Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2026 Inaugurated with Grand Celebration of the State’s Culture, Heritage and Tourism

CM Mohan Yadav inaugurates 7th MPTM as Madhya Pradesh showcases its diverse tourism experiences and stories to the world

Bhopal, October 8, 2026: The 7th Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart (MPTM) 2026 was inaugurated in Bhopal on October 7 with a spectacular celebration of the state’s rich cultural heritage, featuring vibrant performances representing Madhya Pradesh’s diverse dance forms, traditions and artistic legacy.

The inauguration brought together Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr. Mohan Yadav, Tourism Minister Shri Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, Dr. Illayaraaja T, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Celebrity Chef Ranveer Brar, senior government officials, tourism industry leaders and delegates from India and overseas.

The four-day Mart, being held from October 7–10, has brought together 100+ international tour operators from 34 countries, 150 domestic tour operators, 355 sellers and more than 600 participants, with over 10,000 B2B meetings creating opportunities for tourism partnerships, investment and business.

The inauguration set the tone for MPTM 2026 with a strong focus on showcasing Madhya Pradesh not merely as a collection of destinations, but as a state of stories, experiences, culture and people.

Madhya Pradesh: Where every destination has a story

Tourism Minister Shri Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, while welcoming delegates to Madhya Pradesh, invited visitors to see, experience and feel the state.

He highlighted Madhya Pradesh as the heart of India, with its unique combination of art, culture, heritage and wildlife. From Khajuraho and Sanchi to Orchha, Chitrakoot, Mandu and Gwalior, the state offers a rich spectrum of historical, cultural and spiritual experiences. Its forests and wildlife also make it one of India’s leading destinations for wildlife and tiger tourism.

The Minister highlighted the growing popularity of the state, noting that tourist arrivals in Madhya Pradesh increased by 57% in 2025 compared to 2024.

Dr. Illayaraaja T, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, spoke about the immense diversity of Madhya Pradesh’s tourism offerings and the importance of presenting the state through its stories and experiences.

He highlighted the richness of Madhya Pradesh across culture, heritage, wildlife and pilgrimage tourism, along with its traditions, cuisine, villages and local communities. Each destination, with its own history, culture and character, offers a distinctive experience and a story waiting to be discovered.

Speaking on the occasion, Sh Mahendra Pratap Singh, Chairman, FICCI , Madhya Pradesh Tourism Committee emphasised the importance of taking visitors deeper into the destination by encouraging them to experience local culture, villages, food and community life, while ensuring greater local participation and a more sustainable approach to tourism with a lower carbon footprint.

The focus, therefore, is not merely on selling standard tourism packages, but on creating meaningful journeys that allow travellers to discover the character and stories of Madhya Pradesh.

Taking Madhya Pradesh’s tourism story to the world

The inauguration also witnessed the launch of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism website in four new international languages — French, German, Spanish and Japanese.

The multilingual platform is aimed at strengthening the state’s international digital outreach and making information on Madhya Pradesh’s tourism offerings more accessible to travellers and trade partners across key global markets.

Culture, cuisine and immersive experiences

The grand inauguration opened with a series of vibrant cultural performances showcasing Madhya Pradesh’s traditional dance forms, music, customs and artistic heritage, giving visiting delegates an immersive introduction to the state’s cultural richness.

MPTM 2026 will also feature technology-led experiences including VR, “Aankhon Dekhi” and live temple darshan, providing visitors with new ways to discover the state’s heritage and spiritual destinations.

An Influencers Meet with more than 200 influencers and an Art & Craft Fashion Show celebrating Madhya Pradesh’s craft and handloom traditions were also held ahead of the Mart.

Strengthening tourism partnerships and investment

MPTM 2026 has brought together tourism stakeholders from across India and the world, with a focus on wildlife and sustainable tourism, adventure and water tourism, MICE and live events, film tourism, homestays, digital promotion and local livelihoods.

The Mart facilitated 11 MoUs covering investment promotion, skill development, adventure and water tourism, film tourism and digital media. It will also witness 14 Letters of Award involving approximately ₹252 crore in proposed investment.

The Mart will further facilitate 16 FAM Tours, taking more than 200 domestic and international delegates across the state to experience its heritage, wildlife, culture and diverse tourism products firsthand.

A dedicated student session will also highlight tourism careers, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, linking the growth of tourism with opportunities for the state’s youth.

With its focus on global business partnerships, experiential tourism, storytelling, local participation and responsible tourism, MPTM 2026 seeks to strengthen Madhya Pradesh’s position as a destination not only to visit, but to experience, discover and remember.

In Madhya Pradesh, every destination has a story. MPTM 2026 is creating opportunities for the world to discover them.