Madhya Pradesh, a land proudly boasting lush natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural heritage, is undeniably a Multispecialty offbeat destination of first choice. The state beckons travellers from every nook and cranny paving the way to a surge in tourism. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is now gearing up for an even more ambitious target in 2025. The state unveils a comprehensive plan focusing on cruise tourism, safe tourism destinations for women, wellness and medical tourism, textile tourism, rural tourism and niche to boost tourism further and establish Madhya Pradesh as a global destination.
Principal Secretary Tourism, Culture and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department and Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Sheo Shekhar Shukla said Madhya Pradesh is an ideal location for film shoots. The state's transparent filming process, government support, and attractive incentives encourage filmmakers to return for future projects. The state gained significant cinematic recognition as a captivating backdrop for several major film projects, including Stree 2 and Laapataa Ladies, which showcased the state's diverse landscapes and its growing appeal to filmmakers.
Key Highlights of Madhya Pradesh's Tourism Plans in the year 2025.
Madhya Pradesh is set to launch India's first inter-state cruise route connecting Meghnath Ghat (Kukshi) and Sakarja in Madhya Pradesh with Hafeshwar and Mokhadi in Gujarat. The 120 km long route promises a thrilling adventure amidst tranquil and scenic beauty. A state-of-the-art solar-powered cruise terminal is being constructed in Sakarja offering outstanding connectivity with major cities.
Madhya Pradesh is set to launch India's first inter-state cruise route connecting Meghnath Ghat (Kukshi) and Sakarja in Madhya Pradesh with Hafeshwar and Mokhadi in Gujarat. The 120 km long route promises a thrilling adventure amidst tranquil and scenic beauty. A state-of-the-art solar-powered cruise terminal is being constructed in Sakarja offering outstanding connectivity with major cities.
Unique colors will be seen in the new TVC
As ‘Moh Liya Re’ starring Pankaj Tripathi captured nationwide attention in 2024, another TVC featuring international Sitar adroit Anoushka Shankar is in the pipeline to enhance international appeal. Additionally, a comprehensive Destination Handbook is being curated to showcase the state's captivating attractions. To stay ahead of the curve, Madhya Pradesh embraces technology by creating 360-degree VR videos, audiobooks, and digital tours to engage a wider audience. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will host seasonal Influencer Meets in 2025 to showcase offbeat destinations & create unique travel stories leveraging OTT and digital platforms. Besides Gandhisagar, Chanderi and Kuno, plans are underway to launch new tourist destinations. As a comprehensive destination promotion program, diverse destination promotional events like year-round tent cities with cultural and adventure activities at Mandu, Orchha, Tamia and others will be implemented.
Efforts in enhancing connectivity, gaining new UNESCO tag
Madhya Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone in heritage preservation. Furthermore, the state is actively pursuing UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the Bhagoria dance, Gond painting, and Narmada Parikrama.
Plans are underway to expand PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Seva with new routes in 2025 by connecting Satna from Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Khajuraho. Bhopal is set to receive a new, world-class convention center worth ₹100 crore is planned near Minto Hall. Orchha's heritage is a priority and the state is committed to preserving Orchha's historical significance while promoting tourism. The central government has allocated ₹100 crore to support sustainable development in the region.
Under Rural Tourism Mission 350 homestays will be operational
350 homestays will be operational under the rural tourism project in 2025, and seven centers will be established under the Responsible Souvenir Initiative. The Clean Destination project will be implemented in five Bandhavgarh villages. Narmada tourism will be expanded through development work in 40 villages and the establishment of 17 homestays. Tourist Facilitation Centers will be launched in six key locations.
New craft villages & Adventure Tourism initiatives to boost tourism & Economy
In partnership with the Ministry of Textiles, the state plans to expand textile tourism initiatives to Maheshwar, Unchehra, and Bherugarh. These villages will showcase traditional weaving and connect visitors with skilled artisans, solidifying Madhya Pradesh's position as a leading destination for textile tourism.
Madhya Pradesh has also established itself as a strong attraction for adventure lovers. In the fourth edition of the Skydiving Festival this year, more than 600 participants are expected to participate till Feb 2025. Apart from developing Ujjain as a skydiving destination, other aero-sport activities like hot air ballooning and paramotoring will also be included at the same location.
2024: A Year of Triumphs for Madhya Pradesh Tourism
In 2024, Madhya Pradesh emerged as a shining star in Indian tourism. The state achieved international acclaim including the largest Hindustani classical music ensemble of 546-artist at the 100th Tansen Samaroh, Gita Mahotsav in Bhopal, Damru performance consisting of 1500 players in Ujjain and Kathak performance of 1484 dancers at Khajuraho Dance Festival which not only showcased the state's artistic prowess but also set new Guinness World Records. Madhya Pradesh's cultural significance gained further recognition with the addition of six new sites to India's tentative UNESCO World Heritage list. Notably, Orchha, a historical gem, was nominated for the prestigious permanent list. Another pioneering step in promoting textile tourism with India's first 'Craft Handloom Tourism Villages' in Pranpur. Furthermore, the inauguration of 'Amaltas, ' the state’s first women-run hotel, promoted gender inclusivity and provided employment opportunities for women in the hospitality sector. The state's commitment to sustainable tourism received a significant boost with the inauguration of the Sarsi Island Resort. Taking a significant step towards providing convenient transportation for tourists, India’s first intrastate air service PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Seva was launched in the state. Through the Safe Tourism project, a significant impact was made by sensitizing 25, 000 individuals to tourism-related opportunities. Skill training for more than 8, 100 women and self-defence training for more than 36, 000 women have empowered them for employment. Over half of these trained individuals have already secured jobs and activities like tourist handling and caretaking training and employer sensitization is undergoing to create more employment opportunities. Under the Responsible Tourism Mission 312 homestays registered so far. The development of Gandhisagar tent city, Chanderi eco retreat as year-round tent city with cultural programs to promote new and offbeat destinations of the state was another achievement. The culmination of these efforts was evident in the prestigious Travel and Tourism Conclave, where Madhya Pradesh was honoured with the esteemed 'Best Tourism State of the Year' award.