Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Limited (MPSTDC) has recently announced a number of plans and projects to develop and promote tourism in Madhya Pradesh. These projects are scheduled to take-off shortly. Realising that the key to multiplying the number of domestic and foreign inbound tourists is superior infrastructure, the state government is laying much emphasis on the development of the same. Major infrastructure projects and construction work has already been undertaken to augment both inter-state and intra-state connectivity. Developing wayside cafeterias especially en route various tourism zones in the state tops the priority list. Apart from the promotions of wild life tourism, customised circuit tours are also being designed and promoted by the state to the travel trade and the end consumers. 23 special packages are being designed and marketed under the name of Moogli Trail to suit the needs of a range of tourists.

The 11th finance commission has also sanctioned funds for tourism development in the state. Upgradation work at international tourism sites such as Sanchi and the Marble Rocks have already been initiated. Sanctions have already been granted for developing new regions such as the ones at Chanderi, Maihar etc. Creating rural villages is yet another project on which work has already begun.

Explaining the board’s marketing plans and promotional ventures, B M Namdeo, general manager-marketing, MPSDTC mentioned, “We have aimed to focus more on the domestic tourist for which we are planning special marketing drives to attract travellers from all regions of India. Our future plans include a series of road shows in the south, especially in Bangalore and Chennai to introduce the state and its tourism potential in a more elaborate manner. Our road shows organised last year in New Delhi and Mumbai have received positive response which has inspired us to conduct such direct promotional tours in the future.”

Apart from the world famous Khajuraho festival and the recently commenced Bhopal Utsav, the state is also organising a special Kayaking and Canoeing festival in the month of October 2003. The International Vintage Car Rally in association with the Mumbai based Vintage Car Association would also be held in Bhopal from January 25 to February 3, 2004.