Madhya Pradesh Eyes Growth in MICE and Adventure Tourism at MPTM 2026
Indore and Bhopal have the potential to emerge as leading MICE destinations, while 2027 is proposed as the State’s “Adventure Year.”
Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart (MPTM) 2026 explored strategies to strengthen the State’s tourism ecosystem through roundtable discussions on MICE and the creative economy, and adventure tourism.
At the MICE and Creative Economy session, Mr. Harikishore S., Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Chairman, India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), highlighted the growing demand for meetings, conferences, exhibitions and live events. He identified Indore and Bhopal as promising destinations for national and international events, recommending a dedicated State MICE strategy, a City MICE Promotion Bureau and large convention venues.
Sabbas Joseph, Chairman, FICCI MICE Tourism Committee and Co-founder, Wizcraft Group, highlighted the potential of Orchha, Khajuraho, Maheshwar, Mandu and Gwalior for destination weddings, festivals and celebrations. He called for familiarisation tours for wedding planners, certified wedding destinations and curated packages showcasing local cuisine, culture, art and handicrafts.
The Adventure Tourism 2030 roundtable focused on building Madhya Pradesh into a leading adventure destination. Dr. Ilayaraja T., Secretary, Tourism and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, announced plans to give adventure tourism a major boost, with 2027 proposed as the State’s “Adventure Year.”
Padma Shri Ajit Bajaj, former Chairman of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), advocated developing integrated adventure hubs through public-private partnerships. He stressed the importance of certified guides, standard operating procedures, emergency rescue systems and medical insurance to ensure visitor safety.
The discussions underscored Madhya Pradesh’s ambition to expand its MICE, destination wedding, experiential and adventure tourism offerings through stronger infrastructure, industry collaboration and safe, distinctive visitor experiences.
