Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart (MPTM) 2026, the seventh edition of the state’s major tourism business event, will begin in Bhopal on October 7 and continue until October 10. The event will be held at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre, also known as Minto Hall, with Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav scheduled to inaugurate it on Wednesday.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture, Tourism, Religious Trusts and Endowments, Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, will preside over the inaugural programme.
The four-day event aims to promote Madhya Pradesh’s cultural heritage, historic monuments, biodiversity and natural landscapes internationally. It is expected to bring together more than 600 delegates, including international and domestic tour operators, tourism stakeholders, investors and travel professionals.
According to the state government, the event is expected to help finalise investment proposals and agreements worth more than ₹1,100 crore, strengthen tourism infrastructure and create local employment opportunities.
Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2026: Dates, Venue and Key Highlights
MPTM 2026 will serve as a business-to-business (B2B) networking platform connecting tourism businesses in Madhya Pradesh with national and international buyers.
Key details of the event:
- Dates: October 7–10, 2026
- Venue: Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre (Minto Hall), Bhopal
- Inauguration: Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav
- International participation: More than 100 representatives from over 34 countries
- Domestic participation: More than 180 tour operators from over 15 states and Union Territories
- Expected participation: More than 600 delegates
- Business meetings: Over 10,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings
- Investment pipeline: More than ₹1,100 crore in proposed investments and agreements
- Strategic partnerships: 12 MoUs, agreements and other partnerships
The event will focus on tourism investment, business networking, sustainable tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife conservation, rural homestays and the use of digital technology to improve visitor experiences.
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Madhya Pradesh Records 21.05 Crore Tourist Visits in 2025
Madhya Pradesh recorded 21.05 crore tourist visits in 2025, marking a 57% increase compared with the previous year, according to the information provided by the state tourism department.
Tourism Secretary and Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Dr Ilaiyaraaja T., said the state’s progressive tourism policies had supported this growth.
MPTM 2026 aims to convert the rising number of tourist visits into further investment, improved infrastructure and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The state government is working to position Madhya Pradesh among India’s leading adventure tourism destinations by 2030. It is also promoting the state as the “Wildlife Capital of India”, with a focus on conservation-based and environmentally responsible tourism.
Other priorities include expanding world-class tourism facilities through public-private partnerships, supporting rural communities through homestays and improving tourist services through artificial intelligence and multilingual digital platforms.
Over 280 International and Domestic Tour Operators to Participate
MPTM 2026 will welcome more than 100 international representatives from over 34 countries, including tour operators, tourism stakeholders and travel writers.
International participation will include representatives from countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, West Asia and Africa.
The participating countries listed by the state include the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Bulgaria, Belarus, Albania, Hungary, Slovakia, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Mauritius, Kenya and Russia.
At the national level, more than 180 domestic tour operators from over 15 states and Union Territories are expected to participate. These include Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Goa, Haryana, Odisha, and Jammu and Kashmir.
The participation is expected to help Madhya Pradesh tourism businesses connect with new markets and develop partnerships with travel agencies, hotel groups, airlines and tour operators.
More Than 10,000 B2B Meetings Planned
One of the major business highlights of MPTM 2026 will be more than 10,000 pre-scheduled business-to-business meetings.
An online scheduling system has been developed to facilitate meetings between national and international buyers, tour operators, hotel groups, airlines and travel agencies.
These participants will connect with 355 local tourism stakeholders, including:
- Hoteliers and resort operators
- Heritage property owners
- Homestay owners
- Adventure sports operators
- Other local tourism businesses
The meetings will take place through both physical and virtual interactions. They are intended to help local businesses promote tourism products, cultural experiences, handicrafts and travel packages to wider markets.
The event will also provide a platform for tourism businesses to explore partnerships and investment opportunities across different regions of Madhya Pradesh.
₹1,100 Crore Investment Deals Expected in Madhya Pradesh Tourism
MPTM 2026 is expected to help finalise combined tourism investment proposals and agreements worth more than ₹1,100 crore.
As part of the investment initiative, Letters of Award (LoAs) worth ₹252 crore will be issued to private investors for 14 projects across the state.
The projects will cover several tourism-related sectors, including:
- Hotels and hospitality facilities
- Wellness resorts
- Luxury tented camps
- Eco-tourism units
Letters of Award will also be issued for developing modern wayside amenities along three major tourism highways. These facilities are intended to make road journeys for tourists more convenient, safe and comfortable.
The proposed investments are expected to support tourism infrastructure development and create additional opportunities for local businesses and communities.
₹848.40 Crore Tourism Project Planned in Sehore
The biggest investment initiative highlighted for MPTM 2026 is a proposed ₹848.40 crore tourism project at Ramgarh in Sehore district.
The agreement will be signed between the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and A.R.M. Foods Private Limited.
Under the project, the company will develop a range of tourism and hospitality facilities, including:
- An international-standard golf course
- Golf villas
- A wellness resort
- A luxury hotel
- High-end hospitality infrastructure
The project is expected to strengthen the tourism profile of the Vindhya and Malwa regions and attract visitors seeking premium leisure and wellness experiences.
According to the state government’s announcement, the project is expected to generate around 920 direct jobs, along with hundreds of indirect employment opportunities for local residents.
Madhya Pradesh to Sign 12 Strategic Tourism Agreements
MPTM 2026 will feature 12 strategic MoUs, memorandums of agreement and other partnerships aimed at strengthening tourism skills, infrastructure, adventure activities, rural tourism, digital promotion and heritage conservation.
1. Tourism Training With IITTM Gwalior
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will partner with the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Gwalior, to train tourist vehicle drivers.
In the first phase, 100 tourist vehicle drivers in Bhopal will receive Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) training. The programme will cover safe driving, professional etiquette and customer service, followed by certification.
2. Digital Connectivity for Rural Homestays
A partnership with Gram Stay will focus on digitising rural tourism and connecting homestays in remote areas with global booking platforms.
The initiative is intended to improve the visibility of rural accommodation providers and create additional income opportunities for local communities.
3. Adventure Tourism With Royal Enfield
The state will work with Royal Enfield to identify new motorcycle riding routes, supporting the development of adventure tourism and road-based travel experiences.
4. Adventure Tourism Safety Standards With ATOAI
A partnership with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) will focus on establishing safety standards for adventure tourism activities.
5. Motorsport Tourism With NATRAX
An agreement with NATRAX, the automotive testing track located in Pithampur, will support the development of motorsport tourism in Madhya Pradesh.
6. Digital Training and Asset Library With ACAD Indore
Artmesia College of Art and Design (ACAD), Indore, will collaborate on practical training for students and the development of a digital asset library. The partnership will be non-financial in nature.
7. Film Tourism and Creative Industries
The Viral Fever (TVF) and Krark Family Office will collaborate on initiatives related to film tourism, skill development in the AVGC sector—animation, visual effects, gaming and comics—and the proposed Museum of Storytelling.
These initiatives are intended to expand the state’s presence in creative industries and encourage tourism linked to films and digital media.
8. AI-Enabled QR Boards at 100 Tourist Sites
Under a smart tourism initiative, Explurger will help install 1,000 AI-enabled QR code boards at 100 major tourist destinations across Madhya Pradesh.
The boards are intended to improve access to digital information and make it easier for visitors to explore tourist attractions.
9. Orchha Heritage Conservation and UNESCO Nomination
The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, and DRONAH will work on an integrated management and landscape conservation plan for the Historic Ensemble of Orchha.
The partnership will support preparations related to Orchha’s UNESCO nomination.
10. BSF Academy Tourism Infrastructure
A tripartite agreement will support tourism infrastructure development and the modernisation of the BSF Museum at the Border Security Force Academy in Tekanpur, Gwalior.
The state government has also outlined additional strategic partnerships as part of the 12-agreement programme.
MPTM 2026 Schedule: Key Activities From October 7 to 10
The four-day event will feature investor meetings, business networking, tourism exhibitions, expert discussions and public engagement activities.
October 7: Inauguration and Investor Meetings
Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav will inaugurate the event and hold special one-on-one meetings with invited national and international industrialists, investors and corporate representatives.
The discussions will focus on potential investments and future tourism development in Madhya Pradesh.
October 8: B2B Mart, Exhibition and Wildlife Tourism Discussion
Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and Union Tourism Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar will formally inaugurate the B2B mart and exhibition.
A high-level panel discussion on “Madhya Pradesh as the Wildlife Capital of India” will bring together environmentalists, forest officials and wildlife experts.
Strategic roundtable discussions will also be organised on adventure tourism and the MICE sector, which covers meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.
October 9: Business Meetings and Awards
The third day will continue with business meetings between tourism stakeholders.
An awards ceremony will recognise outstanding exhibition stalls and innovations presented during the event.
October 10: Free Public Exhibition
The exhibition will be open to school and college students, tourism studies institutions and the general public free of charge from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm.
The initiative aims to increase public awareness of Madhya Pradesh’s tourism attractions and cultural heritage.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Website to Launch in Six Languages
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will launch a multilingual version of its official website, www.mptourism.com, to make tourism information more accessible to international visitors.
In addition to Hindi and English, information will be available in:
- German
- Spanish
- French
- Japanese
The initiative is intended to help international travellers access information about destinations and tourism experiences in Madhya Pradesh.
Digital MP Travel Handbook to Offer Interactive Tourism Information
The event will also feature the launch of the MP Travel Handbook, a dynamic digital coffee-table book developed in collaboration with TellMe DigiInfotech.
The handbook will include several digital features designed to improve how travellers discover the state’s attractions.
These include:
- 360-degree panoramic views
- Interactive maps
- AI-based storytelling
- Virtual reality links
- Bilingual audio narration
Special virtual reality centres will also be set up at the exhibition venue. Visitors will be able to experience virtual visits to the state’s Jyotirlinga sites and immersive wildlife safari experiences through VR technology.
‘Maa Ki Rasoi’ to Showcase Traditional Madhya Pradesh Cuisine
A special live food counter, Maa Ki Rasoi, will introduce delegates and visitors to the traditional cuisine of Madhya Pradesh, with a focus on local ingredients and millet-based food.
The menu will feature regional dishes such as:
- Kodo-methi rice
- Jowar and bajra rotis
- Buttermilk potatoes
- Chakki ka saag
- Nighona
- Dal-bafla, a popular Malwa-Nimar speciality
- Roasted corn bharta
- Fresh chutneys prepared using traditional grinding methods
The initiative will highlight the state’s culinary heritage and regional food traditions.
16 Familiarisation Tours Planned for More Than 200 Tourism Professionals
Following the event, 16 familiarisation tours, commonly known as FAM trips, will be organised for more than 200 national and international tourism professionals.
The tours will showcase Madhya Pradesh’s heritage sites, wildlife destinations, spiritual centres and adventure tourism locations.
The planned circuits include:
Heritage circuit
- Khajuraho
- Orchha
- Mandu
- Maheshwar
- Gwalior
- Sanchi
- Bhimbetka
Wildlife circuit
- Kanha
- Bandhavgarh
- Pench
- Panna
- Satpura
- Kuno Cheetah Sanctuary
Spiritual circuit
- Ujjain’s Mahakal Lok
- Omkareshwar’s Ekatma Dham
- Chitrakoot
- Amarkantak
Adventure and water tourism circuit
- Pachmarhi
- Chanderi
- Tawa
- Gandhi Sagar
During their stay in Bhopal, delegates will also experience heritage walks, birdwatching at Van Vihar, shikara rides on the Upper Lake and wellness-focused yoga sessions.
The tours are designed to give tourism professionals direct exposure to the state’s destinations and encourage them to develop new travel packages for domestic and international visitors.
Madhya Pradesh Aims to Strengthen Its Position in Global Tourism
Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2026 is intended to bring together tourism investment, business networking, cultural promotion and sustainable development under one platform.
With more than 10,000 planned B2B meetings, 12 strategic partnerships, investment proposals exceeding ₹1,100 crore and a major tourism project worth ₹848.40 crore in Sehore, the event is expected to support the next phase of tourism development in the state.
The government is also focusing on wildlife conservation, adventure tourism, rural homestays, heritage preservation and digital visitor services to expand the state’s appeal to travellers.
Through MPTM 2026, Madhya Pradesh aims to strengthen its position as a leading destination for heritage, wildlife, spiritual, wellness and adventure tourism while creating new opportunities for local communities and businesses.
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