At an event held in Delhi to promote the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Mart that is to be held in October, Hari Ranjan Rao, managing director, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) informed that the state will be launching a new tourism policy on September 20, 2016. Addressing the gathering, Rao stated, “We have decided to launch a new tourism policy that would include some changes in the rules and aid involvement of private players. There will be a special tourism cabinet consisting of seven to eight ministers which will entirely focus on promoting tourism in the state.”
The new forest recreational rules will allow development in good quality forest, which was not accessible earlier. This forest area does not fall under wildlife sanctuaries or wildlife parks. The forest department has pointed out 15-16 areas that can be transformed around Indira Sagar Dam, Indore etc. A permit will allow private companies to buy land and start adventure activities. MP tourism will also be launching some of its own activities along with the private companies.
The policy will also include development of way side amenities in association with private companies. Rao added, “The leasing out of way side amenities along major routes in Madhya Pradesh will be held online in a transparent way. The policy will give away land for 30 years and also aid the players to upgrade their services in order to provide better tourism facilities.” In a similar attempt, the tourism board is also collaborating with Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to lease out some heritage properties as wedding venues. Rao mentioned, “The state has incredible potential in terms of heritage properties with Madhavgarh Fort, Govindgarh Fort, Fort Orccha Fort at its disposal.”
MPSTDC is organising the third edition of Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart from October 14-16, 2016 in Bhopal. The tourism board will be organising special training sessions to help domestic sellers make presentations to the international buyers. The mart will also host webinar sessions among buyers and sellers.
