The inbound tourism market in Madhya Pradesh is set for significant growth as the state prepares to host the 39th Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) from August 30 to September 2, 2024, at the Taj Lakefront in Bhopal. The convention, themed “Resurgent India Inbound,” aims to revitalize and promote inbound tourism to India.
“Madhya Pradesh is an understated tourism destination with abundant possibilities that need to be tapped,” said Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism and Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB). “When IATO members visit, they will see the serenity and richness of our state. Mother Nature has been kind to us, and we have the highest forest cover in the country. We are the tiger state, leopard state, and now cheetah state as well. We also have the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Madhya Pradesh, with 14 sites. Through IATO, we expect discerning travellers from different parts of the world to learn about the tourism potential of Madhya Pradesh.“
Post-COVID, inbound tourism has taken time to return to normal levels in Madhya Pradesh. However, 2023 saw a record increase in domestic tourist footfall, with 115 million tourists compared to 34 million in 2022. The state is actively participating in international trade shows and collaborating with 25 Indian missions abroad to ensure progressive change in inbound tourism. “We are developing destinations like Gandhi Sagar, Kuno, and Chanderi as glamping sites, which we want to promote internationally. Community tourism is also our focus, with the development of rural and tribal homestays. Presently, we have more than 150 functional homestays, and 1,000 are in the making,” Shukla added.
During a press conference in New Delhi, Rajiv Mehra, President of IATO, expressed gratitude to the state government, particularly Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, for supporting the convention.
Ravi Gosain, Vice President of IATO, who will chair the convention, noted that there has been a 20-30 percent increase in international tourist arrivals in states that have hosted IATO conventions in the past. “In a year’s time post-convention, we expect Madhya Pradesh will record improved inbound tourist arrivals,” he stated.
“In the last six days since we opened for registration, we have surpassed 300 registrations. We are hopeful that 1,000 delegates will attend the convention. The Chief Minister has verbally confirmed to inaugurate the function on August 30th. Fifteen states are expected to participate. IATO is also organizing a travel mart – India Tourism Fair – on August 31 and September 1 at the Taj Lakefront,” added Gosain.
IATO is organizing post-convention tours covering destinations like Sanchi, Udayagiri, Bhojpur, Bhimbetka, Ujjain, Satpura National Park, Maheshwar, Mandu, Indore, Pachmarhi, Chanderi, Khajuraho, and Rewa. “We are seeing religious tourism happening on a large scale in places like Gwalior, Mandu, Orchha, and Burhanpur. Sanchi has been a popular destination, and natural destinations like Pachmarhi are also growing in popularity. By organizing 10 post tours, we expect that the participants will be able to promote Madhya Pradesh strongly in international markets,” said Sanjay Razdan, Honorary Secretary of IATO.
Ilayaraja T, Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC), assured IATO members that his department will continue to carry out tourism infrastructure development across the state. Additional Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Bidisha Mukherjee, Viney Tyagi, Honorary Joint Secretary of the association, and Sunil Mishra, Honorary Treasurer of IATO, who is also the co-chair of the annual convention, thanked all the stakeholders working diligently to make the upcoming event a success.