TravTalk India Online Magazine
Steered by the theme ‘Business. Leisure. Knowledge. Life.’, the fifth edition of Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2018 attracted some 75 foreign and 125 Indian buyers, 70 sellers, and media from around the world.
Inder Raj Ahluwalia
The Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2018 brought two aspects into sharp focus — the sustained hard work of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) and the private sector has yielded positive results, and secondly, this is just the beginning of a march to a strong tourism progression.
Hari Ranjan Rao, Managing Director, MPTB put things into perspective by declaring, “Madhya Pradesh takes tourism seriously. Quick decisions are taken because of a special dedicated cell that acts as a ‘tourism cabinet’.”
Rao further stated that the state has all the tourist attractions visitors could wish for. A third of the state being under forest cover makes wildlife in general, and tigers in particular, a huge attraction. “There are nine national parks, 25 wildlife sanctuaries and six tiger parks. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Khajuraho, Sanchi and Bhimbekhta are also gaining in popularity, as is religious tourism,” he informed.
The increased participation of Madhya Pradesh in overseas roadshows has received an overwhelming response
The increased participation of Madhya Pradesh in overseas roadshows has received good response. And a large number of brands are coming to the state. As part of their ‘opening up’, the state has a policy of giving heritage properties to private players.
According to Bhavana Walimbe, Additional MD, MPTB, several new tourism products have been introduced. “City walks are organised across the state to enlighten participants about local history, heritage and cuisine. Tourism quiz programmes are conducted to educate school children. ‘Cycle safaris’ and ‘heritage runs’ have been started. Several large water bodies have been opened up for tourism. A ‘museum of music’ is also in the offing. The state is gaining ground as a film shooting locale. We have also taken a lead in promoting adventure tourism and are ready to host the high-potential AdventureNext from December 10-12, 2018,” he revealed.
Capt Swadesh Kumar, President, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), stated that AdventureNext would provide a big boost to the state and get international adventure tour operators coming to India for the first time. Apart from the Indian adventure segment, the state would also benefit from the event.
PP Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), stated that there were now daily additions to the group of travel players, and events like the MP Travel Mart provided an opportunity to meet everyone. He felt that domestic tourism has to be further promoted in India, and MP Tourism deserves credit for this. The state is now among the top states in promoting tourism into India. Khanna further advocated the concept of holding domestic travel marts.
All indications suggest that Madhya Pradesh is making strong progression in the field of tourism, and the future appears bright.
MP Attractions
- There are nine national parks, 25 wildlife sanctuaries and six tiger parks. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Khajuraho, Sanchi and Bhimbekhta are also gaining in popularity, as is religious tourism
