Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is working on initiatives to connect the state’s natural, spiritual, and cultural heritage with major religious destinations in Uttar Pradesh, such as Prayagraj, Ayodhya, and Varanasi.
A key focus is the development of the Ganga-Narmada Tourism Corridor, which aims to enhance tourism collaborations between the two states and provide visitors with a rich and diverse experience.
Principal Secretary, Tourism Sheo Shekhar Shukla, outlined the state's strategic vision for tourism development and its economic impact at the Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025 in New Delhi.
He said the Madhya Pradesh government is actively encouraging investment in tourism infrastructure. Efforts are underway to strengthen ties with travel agents, tour operators, and hospitality stakeholders from Uttar Pradesh through industry workshops and collaborative promotions.
As part of this initiative, FAM (familiarization) tours are being organized and targeted promotional campaigns are being carried out in cities such as Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kanpur, and Agra.
Tourists traveling to Uttar Pradesh will have convenient access to Madhya Pradesh’s major attractions. For example, visitors arriving in Prayagraj can continue their journey via Rewa to explore its scenic landscapes, visit the Maihar Mata temple, and witness the breathtaking Dhuandhar Waterfalls and Bhedaghat in Jabalpur.
Similarly, those visiting Varanasi for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple can also experience the spiritual magnificence of Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlingas in Madhya Pradesh. Moreover, the Ram Path Gaman corridor is being developed to seamlessly link Chitrakoot with Ayodhya.”
Shukla highlighted that tourism currently contributes around 3-3.5% to Madhya Pradesh’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The state aims to increase this to 4-5% by 2028 and further to 8-10% by 2047.
“Tourism is a significant driver of economic growth and employment,” he stated. “An investment of INR 10 lakh in the tourism sector generates nearly 90 direct and indirect job opportunities, a figure considerably higher than in other industries. Our goal is to leverage tourism to create sustainable livelihoods and economic benefits for the people of Madhya Pradesh.”
