Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government has appointed Vikas Maruti Pansare (IAS:2014:MH) as the new Director of the Directorate of Tourism, entrusting the senior bureaucrat with the responsibility of steering the state’s tourism sector and implementing key initiatives aimed at boosting Maharashtra’s position as a leading domestic and international travel destination.
Pansare succeeds Mangesh Joshi (IAS) as Director of Tourism.
The appointment was announced on Friday, marking another significant administrative assignment for the 2014-batch IAS officer, who has served in multiple departments of the Maharashtra Government over the years.
From MSME Leadership to Tourism Department
Before his latest appointment, Vikas Pansare was serving as the Managing Director of the Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd. (MSSIDC), a post he had held since September 16, 2025.
During his tenure at MSSIDC, he worked on strengthening Maharashtra’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) ecosystem through initiatives such as the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Programme. He also represented the state at various trade and investment summits aimed at promoting industrial growth.
Prior to joining MSSIDC, Pansare served as Additional Divisional Commissioner, Konkan Division, Mumbai, besides holding several other administrative assignments across different departments of the state government.
Will Lead Maharashtra’s Tourism Push
As the new Director of Tourism, Pansare will oversee the implementation of Maharashtra’s tourism policies and development programmes.
His responsibilities include:
- Promoting Maharashtra as a preferred domestic and international tourism destination.
- Accelerating sustainable tourism development across the state.
- Strengthening tourism infrastructure and visitor experiences.
- Enhancing Maharashtra’s visibility in global tourism markets.
- Coordinating tourism promotion initiatives with various government departments and stakeholders.
The appointment comes as Maharashtra continues to focus on expanding its tourism economy by promoting heritage, religious, eco-tourism, coastal tourism and adventure tourism destinations.
Experienced Administrator
Born on June 6, 1973, Vikas Maruti Pansare holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agriculture.
Unlike direct UPSC recruits, he entered the Indian Administrative Service through promotion from the Maharashtra State Civil Service and was inducted into the 2014 batch of the Maharashtra cadre.
Over more than a decade in public administration, he has handled responsibilities in industrial development, regional administration and government policy implementation, earning experience across diverse sectors.
With his appointment as Director of Tourism, the Maharashtra Government expects to strengthen tourism governance, promote sustainable development and improve the state’s competitiveness in India’s growing tourism sector.
Read also: Maharashtra Govt Transfers 5 IAS Officers; Mangesh Joshi Takes Charge as Tourism Director
