The seventh edition of the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart (MPTM) commenced in Bhopal, hosting a four-day event at the Kushabhau Thackeray Convention Centre (Minto Hall). The mart was inaugurated on Wednesday by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
Approximately 100 guests from 34 countries, including the United States, France, Japan, and Italy, are participating in the event. The platform supports business-to-business networking among domestic and international tourism professionals.
Buyer-seller meetings take place daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A tourism exhibition was launched on the second day of the mart by Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and Tourism Ministry Secretary Bhuvnesh
Kumar, expanding collaboration opportunities within the sector.
Special sessions include a discussion titled “A Living Landscape of India’s Wildlife: Madhya Pradesh as India’s Wildlife Capital.” Strategic round-table meetings focus on positioning Madhya Pradesh as a leading adventure destination by 2030 and enhancing its status as a hub for conferences and exhibitions.
Dr. Ilaiyaraja T., Secretary, Tourism and Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, reported a 57% increase in tourist arrivals in 2025, reaching a total of 21.05 crore visitors. MPTM 2026 aims to convert this growth into global investment, infrastructure development, and sustainable livelihoods.
A live culinary counter
named “Maa Ki Rasoi” features traditional Madhya Pradesh dishes linked to the United Nations’ millet promotion mission. The menu includes kodo-methi bhat, jowar-bajra rotis, and Dal-Bafla, among other regional specialties.
Following the event, 16 familiarisation tours (FAM trips) will be conducted involving over 200 experts. These tours cover the Heritage Circuit (Khajuraho, Orchha, Mandu, Maheshwar, Gwalior, Sanchi, and Bhimbetka), Wildlife Circuit (Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna, Satpura, and Kuno Cheetah Sanctuary), Spiritual Circuit (Ujjain Mahakal Mahalok, Omkareshwar Ekatm Dham, Chitrakoot, and Amarkantak), and Adventure Water Tourism Circuit (Pachmarhi, Chanderi, Tawa, Gandhi Sagar).
During their stay in Bhopal, delegates experience heritage walks,
bird watching at Van Vihar, shikara rides on the Upper Lake, and wellness yoga sessions, enhancing their understanding of the region’s tourism offerings.
