Madhya Pradesh touts authentic tourism at ITB Asia 2026

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board used ITB Asia 2026 in Singapore to pitch the state as a destination for wildlife, heritage, rural travel and community-based experiences. Officials said the push is aimed at drawing visitors beyond established hotspots and building more balanced tourism demand.

Why it matters: - Madhya Pradesh is trying to position itself for higher-value tourism growth by steering international travelers toward lesser-known destinations, not just the state’s headline sites. - The state is linking tourism expansion to local livelihoods, women’s participation and community-led experiences, which could widen the economic impact beyond major monuments and parks. - The pitch matters for tour operators looking for itineraries that combine heritage, wildlife, food and culture in one destination.

What happened: - Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board presented the state’s tourism offerings at ITB Asia 2026, held Oct. 21-23 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. - Dr. Ilayaraja T., secretary of tourism for the Government of Madhya Pradesh and managing director of MPTB, spoke at the National Tourism Organisation Talk Session. - Dr. Ilayaraja T. spoke on “Redistributing Demand Through Discovery” and urged international travelers to explore destinations beyond conventional tourism circuits. - Dr. Ilayaraja T. invited tour operators and travelers to discover Madhya Pradesh through rural landscapes, cultural traditions, wildlife, heritage and local communities.

The details: - Madhya Pradesh has more than 25% of its geographical area under forest cover. - The state has more than nine tiger reserves and wildlife including tigers, cheetahs, leopards, vultures and gharials. - Pench National Park offers wildlife exploration and nature walks. - River rafting on the Betwa River near Orchha adds an adventure element to the state’s tourism mix. - Madhya Pradesh has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Sanchi Stupa, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments and the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters. - The state also has 19 sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List. - Those sites highlight Buddhist heritage, historic architecture, prehistoric art and cultural traditions. - Madhya Pradesh is expanding helicopter tourism services to improve connectivity to selected destinations across its large geography. - The state’s rural tourism initiatives let visitors experience local lifestyles, traditional knowledge, crafts and regional hospitality through community-based experiences. - The state’s cultural identity spans five major cultural regions and tribal traditions. - Craft traditions include Chanderi and Maheshwari textiles, Gond painting and Bhopal’s Zari-Zardozi embroidery. - Women participate in the tourism sector as safari drivers and in hotels operated entirely by women. - Madhya Pradesh is developing film tourism with its varied landscapes, heritage locations and film-friendly policies. - The state has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Spanish Film Commission to deepen international collaboration in film tourism. - The tourism portfolio also includes cultural festivals, spiritual destinations, adventure activities, traditional crafts and regional cuisine. - Local food examples include Malwa’s poha-jalebi and Ratlami sev, dal-bafla, Gajak from Morena and traditional mutton preparations associated with Nawabi cuisine and Bundeli regions.

Between the lines: - The state’s message is that tourism demand can be spread more evenly if travelers are given stronger reasons to go beyond the most famous sites. - The emphasis on community tourism and women-led operations suggests Madhya Pradesh wants tourism to be seen as an economic development tool, not just a visitor-attraction strategy. - The film tourism push signals an effort to use creative-industry visibility to build longer-term destination awareness.

What's next: - Madhya Pradesh is seeking new itineraries and partnerships with international tour operators centered on authentic, responsible and immersive tourism. - The state plans to keep expanding access to destinations through new experiences and improved connectivity. - Officials want more visitors to engage with the state’s nature, heritage, food and community-based offerings rather than concentrate only on established circuits.

The bottom line: - Madhya Pradesh is selling itself as a broad, experience-rich destination and using ITB Asia 2026 to court global trade partners for a more diversified tourism model.