The Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2026 entered its second day on Thursday, 8 October 2026, at the Kushabhau Thackeray Convention Centre (Minto Hall) in Bhopal. This seventh edition of the four-day event was inaugurated on Wednesday by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. Around 100 delegates from 34 countries, including the United States, France, Japan and Italy, are attending the largest business-to-business (B2B) networking platform focused on Madhya Pradesh’s tourism sector to date.
Buyer-Seller Meetings and Tourism Exhibition
Buyer-seller meetings were conducted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, providing a structured platform for international and domestic tour operators to exchange packages and insights. The
event included the inauguration of a tourism exhibition by Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and Tourism Ministry Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar on the same morning. Following the exhibition launch, a themed discussion session titled “A Living Landscape of India’s Wildlife: Madhya Pradesh as India’s Wildlife Capital” was held. Strategic round-table meetings then focused on establishing Madhya Pradesh as India’s premier adventure tourism destination by 2030, while also emphasizing the development of the state as a conference and exhibition hub to strengthen its economy.
International Participation and Tourism Growth
Participants at the Mart represent countries such as the United States, France, Japan and Italy. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board
Secretary and Managing Director Dr Ilaiyaraja T. reported a historic 57 percent increase in tourist arrivals in 2025, raising the total visitors to 21.05 crore. This surge underscores growing interest in Madhya Pradesh as a major travel destination. The event aims to translate this rapid growth into increased global investment, enhanced infrastructure, and sustainable livelihoods within the tourism industry.
Cuisine Promotion and ‘Maa Ki Rasoi’
A live counter named “Maa Ki Rasoi” introduced attendees to traditional, nutritious dishes native to Madhya Pradesh, aligning with the United Nations’ millet promotion initiative. Featured foods included kodo-methi bhat, jowar-bajra rotis, potatoes in buttermilk, chakki ka saag, nighauna, the Malwa-Nimar
specialty dal-bafla, roasted aubergine bharta, and freshly made chutneys prepared on a sil-batta.
Familiarisation Tours and Delegate Activities
Post-event, 16 special familiarisation tours will be conducted for national and international delegates, involving over 200 experts. These tours will provide hands-on experience of Madhya Pradesh’s diverse tourism offerings across four main circuits:
Heritage Circuit covering Khajuraho, Orchha, Mandu, Maheshwar, Gwalior, Sanchi and Bhimbetka Wildlife Circuit including Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna, Satpura and Kuno Cheetah Sanctuary Spiritual Circuit featuring Ujjain Mahakal Mahalok, Omkareshwar Ekatm Dham, Chitrakoot, and Amarkantak Adventure Water Tourism Circuit spanning Pachmarhi, Chanderi, Tawa, and Gandhi Sagar
Delegates will also partake in heritage walks, Van
Vihar bird watching tours, shikara rides on Upper Lake, and wellness yoga sessions during their stay in Bhopal.
Officials and Strategic Goals
Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and Tourism Ministry Secretary Bhuvnesh Kumar officially inaugurated the B2B meetings and exhibition on Thursday. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav opened the travel mart on Wednesday. According to Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board sources, the event is a strategic platform designed to propel Madhya Pradesh’s tourism industry by fostering investment, infrastructure modernization, and job creation. The focus on wildlife conservation, adventure tourism expansion, and integrating local cuisine with global sustainability goals aims to position the state as a top
national and international travel destination by 2030.
