Madhya Pradesh Tourism Scales New Heights through Investment, PM SHRI Tourism and Helicopter Services
2025 Emerges as a Golden Chapter of Innovation, Record Investment and Tourism Expansion
Bhopal | 2025
In alignment with the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi towards cultural resurgence and holistic development, and under the dynamic guidance of Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Madhya Pradesh has scripted a remarkable success story in tourism, culture and investment during the year 2025. Under the able leadership of Minister of State (Independent Charge), Tourism, Culture, Religious Trusts & Endowments, Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, and Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, 2025 has emerged as a defining year marked by innovation-led growth, record investments and infrastructure expansion.
Transforming Connectivity: PM SHRI Tourism Air & Helicopter Services
To enhance accessibility and position Madhya Pradesh prominently on the national and global tourism map, the state launched the PM SHRI Tourism Air Service and PM SHRI Tourism Helicopter Service on a PPP model.
Air services now connect eight major cities — Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Rewa, Singrauli, Khajuraho and Ujjain, while helicopter services operate across three key tourism circuits covering spiritual, wildlife and leisure destinations, including Omkareshwar, Pachmarhi, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Chitrakoot and Amarkantak. These initiatives have significantly improved tourist mobility, investment opportunities and employment generation.
Record Tourist Footfall & Cultural Expansion
Madhya Pradesh recorded over 14 crore tourist arrivals in 2024, registering nearly 25% growth, reinforcing its status as one of India’s leading tourism destinations.
Significant progress has been achieved in religious and cultural tourism with the development of Omkareshwar as ‘Advait Lok’, where Phase-II has received approval exceeding ₹2,424 crore. Initiatives like Shri Ramchandra Van Gaman Path and Shri Krishna Pathey have further strengthened spiritual tourism circuits.
World Heritage & Cultural Recognition
In 2025, 15 additional sites from Madhya Pradesh were included in UNESCO’s Tentative List, taking the state’s total heritage footprint to 18 out of India’s 69 UNESCO-recognised sites.
Prestigious recognitions were also conferred by Sangeet Natak Akademi, declaring Bhagoria tribal dance, Gond painting (Patangarh) and Narmada Parikrama as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Infrastructure, Museums & Cultural Loks
Major infrastructure projects were initiated, including the development of Kushabhau Convention Centre, Bhopal as an International Convention Centre. Simultaneously, a new chain of museums and 20 cultural and religious ‘Loks’ is being developed across cities such as Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Maheshwar, Panna and Amarkantak, strengthening Madhya Pradesh’s cultural narrative.
Investment Momentum & Tourism Growth
Through the Global Investors Summit 2025, the Regional Tourism Conclaves and the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart, the state received investment intent proposals exceeding ₹64,635 crore. Allocation of land parcels, heritage properties, ultra-mega projects and wayside amenities has paved the way for large-scale private sector participation, employment generation and tourism-led economic growth.
Empowering Communities & Responsible Tourism
Over 400 rural homestays have been operationalised, generating income of more than ₹7 crore for rural communities. Inclusive tourism initiatives trained over 50,000 women and girls, while projects such as Clean Destination, Responsible Souvenir, Safe Tourism for Women and Adventure Tourism Safety strengthened sustainability and social impact.
Awards & National Recognition
In 2025, Madhya Pradesh Tourism received multiple national and international awards, including:
- Best State Tourism Board
- Best Heritage Tourism State
- Most Focused MICE Destination of India
- Best State of Adventure Tourism
- Responsible Tourism Excellence Award
Looking Ahead
With a clear roadmap to increase tourism’s contribution to 10% of State GDP, Madhya Pradesh plans to develop 500 new hotels, 20,000 rooms, 500 wayside amenities, and prepare comprehensively for Simhastha 2028, further reinforcing its leadership in tourism innovation.
The year 2025 stands as a landmark chapter in Madhya Pradesh Tourism’s journey — driven by vision, investment, innovation and inclusive growth.
