MP Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dharmendra Singh Lodhi emphasized Madhya Pradesh’s significance as the “heart of India,” being centrally located and the second largest state by area.
He highlighted the state’s rich geographical, historical, and natural heritage, along with its culturally diverse population.
A panel discussion session was held on Saturday, second day of the Regional Industry Conclave in Ujjain, on the possibilities in the field of tourism in Madhya Pradesh and for attracting private investment.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture, Tourism, Religious Trusts and Endowments, Dharmendra Singh Lodhi distributed letters of award worth more than Rs 100 crore.
During the session, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dharmendra Singh Lodhi emphasized Madhya Pradesh’s significance as the “heart of India,” being centrally located and the second largest state by area.
He highlighted the state’s rich geographical, historical, and natural heritage, along with its culturally diverse population.
Lodhi underscored the potential for tourism, particularly in heritage, film, adventure, and religious sectors.
He also mentioned the unique experiences available, such as spotting tigers and wildlife at Bandhavgarh National Park and exploring the intricate sculptures of Khajuraho Temple.
The natural beauty of Madhya Pradesh, with its diverse flora and fauna, further adds to its allure.
Khajuraho, Sanchi and Bhimbetka have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Mahakal Lok Corridor has been built in Ujjain.
On the lines of Mahakal Lok, now Shri Ram Rajalok in Orchha, Devilok in Salkanpur, Pashupatinath Lok in Mandsaur, Sant Ravidas Lok in Sagar, Bhadwamata Lok in Neemuch, Shri Hanuman Lok in Jamsanwali, Naganwadi Lok in Barwani and Parshuram Lok in Janapav are being developed to promote religious tourism.
Minister of State Lodhi announced that the state’s tourism policy has been amended to encourage private investment in the tourism sector.
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has been designated as the primary agency to support investors.
A land bank of over one thousand hectares has been established, with allotments made to investors through online tendering.
Additionally, heritage properties, forts, and palaces are being offered on a 90-year lease for the development of heritage hotels.
The department has entered into agreements with 44 investors for tourism projects on 298 hectares of land, with investment proposals totaling approximately Rs 711 crore.
Twelve heritage properties have been leased for conversion into heritage hotels, with an investment of Rs 565 crore.
Applications are currently being accepted for investments exceeding Rs 100 crore for ultra-mega projects across 12 lands in various regions of the state.
Lodhi said that Film Tourism Policy has been implemented to promote promotion and filming in the film sector.
A facilitation cell has been formed for film producers. Financial and non-financial facilities like feature films, TV serials, web series shows, TV serials and documentary shooting, grants for film infrastructure development, are being provided to film producers and additional financial grants are being given to local artistes of the state.
The state has also received the ‘Most Film Friendly State’ award in the year 2020. More than 350 films have been shot in the state.
Minister of State Lodhi said that we are planning to train 10 thousand women for employment and self-employment in the field of tourism through various skill upgradation programmes.
Out of 100 villages/sites selected under the Rural Tourism Project, work is being done in 50 general and 50 tribal dominated villages. Major pilgrimage sites like Omkareshwar and Amarkantak are being developed under the ‘Prasad’ Yojana of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
It was told in the session that ‘Riders in the Wild’, ‘Forsyth Trail Run’, ‘Pachmarhi Trekking’, ‘Ride with Pride’, ‘Tour of Mowgli Land’ related to trekking, cycling, heritage walk, bike safari etc. , Satpura Cycling, Car Rally activities have been organized to promote adventure tourism.
Tourists have been given the experience of sky diving, helicopter joy ride in Orchha and Hanuwantiya.
Licenses are being issued to private investors for motor boats, house boats, cruises, parasailing, speed boats and water sports in 22 water areas for water tourism.
So far, licenses have been given to 32 investors.
To promote the tourism sector of the state, the government is doing extensive publicity through publicity literature, radio, cinema, social media etc., so that Madhya Pradesh becomes a leader in tourism at the national and international level. Rules have been relaxed for private investors to develop tourism projects.
Panel discussion on possibilities and challenges in tourism sector
During the religious tourism and film tourism session, a panel discussion was held on possibilities and challenges in the field of tourism in the state.
The session was attended by Shuchi Trivedi Partner E&Y, Shekharbabu Bachinipalli Chapter Chairman ATOAI, Sumit Suri Secretary Omni Hotels, Pankaj Phulwani MD Renee Power.
They gave suggestions for promoting tourism by sharing experiences in religious, heritage, film and adventure tourism.
Letters of Award distributed
In the session, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism, Religious Trusts and Endowments (Independent Charge) Dharmendra Singh Lodhi distributed letters of awards from the stage itself to the tenderers investing in the tourism sector.
In the session, Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, Ilaiah Raja T. welcomed the investors and guests and told about the work plans of the Tourism Department.
Additional Managing Director Vivek Shrotriya proposed the vote of thanks.
