The Government of Maharashtra has appointed Mangesh Joshi, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as the new Director of the Directorate of Tourism as part of a recent bureaucratic reshuffle. He assumed charge at the Directorate of Tourism in Mumbai on April 21, 2026.
Joshi takes over at a time when the state is focusing on strengthening its tourism positioning, both domestically and internationally, with renewed emphasis on policy execution and destination promotion.
Prior to this role, he served as Deputy Director General at Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA) in Pune, where he was involved in administrative training, governance frameworks and capacity building. His experience in administrative reforms and strategic planning is expected to support Maharashtra’s tourism development initiatives.
Speaking after assuming office, Joshi said the immediate priority would be the effective implementation of existing tourism policies while promoting Maharashtra’s destinations at a global level. He added that the state aims to position itself as a unique and safe destination on the global tourism map, with a strong focus on sustainable tourism and local employment generation.
He further noted that upcoming initiatives will focus on preserving and promoting the state’s key tourism assets, including historic forts, the expansive Konkan coastline, eco-tourism destinations and cultural heritage, supported by modern infrastructure and visitor amenities.
