New Delhi ,January 12, 2018: The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation organised Jio Mumbai Shopping Festival 2018 was today inaugurated by its Brand Ambassador, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra at the sprawling Jio Gardens, in the presence of august guests including Shri Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Coal, Government of India, the Guests of Honour.
MTDC established in the year 1956 has come a long way from the inception and has been involved in the development and maintenance of the various tourist activities in the State of Maharashtra. The Jio Mumbai Shopping Festival 2018 is already one of the biggest initiatives by MTDC and are determined to make it make it even bigger in the coming years.
The opening ceremony showcased powerhouse live performances by Rekha Bhardwaj, an award-winning Indian singer and live performer – who sings in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and Punjabi; “Morya”, a group/band playing Traditional Percussion Instruments (i.e. Dhol, Taasha etc…) based on typical Puneri theme, and Varun & Shivani, India’s favorite contemporary duo who won millions of hearts with their breathtaking lifts and tricks and unique contemporary moves on Indian television; to set forth the mood of this scintillating evening.
Speaking at the inauguration, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, “It gives me great pleasure to inaugurate India’s first ever citywide festival, the Jio Mumbai Shopping Festival 2018. It is another attempt by your government to improve the quality of life of its citizens. It is a feather in the cap of Maharashtra that such a vast initiative should be conceptualized and then created in our state. It is by far the most inclusive effort undertaken by anyone to involve citizens at multiple locations and it is our belief that the Jio Mumbai Shopping Festival, in the years to come, will become a destination to visit for global travelers. This platform also provides a stage to small entrepreneurs and craftsmen to showcase their talent. On the behalf of my government, I extend a warm welcome to the traders and others who are participating in Mumbai Shopping Festival”.
In lieu of the recent notification by the Government of Maharashtra where shops and establishments can now stay open 24X7, the Ministry of Tourism and MTDC will set up The MSF Night Bazaar – Mumbai’s first ever Night Bazaar Flea Market which will go on till 4am on weekends only. This will ensure that citizens derive the maximum benefit of the Mumbai Shopping Festival thereby showing that Mumbaikars truly go all out and celebrate #MumBuyKar.
“India’s travel and tourism sector ranks 7th in the world in terms of its total contribution to the country’s GDP, according to the report of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). 2018 is undoubtedly going to positively boost tourism in Maharashtra – one of the key sectors for growth in the country. As one of the leading fashion and financial capitals, Mumbai, is the perfect destination to host – this larger than life extravaganza. Our aim is to establish this event on a global platform as one of the most sought after and visiting shopping and cultural festivals of the world. This is already one of the biggest initiatives by MTDC and we are determined to make it make it even bigger in the coming years,” adds Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Minister of Tourism & (EGS), Government of Maharashtra
Adding to the festivities, the Mumbai Shopping Festival will also showcase MSF Khao Galli – Mumbai’s first ever Food Truck Zones set up in different areas over the weekends. Tourists and citizens of Mumbai will love every bit of the customer-centric vibrancy and magic that will be brought alive by this unique experience.
There will be multiple events across the city, every weekend throughout the festival. Mumbai will see over 500 performances in multiple stages across 13 different locations including Crawford Market; Worli Sea Face; Bandra Bandstand; Shivaji Park; Goregaon; Talao Pali, Thane; Kalyan; Juhu Beach; Vashi Railway station; Kharghar and Kandivali amongst others.
To enhance visibility of the Mumbai Shopping Festival, MTDC has teamed up with various retail and commerce bodies including – The Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry; Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry; The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India; Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council; National Real Estate Development Council; Retailers Association of India; Indian Bullion & Jewellers Association Ltd; and Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association.
Shopping partners for the Mumbai Shopping Festival 2018 include major malls and retail chains in Mumbai.
