https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Madhya Pradesh Sets New Tourism Record with Over 13.41 Crore Visitors in 2024, Emerges as Top Tourist Destination with 526% Growth Since 2020

“Incredible Madhya Pradesh” Records Historic 13.41 Cr Tourist Arrivals in 2024. Record Numbers in Religious, Heritage & Wildlife Travel.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh, known as the “Heart of Incredible India,” has emerged as the top destination for domestic and international travelers, registering an all-time high of 13.41 crore tourist arrivals in 2024 — marking a 19.6% increase over 2023, 50.6% over 2019, and a staggering 526% jump from 2020.

This remarkable growth has firmly established the state as a tourism powerhouse, driven by a strategic blend of heritage conservation, religious infrastructure, eco-tourism, film-friendly policies, and vibrant local engagement.

Leadership Speaks: MP on the Global Tourism Map
1994 batch IAS officer Shiv Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Culture and Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, stated:

“Madhya Pradesh offers a holistic experience – from cultural heritage and religious spirituality to wildlife, adventure, and urban charm. The 2024 figures confirm our emergence not just nationally, but also globally as a preferred tourism destination. It reflects the result of visionary policies, robust infrastructure, and community-led development.”

Religious Tourism Drives Footfalls with Over 10.7 Crore Visitors

Faith-based tourism emerged as a key growth driver in 2024-

  • Ujjain led the chart with 7.32 crore tourists (up 39% from 2023)
  • Chitrakoot surpassed the 1 crore mark
  • Maihar, Amarkantak, Salkanpur, and Omkareshwar drew millions

The success of religious destinations is attributed to flagship projects like Mahakal Lok, Omkareshwar Mahalok, Shri Ram Vanagaman Path, and Devi Lok, which have become spiritual and economic catalysts.

Heritage Tourism: Cultural Riches in Focus

Heritage-rich sites drew 80 lakh tourists, a 25% jump over the previous year.

  • Gwalior recorded over 9 lakh visitors, nearly three times more than 2023
  • Khajuraho, Bhojpur, and Maheshwar continued to attract culture enthusiasts
  • UNESCO status boosts pride, with 18 sites (3 permanent, 15 tentative) adding global recognition

Wildlife & Eco-Tourism: MP’s Natural Heritage Shines
Titled India’s Tiger, Leopard, Gharial, Cheetah, and Vulture State, Madhya Pradesh witnessed strong eco-tourism growth:

  • Kanha (2.48 lakh), Bandhavgarh (1.94 lakh), Pench (1.92 lakh), Panna (3.85 lakh), Madhai (4.34 lakh)
  • Kuno Palpur cheetah reintroduction drew international spotlight

The state’s 12 national parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries make it India’s top destination for nature lovers.

Nature & Rural Tourism: Living Close to the Earth
Destinations like Pachmarhi, Bhedaghat, Tamia, Sailani Island, and Sarsi Island attracted lakhs of tourists seeking immersive nature experiences.

Rural tourism was also on the rise-

  • 63 tourist villages developed
  • Over 470 homestays hosted 24,000+ guests
  • Pranpur, India’s first handloom village, gained international attention
  • Tribal art forms like Gond, Bhil, and Mandna gained popularity

Film Tourism: From Reel to Real Popularity
With movies like Stree 2, Sui Dhaaga, and Panchayat shot in MP, film tourism saw a surge.

  • Chanderi, featured in Stree 2, welcomed 47,630 tourists
  • Maheshwar recorded 13.53 lakh tourists, boosted by multiple film shoots
  • Homebound, a state-backed film, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2025

New Film Policy 2025 and a dedicated Tourism Facilitation Cell are aiding the state’s growth as a film-friendly destination.

Urban Tourism: Clean and Cultural Cities Draw Millions
Urban centers combined modernity with tradition-

  • Indore welcomed 1.02 crore tourists, credited with being India’s cleanest city for the 7th time
  • Bhopal (22 lakh) and Jabalpur (23 lakh) continued to attract heritage and nature seekers

Foreign Tourist Influx Shows Global Appeal
Madhya Pradesh welcomed 1.67 lakh foreign tourists in 2024. Top destinations included

  • Khajuraho (33,131), Orchha (13,960), Gwalior (10,823)
  • Wildlife: Bandhavgarh (29,192), Kanha (19,148), Panna (12,762), Pench (11,272)
  • Urban: Indore (9,964), Bhopal (1,522)

This highlights the state’s growing global visibility and appeal.

A Model of Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism
Madhya Pradesh’s tourism success in 2024 stands as a model of how policy innovation, infrastructure development, cultural preservation, and community involvement can together deliver record-breaking, sustainable growth.

As “Incomparable Madhya Pradesh” continues to inspire travelers, the state is set to redefine the future of Indian tourism, one experience at a time.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
J&K Govt Transfers 7 IFS Officers in Forest & Ecology Department; Dr V S Senthil Kumar Takes Charge as CCF Jammu
government-of-haryana
Haryana Police Reshuffle: 6 IPS Officers Transferred, Charu Bali Named ADGP Vigilance & Anti-Corruption
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services IAS logo
Gujarat High Court Issues Contempt Notices to 4 IAS Officers Over Water Pollution in Dholka Villages, Orders Concrete Plan from Authorities
shastri-bhawan
Not Suicide After All? Monkey Scare May Have Caused CSS Officer’s Fall from Shastri Bhawan
Chhattisgarh CM Sai Mahatari Sadan Dhamtari
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai Calls GST 2.0 a Historic Reform Benefiting 140 Crore Indians at Raipur Event
THDC_India_Swachhata_Pakhwada_2025
THDC India Honoured for Outstanding Initiatives During Swachhata Pakhwada 2025
NHPC New Logo
NHPC Extends Tenure of Chief Vigilance Officer IFS Santosh Kumar Till June 2026
BEML-Limited
Defence PSU BEML Ltd Announces First-Ever Share Split: Rs 10 Face Value to Rs 5 Shares
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Shubham Muchhala MPPSC 2024
9 Years, 6 Interviews, Now Deputy Collector: Meet MPPSC 2024 Hindi Medium Topper Shubham, the Face of Relentless Struggle
After nine years, seven prelims, six mains, and five interview failures, Shubham Muchhala secured MPPSC...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
J&K Govt Transfers 7 IFS Officers in Forest & Ecology Department; Dr V S Senthil Kumar Takes Charge as CCF Jammu
government-of-haryana
Haryana Police Reshuffle: 6 IPS Officers Transferred, Charu Bali Named ADGP Vigilance & Anti-Corruption
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT