madhya-pradesh-sees-526-pc-tourist-surge-in-2024

Madhya Pradesh recorded a 526 per cent rise in the number of domestic and foreign tourists who visited the state in 2024 compared to 2020, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Wednesday.

 

He said the "holy land" of Madhya Pradesh had become the first choice of tourists, highlighting prominent attractions such as scenic hinterlands, a rich religious legacy, and diverse wildlife.

 

There is a surprising increase in religious and wildlife tourism in MP. The number of tourists is constantly increasing in the cultural heritage, historical heritage, natural beauty and wildlife wealth (National Park) of the state. 

 

According to the data of the MP Tourism Department, a new record has emerged in the field of tourism in the year 2024. A record 13.41 crore tourists arrived in the state in 2024.

 

This is about one and a half times more than the total population of the state. This is 19.6 percent as compared to 2023. The state has seen an increase of about 50.6 percent since 2019 and 526 percent as compared to 2020.

 

Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Shiv Shekhar Shukla said that Madhya Pradesh is a rich and diverse state of India in terms of tourism. The cultural heritage, natural wealth, historical heritage and wildlife diversity of the state provide a complete experience to the tourists.

 

The arrival of 13.41 crore tourists in the year 2024 is proof that the state is emerging strongly not only in the country but also on the global tourism map. This achievement is the result of the far-sighted policies of the government, development of infrastructure and active participation of local communities.

 

Madhya Pradesh Tourism: 526 percent increase in tourism in MP in four years, in 2024, one and a half times more tourists arrived than the population of the state, religious tourists are the highest

 

Digital Desk, Bhopal. There is a surprising increase in religious and wildlife tourism in MP. The number of tourists is continuously increasing in the cultural heritage, historical heritage, natural beauty and wildlife wealth (National Park) of the state.

 

According to the data of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department, a new record has emerged in the field of tourism in the year 2024. In 2024, a record 13.41 crore tourists arrived in the state.

 

This is about one and a half times more than the total population of the state. This is 19.6 percent as compared to 2023. 

 

The state has grown by about 50.6 percent since 2019 and 526 percent as compared to 2020.

 

Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Shiv Shekhar Shukla said that Madhya Pradesh is a rich and diverse state of India in terms of tourism. The cultural heritage, natural wealth, historical heritage and wildlife diversity of the state provide a complete experience to the tourists.

 

The arrival of 13.41 crore tourists in the year 2024 is proof that the state is emerging strongly not only on the country but also on the global tourism map. This achievement is the result of the visionary policies of the government, development of infrastructure and active participation of local communities.

 

Foreign Tourists

 

In the year 2024, 1.67 lakh foreign tourists also visited Madhya Pradesh. 33,131 foreign tourists arrived in Khajuraho, 10,823 in Gwalior and 13,960 in Orchha. The number of foreign tourists also increased in urban tourism, including 9,964 in Indore and 1,522 in Bhopal.

 

29,192 foreign tourists came to Badhavgarh, 19,148 in Kanha, 12,762 in Panna and 11,272 in Pench, which reflects the global appeal of Madhya Pradesh.

 

Major tourist attractions

 

Religious tourism: New center of faith of the country

 

The religious places of the state attracted 10.7 crore tourists in 2024, which is 21.9 pc more than the year 2023. 6 of the top 10 tourist destinations of the state include religious places.

 

Ujjain topped the list with 7.32 crore tourists, which is 39 pc more than 5.28 crore in the year 2023. Chitrakoot also received over 1 crore tourists, which is 33 pc more than 90 lakh in the year 2023. Maihar received 1.33 crore, Amarkantak 40 lakh, Salakanpur 26 lakh and Omkareshwar 24 lakh tourists.

 

Projects like Mahakal Lok, Omkareshwar Mahalok, Shri Ram Vanagaman Path, Devi Lok, Raja Ram Lok, Hanuman have empowered religious tourism spiritually and economically.

 

Heritage Tourism: A Living Tale of History

 

The rich heritage of Madhya Pradesh attracted over 80 lakh tourists in 2024, showing a 25% increase compared to 64 lakh in 2023. Gwalior witnessed a 3-fold increase in the number of tourists, where over 9 lakh tourists arrived, a significant increase from 3.69 lakh in 2023.

 

Tourists also visited Khajuraho (4.89 lakh), Bhojpur (35.91 lakh) and Maheshwar (13.53 lakh) to enjoy these rich heritage sites. UNESCO has recently added Bhojpur to its Tentative List and recognised Gwalior as a “Creative City of Music”.

 

Madhya Pradesh now has a total of 18 UNESCO heritage sites, 3 on the permanent and 15 on the tentative list. The permanent list includes Khajuraho Group of Temples, Bhimbetka Caves and Sanchi Stupa.

 

Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, Chausath Yogini Temple, Gupta period temples, palaces and forts of Bundela rulers, Gwalior Fort, Khooni Bhandara of Burhanpur, rock art sites of Chambal Valley, Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple of Bhojpur, Gond monuments of Ram Nagar in Mandla, historic group of Dhamnar, group of monuments of Mandu, historic group of Orchha, Bhedaghat-Lametaghat in Narmada Valley, Satpura Tiger Reserve and Chanderi are in the tentative list.