TravTalk India Online Magazine
With its rich cultural heritage, thriving wildlife, and investor-friendly policies, Madhya Pradesh is setting a benchmark for sustainable tourism and investment. As the state continues to expand its tourism infrastructure and attract global investors, it is poised to become one of India’s leading destinations for travellers and businesses alike.
Janice Alyosius
Madhya Pradesh presents a vast potential for tourism investments. Speaking at the Global Investors Summit (GIS) recently, Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, highlighted the state’s enhanced air connectivity. “Regular air services are being operated in Madhya Pradesh to enhance tourist confidence. In addition to affordable air travel for general passengers, Madhya Pradesh also provides free ambulance services for Ayushman Card holders,” he said.
Tourism investments
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, Government of India, highlighted tourism as one of India’s key growth sectors, alongside technology and textiles. “By 2047, tourism’s contribution to India’s GDP is expected to exceed 10 per cent,” he said, attributing the sector’s rapid expansion to increased domestic tourism and rising middle-class spending power, driven by income tax relief measures.
Considering these factors, Madhya Pradesh holds immense potential for investment in the tourism sector. Shekhawat said the state stands at the gateway of vast opportunities and investments in the state would yield strong returns. Encouraging investors to seize this opportunity, he said, “If I were not in politics, I would have been doing business in the tourism sector today.”
Madhya Pradesh secured investment proposals worth `4,468 crore in the tourism and hospitality sector during GIS. These investments aim to expand infrastructure in key areas, such as cruise tourism, film production, hotels & resorts, water parks, golf courses and ultra-mega projects. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) signed six key agreements in the presence of Shekhawat and Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trust and Endowment, Government of Madhya Pradesh.
Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowment Department, and Managing Director, MPTB, outlined the state’s investment potential. He explained the advantages of Tourism Policy 2025 and Film Tourism Policy 2025. “We aim to attract discerning travellers by prioritising low-volume, high-value tourism, offering tranquil destinations for rejuvenation and promoting inclusive, sustainable travel,” he said.
Gaining industry confidence
Industry leaders echoed confidence in Madhya Pradesh’s tourism potential. Rohit Khosla, Executive Vice President – Operations, North and West India, The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), said that the company, which operates nine hotels in MP, has signed an MoU for six more and plans to add 11 additional properties while preserving the state’s history, nature, and wildlife.Ilayaraja T, Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC), highlighted the state’s appeal across religious, heritage, wildlife and nature-based tourism.
