“Incredible Madhya Pradesh” became the first choice of tourists
13 crore 41 lakh tourists reached in the year 2024
Tourism set new records in India’s heart region
Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh is a rich and diverse state in terms of tourism. Its cultural heritage, historical heritage, natural beauty and wildlife wealth are becoming the first choice of tourists in the form of “incomparable Madhya Pradesh”. The state has created a record in the field of tourism in the year 2024. A record 13 million 41 lakh tourists arrived in Madhya Pradesh. This achievement shows a significant increase of 19.6 percent compared to the year 2023, about 50.6 percent from 2019 and 526 percent compared to 2020.
Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Shiv Shekhar Shukla said that Madhya Pradesh is a rich and diverse state of India in terms of tourism. The cultural heritage of the state, natural wealth, historical heritage and wildlife diversity, provide a complete experience to tourists. The arrival of 13 crore 41 lakh tourists in the year 2024 is a proof that Madhya Pradesh is emerging strongly on the global tourism map, not only the country. This achievement is a reward for the visionary policies of the regime, the development of infrastructure and active participation of local communities.
Arrival of foreign tourists
In the year 2024, 1.67 lakh foreign tourists also visited Madhya Pradesh. 33 thousand 131 foreign tourists arrived in Khajuraho, 10 thousand 823 in Gwalior and 13 thousand 960 in Orchha. The number of foreign tourists also increased in urban tourism, including 9,964 foreign tourists in Indore and 1,522 in Bhopal. 29 thousand 192 in Bandhavgarh, 19 thousand 148 in Kanha, 12 thousand 762 in Panna and 11 thousand 272 foreign tourists in Pench, which shows the global appeal of Madhya Pradesh.
Religious Tourism: New Center of Faith of Country
Religious places of the state attracted 10.7 crore tourists in the year 2024, which is 21.9% more than the year 2023. Out of the top 10 tourist destinations in the state, 6 religious places are included. Ujjain was at the forefront of this list with 7.32 crore tourists, which is 39% higher than 5.28 crores in the year 2023. Chitrakoot also visited more than 1 crore tourists, which is 33% higher than 90 lakhs in the year 2023. 1.33 crore tourists arrived in Maihar, 40 lakh in Amarkantak, 26 lakh in Salkanpur and 24 lakh in Omkareshwar. Projects like Mahakal Lok, Omkareshwar Mahalok, Shri Ram Vanagaman Path, Devi Lok, Raja Ram Lok, Hanuman have strengthened religious tourism spiritually and economically.
Heritage Tourism: Vives of History
The rich heritage of Madhya Pradesh attracted more than 80 million tourists in 2024, indicating an increase of 25% compared to 64 lakhs in 2023. Gwalior saw a 3 -fold increase in the number of tourists, where more than 9 lakh tourists arrived, which is a significant increase of 3.69 lakhs as compared to 2023. In Khajuraho (4.89 lakh), Bhojpur (35.91 lakh) and Maheshwar (13.53 lakh), tourists also enjoyed these rich heritage. UNESCO has recently included Bhojpur in its tentative list and has recognized Gwalior as “Creative City of Music”. Madhya Pradesh now has a total of 18 UNESCO heritage in 3 permanent and 15 tental list. The permanent list includes the temple group of Khajuraho, the Bhimbetka caves and the Sanchi Stupa. Emperor Ashoka’s inscriptions, Chausath Yogini Temple, Gupta Yogini Temple, Bundela rulers’ palaces and forts, Gwalior Fort, Burhanpur’s Bloody Bhandara, Chambal Valley’s Shail Kala Site, Bhojpur Mahadev Temple, Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple of Bhojpur, Gond Memorial of Ram Nagar, Mandla, Historic Group of Dhannar, Group of Mandu, Historic Group of Mandu, Historic Group of Mandu, Historic Group, Narmada Valti, Bhedaghat -Lamtaghat, Satpura Tiger Reserve and Chanderi are in the tental list.
Wildlife Tourism: Confluence of nature and adventure
Green, Clean and Safe Madhya Pradesh are known as “Tiger State”, “Leopard State”, “Gharial State”, “Cheetah State” and “Vulture State”, with the most forest sector in the country. The state has 12 national parks, 25 wildlife sanctuaries and 9 tiger reserves. Tourists arrived at major wildlife sites like Kanha (2.48 lakh), screw (1.92 lakh), Bandhavgarh (1.94 lakh), Panna (3.85 lakh) and Madhai (4.34 lakh). The restoration project of African cheetahs at Kuno Palpur National Park has also attracted attention internationally.
Natural tourism: unforgettable experience in the lap of nature
The natural beauty of Madhya Pradesh is a precious treasure for tourists. Places like Pachmarhi, Amarkantak, Bhedaghat, Hanuwantia, Gandhisagar, Tamia, Sailani Island and Sarsi Island are the major centers of natural tourism. In the year 2024, 2.87 lakh tourists reached Pachmarhi and 2.34 lakh tourists in Bhedaghat. Resorts, adventure, sports, trekking trails and camping facilities here gave new experience to tourists. Natural beauty in Gandhisagar Dam, Sailani Island, Tamia’s Patalkot Valley and Sarsi Island brought tourists closer to nature.
Rural Tourism: Lively experience of culture and hospitality
Rural tourism in Madhya Pradesh has played an important role in presenting local culture and hospitality on the global platform. 63 tourism villages have been developed to promote rural tourism. More than 470 homestays have been constructed in the state, from which more than 24 thousand guests have experienced local culture and food. Home stay facilities have become a unique experience for tourists in villages around areas like Pachmarhi, Kanha and Amarkantak. India’s first handloom village Pranpur in Chanderi has given local craftsmen a global identity. The art of tribal communities such as Gond, Bhil Painting and Mandana Arts are becoming popular among tourists.
Film Tourism: New destination of cinematic magic
Madhya Pradesh film is also making a distinct identity in the field of tourism. Places like Chanderi and Maheshwar have become the first choice of filmmakers. Shooting of “Stree 2” made Chanderi popular among tourists, where 47 thousand 630 tourists arrived. 13.53 lakh tourists came to Maheshwar, witnessing many national and international films shooting. Recently, the film Homebound, produced in the state, was praised by veterans around the world at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival of the film world. The new Film Policy-2025 and Tourism Facilitation Sale have made Madhya Pradesh an attractive destination for filmmakers. Projects like Stree, Sui Dhaaga, Dabangg 2, Padman, Panchayat (Web Series) and Maharani in the state displayed the cultural and natural beauty of the state on the global stage. Places like Khajuraho, Gwalior and Mandu also became popular for film shooting.
Urban Tourism: Mangles of modernity and culture
Cities like Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur are known for their modernity, cleanliness and cultural prosperity. In the year 2024, 1.02 crore tourists arrived in Indore, 22 lakh in Bhopal and 23 lakh in Jabalpur. Indore has secured the first position in the Swachh Bharat Survey for the 7th time, which makes it a clean and smart tourist destination.
Madhya Pradesh has made a distinct identity on the map of the country and the world, making remarkable progress in every field of tourism in the year 2024. From religious faith to historical heritage, wildlife adventures to natural beauty, rural affinity to urban modernity and cinematic attraction, “Atulani Madhya Pradesh” has given a new experience to every tourist. The arrival of 13.41 crore tourists in the state is proof that tourism is not only increasing rapidly in the state, but is also setting up new paradigms of sustainable development and inclusion. Madhya Pradesh will create a new chapter of tourism in the coming years with the state government’s commitment, policy innovation and active participation of local communities.
