VK Sanju

Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh welcomed 21.05 crore tourists in 2025, a 57% jump. Now it wants to turn those footfalls into factories of opportunity. The seventh Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart (MPTM) begins in Bhopal on Tuesday, with Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav inaugurating the four-day event at Minto Hall.

More than 600 delegates are expected, including over 100 international operators from 34 countries, from the UK and Germany to Japan, Kenya and Mexico, plus domestic operators from over 15 states, Kerala among them. A new online scheduling platform will power over 10,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings, connecting buyers with 355 local hoteliers, resort operators, homestay owners and adventure providers.

The biggest headline is the investment. Proposals worth over ₹1,100 crore are being finalised, including Letters of Award worth ₹252 crore for 14 hotel, wellness and eco-tourism projects. The centrepiece is an ₹848.40-crore agreement between the MP Tourism Board and ARM Foods Pvt Ltd for a golf course, villas, wellness resort and luxury hotel at Ramgarh, Sehore, expected to create about 920 direct jobs.

Twelve strategic MoUs will also be signed. They cover driver training with IITTM Gwalior, homestay bookings with Gram Stay, motorcycle routes with Royal Enfield, motorsports tourism with NATRAX, and 1,000 AI-enabled QR boards at 100 sites. Another MoU supports a UNESCO nomination plan for Orchha.

State officials say MP is positioning itself as the 'Wildlife Capital of India' and aims to become the country's top adventure destination by 2030. Visitors can try VR darshan of the Jyotirlingas and a millet-based 'Maa Ki Rasoi' food counter. The exhibition opens free to the public on October 10 from 10:30 AM to 1 PM. After the event, 16 FAM trips will take over 200 experts across heritage, wildlife, spiritual and adventure circuits.