Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan has said that 2011-12 will be observed as 'tourism year' and the government would take many initiatives to give boost to the tourism industry in the state.

Speaking at a function of Hotel and Restaurant Association on Thursday, Chavan said his government was according priority to providing basic facilities at tourists spots.

"All tourists spots in the state will be developed. Facilities are being provided for medical tourism and eco-tourism. Various historically important forts as also coastal areas of Konkan would also be developed," he said and added that the need of the hour is to have a single window scheme to give impetus to the sector.

The provision of basic amenities over the next two to three years would also boost the hotel industry in the state, he hoped.

Chavan, however, regretted that there was hardly any coordination between different government departments while developing pilgrimage places in the state. These places are developed through urban development, rural development and tourism, cultural affairs departments and hence there is no co-ordination. Inspite of provision in the budget, there have been no concrete results, he observed.

The state government has now decided that the tourism department should look after development of all pilgrimage places while secretaries of urban development and rural development departments would be inducted on the Board of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

"Maharashtra is blessed with Ashtvinayaks, 5 of 12 Jyotirlingas, seven and half Shaktipeeths, many ancient temples, Churches, Masjids, forts and beautiful shores, which are visited by lakhs of tourists. We have decided to widen roads and provide all basic amenities to these spots," he said.