Tourism in Madhya Pradesh Surges 50% Since 2019, Ujjain Tops List

Madhya Pradesh has seen a sharp rise in tourist numbers in 2024. According to reports, a total of 13.41 crore tourists visited the state between January and December last year. This is a 19.6% increase over 2023 and more than 50% higher than the pre-COVID year 2019.

Boom in religious tourism

Ujjain emerged as the most visited destination. The city welcomed 7.32 crore tourists, nearly 55% of all visitors to the state. Most came to see the Mahakal temple and the newly developed Mahakal Lok corridor.

The state recorded 13.41 crore tourist visits in total—a 19.6% jump from 2023 and a 50.6% increase from the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The sharpest growth came from religious destinations. Ujjain led the surge, followed by places like Chitrakoot, Maihar, Omkareshwar, Amarkantak, and Salkanpur. Chitrakoot saw over 1 crore visitors. Maihar welcomed 1.33 crore. Omkareshwar drew 24 lakh. Religious travel accounted for nearly 80% of the total visits. State tourism officials say large infrastructure projects around temples, such as Mahakal Lok and the Shri Ram Van Gaman Path, played a major role in this rise.

At the Tourism Sustainability Summit in March 2025, Principal Secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla laid out the state's long-term tourism vision. He said Madhya Pradesh aims to raise tourism’s share in its GDP from the current 3–3.5% to 4–5% by 2028 and up to 10% by 2047.

Shukla highlighted collaboration with Uttar Pradesh through joint campaigns, workshops, and familiarisation tours in cities like Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Agra. The goal is to build connected travel circuits—like linking Prayagraj to Maihar and Jabalpur, or Varanasi to Omkareshwar and Ujjain.

He also emphasised job creation. Every ₹10 lakh invested in tourism, he said, creates around 90 direct and indirect jobs—more than most sectors. Projects like the Ganga-Narmada Tourism Corridor and the Ram Van Gaman Path are part of this broader push to blend religious, cultural, and nature-based travel.

Foreign tourists, though a small share of the total, are also returning. In 2024, Madhya Pradesh saw 1.67 lakh international visitors. Khajuraho remained the top draw, with over 33,000 foreign tourists. Orchha, Gwalior, Bhopal, and Indore followed. Wildlife parks also featured prominently on their itineraries. Bandhavgarh drew 29,000 foreign tourists. Kanha received over 19,000. Parks like Panna and Pench added to the interest.

Attracting History and Heritage Lovers

Heritage tourism also saw a spike. Over 80 lakh people visited historical and archaeological sites. Gwalior stood out, more than doubling its visitor count from the previous year. It received over 9 lakh tourists in 2024, compared to 3.69 lakh in 2023. UNESCO’s recognition of Gwalior as a “Creative City of Music” and Bhojpur’s addition to its tentative heritage list contributed to this growth. Khajuraho attracted close to 5 lakh tourists. Maheshwar, famous for its ghats and temples, welcomed more than 13 lakh.

Madhya Pradesh’s 18 UNESCO-recognised sites—three permanent and 15 tentative—offer a wide range of attractions. From the rock shelters of Bhimbetka to the Buddhist stupas of Sanchi and the temples of Mandu and Orchha, these places offer deep historical context alongside visual appeal. Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, the Gond monuments of Ramnagar, and Ashokan rock edicts are also gaining attention.

The state’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries continue to draw large numbers. Known as the “Tiger State” for its population of big cats, Madhya Pradesh has 12 national parks and 9 tiger reserves. Domestic and foreign tourists visit these places for jungle safaris, bird watching, and nature tours. Kuno Palpur National Park, which reintroduced African cheetahs, has drawn global attention and media coverage.

Nature tourism has grown around destinations like Pachmarhi, Bhedaghat, and Hanuwantiya. Pachmarhi, the state’s only hill station, recorded nearly 3 lakh visitors. Bhedaghat’s marble cliffs and waterfalls brought in over 2 lakh. Places like Sailani Island, Gandhi Sagar, and Patalkot Valley are becoming known for ecotourism and water-based activities. These locations offer camping, trekking, and boating.

Rural tourism has added a new layer. The state has built 63 tourism villages. Homestays—now more than 470 across Madhya Pradesh—hosted over 24,000 tourists in 2024. These give visitors a direct look into rural life. Villages like Pranpur in Chanderi, known for its handloom heritage, have become key stops. Local art forms such as Gond painting, Bhil art, and Mandana are also drawing interest.

Film tourism is another rising sector. Maheshwar and Chanderi remain popular with filmmakers. Stree 2 was shot in Chanderi, which drew nearly 48,000 tourists in 2024. Maheshwar, featured in multiple Bollywood productions, saw over 13 lakh visitors. Recent films like Homebound, shot in Madhya Pradesh, gained international recognition, including at the Cannes Film Festival. The new Film Policy 2025 aims to push this further by offering incentives and easing permissions.

Urban tourism has shown steady growth. Indore topped the list with over 1 crore visitors. Jabalpur and Bhopal followed with 23 lakh and 22 lakh, respectively. Indore’s reputation for cleanliness and food helped boost its numbers. Bhopal, with its blend of lakes and cultural spots like the Tribal Museum and Van Vihar National Park remain a favourite for short city breaks.

Better infrastructure, Better Tourism

“Spiritual tourism is growing fast in Madhya Pradesh,” said Sheo Shekhar Shukla, principal secretary, tourism and culture. “Better roads and direct connections to religious and heritage sites are making travel easier. Shorter travel time and lower costs will help strengthen key tourism routes.”

Tourism officials say the surge reflects improved infrastructure, strong promotion, and the appeal of Madhya Pradesh’s varied offerings. The jump from 2.14 crore tourist visits in 2020 to over 13 crore in 2024 shows the pace of recovery and growth. With continued investment in travel, hospitality, and site development, the state is betting on tourism as a major economy. 

The Madhya Pradesh government released the Tourism Policy 2025 on February 28 this year. The new policy aims to develop tourism in a balanced way. It focuses on protecting heritage, promoting eco-tourism, and creating more jobs in the sector. The goal is to offer visitors a complete and satisfying experience.

The policy encourages private investment. It promises clear rules and faster approvals. It also pushes for better roads, facilities, and basic infrastructure at tourist sites.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will lead the efforts. It will handle planning, expansion, and promotion of tourism services. The policy will remain in force for five years. The government plans to review and expand it to support new tourism projects. 

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