The second day of the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart witnessed a dynamic panel discussion on “Fostering Inter-State Tourism Collaboration”, featuring tourism officials from Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. The session explored joint strategies to position Central India as a unified tourism hub, blending heritage, spirituality, ecology, and adventure.
Speaking at the session, Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism, Culture and Religious Trusts, said, “The future of tourism lies in partnership. Together, our culturally and ecologically connected states can create shared circuits and experiences that will give Central India a new identity on both domestic and global platforms.”
He added that Madhya Pradesh, being geographically and culturally central to India, has the natural potential to lead this collaborative tourism growth. “Moving together is far more impactful than moving alone,” he emphasized.
Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism & Culture) and Managing Director, MP Tourism Board, highlighted that Madhya Pradesh is fast emerging as a diverse, multi-dimensional and offbeat destination, known for its heritage, wildlife, adventure, art, craft, and culinary traditions. He proposed collaborative projects such as the Ram Van Path Gaman Circuit with Chhattisgarh, and the Jyotirlinga Circuit with Maharashtra, along with potential tie-ups in Tiger Corridors, Film Tourism, and Eco-tourism.
Shri Yuvraj Padole, Deputy Director, MP Tourism Board, shared that the state houses 498 monuments protected by the Department of Archaeology, 290 protected by the ASI, 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and 15 sites in the tentative list. He also noted that Gwalior and Bhopal have been recognized by UNESCO as Creative Cities for Music and Literature, respectively.
The grandeur of medieval cities like Mandu, Orchha, Chanderi, Burhanpur, and Khajuraho, he said, continues to captivate visitors with their historical charm.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
- Madhya Pradesh–Rajasthan Collaboration:
Joint initiatives are underway to develop the two states as a shared inbound tourism circuit, focusing on cross-border tourism infrastructure, sustainable destination development, and integrated promotion of heritage architecture under the Heritage Conservation Project. - Madhya Pradesh–Chhattisgarh Collaboration:
Shri Neelu Sharma, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, proposed co-branded campaigns to showcase tribal culture, wildlife, heritage, and handicrafts, aimed at boosting cultural exchange and international visibility.
Shri Vivek Acharya, MD, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, highlighted the need for interstate MoUs to address tourist issues at border toll plazas and suggested forming an interstate WhatsApp group of tourism boards for better coordination. - Madhya Pradesh–Maharashtra Corridor:
Shri Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, General Manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development, suggested reviving the tourism corridor between the two states, along with exchange tours and best practice programs. He also proposed a joint wildlife circuit linking the two regions. - Madhya Pradesh–Telangana Synergy:
Shri Srinivas Banda, MD, Telangana Project Consultants Pvt. Ltd., recommended collaboration in medical, wildlife, and religious tourism, while Shri Fraz Malik, PMU Consultant, Telangana Government, emphasized the need to develop customized tourism segments and explore setting up a tourism college jointly.
Industry stakeholders including Shri Prateek Hira, Chairman, FICCI-UP State Council, and Shri Mahendra Pratap Singh, Chairman, IATO Madhya Pradesh Chapter, also shared their perspectives on strengthening Central India’s tourism ecosystem through policy alignment, technology integration, and community engagement.
With its rich confluence of heritage circuits, tiger reserves, spiritual trails, and eco-tourism potential, the collaborative roadmap unveiled at the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2025 is poised to transform Central India into the next big tourism hub of the country.
