MP witnesses 620 % increase in tourists in 7 years

Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a record 620 per cent increase in number of tourists from India and abroad in the last seven years.

In 2005-06, only 74,14,375 tourists from India and abroad visited the state, while in 2012-13, a record 5,34,13,039 came to MP, State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) General Manager RP Chouhan said.

Thus, in the last seven years from 2005-06 to 2012-13, a total 620.40 per cent increase in tourists arrival was recorded in the state, Chouhan said.

In the last two years, there was a sharp increase in tourist arrival, while in the current year 2013-14, a total of 6.33 crore tourists have already visited the state, he said.

MPSTDC's earning was Rs 12.80 crore in 2003-04, which went up to Rs 91 crore in 2012-13 and thus, there was an increase of 610.94 per cent in the earnings in the last nine years, he said.

There was a budget of Rs 15 crore for Madhya Pradesh tourism in 2004-05 which increased up to Rs 150 crore in 2013-14, going up ten times during the last nine years, official sources said.

The new areas like eco tourism, heritage tourism and spiritual tourism have attracted tourists from India and abroad, Chouhan said, adding that state has secured a strong visibility on the world tourism map.

MP recently got the award for best comprehensive development of tourism, and for best tourism film and best civic management of tourist destination - hill station Pachmarhi. It also received the award for making the best TV film 'Sau tarah ke rang hain...Malang hain', for boosting tourism, he said.

A total of 1.12 crore tourists visited the state in 2006-07, which increased up to 1.41 crore in 2007-08 and the number went up to 2.23 crore in 2008-09. In 2009-10, the figure increased to 2.32 crore, in 2010-11 to 3.83 crore and in 2011-12 to 4.43 crore, he said.

Madhya Pradesh already enjoys a global identity of having three world monuments Bhim Baithka, Sanchi and Khajuraho.