival, organised jointly with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, will serve as a significant catalyst for tourism growth in Maharashtra.
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