*Homestays Bringing Alive the Spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava”
*Helicopter Services to Soon Begin for Tourists in the State
*CM Dr. Yadav Virtually Inaugurates 241 Homestays
*District Collectors Achieving 100% Homestay Targets Felicitated
*Commendation Certificates Presented to 16 Village Panchayat Sarpanchs and Inst itutions
*Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav Addresses the State-Level Festival ‘Grameen Rang – Paryatan Sang’
TTT NEWS NETWORK
BHOPAL | 18 JUNE 2025
Bhopal, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that rural tourism is a potent means of self-reliance and pride. At the village level, tourism activities provide youth with local employment and economic growth opportunities, while also showcasing our rich cultural heritage, festivals, and cuisine on national and international platforms. The growing network of homestays in the state is embodying the Indian cultural tradition of “Atithi Devo Bhava.” The combined efforts of homestay operators and the State Government aim to ensure that every guest visiting Madhya Pradesh carries back positive impressions and cherished memories. Departments such as Panchayat and Rural Development and Tribal Affairs are working in coordination in this regard.
Dr. Yadav highlighted the age-old Indian tradition of pilgrimage. While people in other parts of the world travel for leisure, Indians undertake spiritual journeys such as the Char Dham Yatra, embracing Sanatan cultural values and discovering the diverse lifestyles and traditions across states. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is fostering mutual trust in alignment with Indian values. Despite global disruptions, India continues its path of progress. Addressing the ‘Grameen Rang – Paryatan Sang’ state-level celebration, CM Dr. Yadav expressed these thoughts and inaugurated the event with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony at Kushabhau Thakre Auditorium.
Website Launch for Responsible Tourism Mission and Exhibition Visit:
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav visited the exhibition set up by district participants and institutions focused on rural tourism, where he also crafted clay artworks on the potter’s wheel.
As part of the Responsible Tourism Mission, the Chief Minister e-launched a microsite aimed at expanding rural tourism and facilitating online homestay bookings. This digital platform offers tourists a glimpse into rural life and immersive experiences across the state. Additionally, he virtually inaugurated 241 homestays established in various villages.
MoUs Signed to Promote Tourism:
In the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, four key MoUs were signed to enhance rural tourism and livelihood opportunities. One MoU was signed between the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) and Divya Yog Mandir Trust (Patanjali) to promote development in rural areas, empower women and marginalised communities, and improve tourism infrastructure in homestay clusters and tourist villages. The MoU was signed by Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department, and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, along with scientific advisors Dr. Rajesh Saxena and Dr. Deepika Bhargav from Patanjali.
Another MoU between MPTB and Signify Innovations India Ltd. aims to install energy-efficient LED or solar-powered street lights in 61 tourist villages. CSR Lead Shri Rakesh Singh signed the agreement on behalf of Signify Innovations India Ltd.
To promote tourism, filmmaking, and skill development, an MoU was signed between MPTB and Scope Global Skills University (SGSU), represented by Vice Chancellor Dr. Vijay Singh and Registrar Dr. Sitesh Sinha.
Additionally, to empower rural homestays on digital platforms and connect them with online travel agencies (OTAs), an MoU was signed between MPTB and Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC), signed by Dr. Ilaiya Raja T., Managing Director, MPSTDC and Ms. Bidisha Mukherjee, Additional Managing Director, MPTB.
Tourism to Benefit from Wellness Summit:
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav announced that helicopter services will soon be launched in the state through the State Tourism Board, following the model of Uttarakhand. The state has organised a summit to enhance wellness services for tourists. Visitors will now have access to wildlife, religious, and healthcare tourism, which will further promote medical tourism and strengthen the state economy. The Tourism Board is independently advancing development and the promotional films created are extraordinary. A new strategy should be developed to maximise their usage. Madhya Pradesh is set to claim a top position in the global tourism sector.
CM Dr. Yadav Interacts with Homestay Operators:
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav honoured Collectors of 10 districts that achieved their homestay construction targets under the Rural Tourism Project. These include Shri Raghvendra Singh (Agar Malwa), Shri Parth Jaiswal (Chhatarpur), Shri Shailendra Singh (Chhindwara), Ms. Sonia Meena (Narmadapuram), Shri Ankit Asthana (Morena), Shri Lokesh Kumar Jangid (Niwari), Shri Suresh Kumar (Panna), Ms. Pratibha Pal (Rewa), Shri Balaguru K. (Sehore), and Shri S. Somvanshi (Sidhi), who received mementoes and certificates of appreciation.
Notably, homestays are being developed in 37 districts across the state. Dr. Yadav also honoured representatives from 16 village panchayats and institutions, including DATCCCs, for their contribution to promoting rural tourism. He also interacted with homestay operators from Chhindwara and other districts.
526% Growth in Tourist Numbers:
Dr. Yadav shared that Madhya Pradesh witnessed a 526% increase in tourist footfall in 2024 compared to 2020. Apart from Orchha and Khajuraho, tourist arrivals in Kanha, Pench, and Bandhavgarh also rose significantly. These three parks rank among the top five national parks in India, with Kanha topping the list. India hosts the largest tiger population in the world, and Madhya Pradesh leads within the country. The state is also home to various other wildlife species, including vultures, crocodiles, and gharials. He added that the launch of 241 homestays at major tourist destinations including Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench, is an innovative step, allowing tourists to experience rural life, traditional cuisine, local culture, and music.
Goal Set to Establish 1000 Homestays in the State:
Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) Shri Dharmendra Bhavsingh Lodhi stated that over 134.1 million tourists visited the state last year. Under the leadership of CM Dr. Yadav, the tourism department is promoting innovation in tourism. 241 homestays have been developed in 121 selected villages, and the government has set a target to build 1,000 homestays. It is a matter of pride that villages from Panna (Madla), Niwari (Ladpura Khas), and Sidhi (Khas) have been recognised among the best national tourism villages by the Government of India. With the goal of making every villager self-reliant and making Madhya Pradesh the number one state in tourism, work is progressing under the leadership of CM Dr. Yadav.
Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Shri Vishwas Kailash Sarang noted that under CM Dr. Yadav’s leadership, every sector of the state is advancing. Citizens are being trained as per sector-specific USPs to generate employment opportunities. Madhya Pradesh remains at the forefront of tourism, and homestays are an innovative initiative contributing to this progress.
Facilities for Divyang Tourists at Destinations:
Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department, and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla shed light on the role of the Responsible Tourism Mission. He stated that MP Tourism Corporation is operating in mission mode to develop homestays in rural settings, provide hospitality training, and upgrade facilities. 10,000 women have received training in hospitality. Women from self-help groups and artisans are creating handicrafts, which tourists are purchasing, and these crafts are receiving orders from renowned hotels across India. The Panchayat and Rural Development Department is actively supporting the Tourism Board in promoting village tourism. Facilities for Divyang tourists are being developed at tourist destinations, and CSR funds are being utilised for cleanliness initiatives.
Before the event, CM Dr. Yadav also visited exhibitions showcasing outstanding handicrafts and handlooms such as clay art, Mandna, Chitera, bamboo crafts, hand block printing, Gond paintings, and textiles. He interacted with the artists and encouraged them.
Honour for District Archaeology, Tourism and Culture Councils
Three District Archaeology and Culture Councils were honoured for their contributions to the Rural Tourism Project. These included Niwari Collector Shri Lokesh Kumar Jangid, Chhindwara Collector Shri Shailendra Singh, and Technical Assistant from Khargone Shri Neeraj Amzare.
Recognition for MPSTDC Regional Managers:
For their outstanding work in the Rural Tourism Project, two Regional Managers from MPSTDC were honoured. Shri Ajay Srivastava (Indore) and Shri Sanjay Malhotra (Jabalpur) received certificates of appreciation.
Appreciation for Project Support Organisations (PSOs):
Eight Project Support Organisations (PSOs) that achieved 100% homestay construction targets in their respective areas were honoured. Representing them, Shri R.S. Solanki, COO of IJS, and Shri Avni Mohan Singh, Executive Director of Haritika, were felicitated with commendation certificates and mementoes.
Recognition for Sarpanchs of Best-Performing Villages:
Sixteen sarpanchs who played a key role in the successful implementation of the Rural Tourism Project were recognised. Symbolically, three sarpanchs were felicitated at the event: Smt. Parvati Singh Gond (Khokra, Sidhi), Smt. Kranti Sahu (Dhamna, Chhatarpur), and Shri Rakesh Gurjar (Bhanpura, Agar).
Awards for Six Best Homestays (Three Rural and Three Urban):
Under a competition organised by MP Tourism Board evaluating aspects such as hospitality, tourist-friendly environment, and visitor feedback, awards were presented to six homestays:
* Best Homestay: Sharad Dixit, Grand Homestay, Umaria
* Best Bed & Breakfast: Ankit Rastogi, Surwahi Social Eco Estate, Balaghat
* Best Farmstay: Sakshi Singh, Bundeli Kothi, Tikamgarh
In the Best Gram Stay category:
* First Prize: Kamla Sharma, Mahua Homestay, Ladpura Khas, Niwari
* Second Prize: Kamla Kushwaha, Kamla Homestay, Radhapur, Niwari
* Third Prize: Girija Bai, Girja Homestay, Khari, Sehore
Distribution of Kits to Owners of First Homestays in Villages
CM Dr. Yadav honoured six homestay owners who established the first homestay in their respective villages out of 60 such villages. These included:
* Smt. Ramkali Singh / Shri Jagdish Singh (Maraikala, Umaria)
* Shri Anshul Singh Bundela (Vikrampur, Ashoknagar)
* Shri Ramcharan Pal (Basata, Chhatarpur)
* Smt. Nisha Uikey / Shri Ganesh Uikey (Bancha, Betul)
* Smt. Jhilni / Shri Gamar Singh (Sakarja, Alirajpur)
* Shri Jhalakan Singh Ahirwar (Gadarkhedi, Raisen)
Recognition for Other Contributors:
Hunnarshala Foundation, Bhuj was honoured for providing technical support in homestay construction. The award was received by the Foundation’s head, Shri Mahavir Acharya.
Under the Clean Destination Project, a pilot project supported by Coca-Cola India Foundation and Sahas was initiated in 30 villages near Panna National Park. These villages are being developed as model villages with comprehensive waste management systems. Director Shri Rajeev Gupta received the honour on behalf of the Foundation.
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