Madhya Pradesh Tourism recently organised a roadshow in Mumbai to showcase its diverse tourism offerings. The event, attended by celebrities from Bollywood and travel fraternity, showcased what ‘Hindustan ka dil’ had to offer. The campaign followed on the highly successful media campaign that has won several advertising awards.
Over the years, Madhya Pradesh has carved a niche for itself on the tourist map. A recent ASSOCHAM study showed the state recorded the maximum surge in domestic tourism – 380 per cent in the period from 2006 to 2012. The state attracted 5.3 crore domestic tourists in 2012 over 1.1 crore recorded in 2006. Foreign tourist arrivals in the state clocked 2.7 lakh in 2012. MP Tourism aims to further improve these figures.
Madhya Pradesh has something to offer to every tourist – from wildlife and adventure to religious and heritage tourism. With 9 national parks and 25 sanctuaries, the state has enough biodiversity to impress the ecological tourist. Tiger, the majestic animal, finds home in at least four national parks – Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna and Pench- all of which offer luxury accommodation for the discerning traveler. With its majestic forts, palaces and temples, Madhya Pradesh is a microcosm of India’s cultural diversity. From the pre-historic cave paintings at Bhimbetka to the earliest Buddhist architecture at Sanchi to the exquisitely carved 10th century Khajuraho temples, the state boasts several world heritage sites. The forts and palaces of the erstwhile kingdoms of Gwalior, Orchha and Mandu and the Nawabs of Bhopal tell the story of a glorious past. For the spiritual traveler, the state has several ancient temples.
MP Tourism further plans to take the roadshow to several other Indian cities in a phased manner-in the near future.