MP, a Unique Confluence of Cultural Beauty, Heritage and Rich Traditions: Principal Secretary Shukla

A roundtable discussion on “MICE and Wedding Tourism” was organised by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board in collaboration with the FICCI Wedding Tourism Committee at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre, Bhopal. The session was conducted by Shri Chetan Vohra, Chairman of the FICCI Wedding Tourism Committee.

Shri Shiv Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of the Tourism and Culture Department and Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, said that Madhya Pradesh, situated in the heart of India, enjoys excellent connectivity to major cities by road, rail, and air. The state offers a remarkable blend of modern convention centers, luxury hotels, natural beauty, historical heritage, and vibrant cultural legacy, making it an ideal destination for weddings and MICE events.

He added that the state government, in collaboration with tourism stakeholders, is committed to establishing Madhya Pradesh as a sustainable global destination. All valuable suggestions received during the discussion will be considered to strengthen this sector, which holds vast potential for boosting the state’s economy and generating large-scale employment.

Shri Vivek Jud, Deputy Director (Events & Marketing) of the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation, delivered a presentation highlighting the state’s tourism opportunities. He informed that destinations like Khajuraho, Mandu, Orchha, Maheshwar, Bhopal, Pachmarhi, and Pench are being developed as international-standard venues for MICE and destination weddings.

Wedding and MICE experts from across the country shared their insights during the event. Shri Amit Hooda (Wedding Connections & AHA, Jaipur) emphasized the importance of strong connectivity and infrastructure for the growth of this sector. Smt. Ekta Saigal Lulla (ESL Events) suggested developing more unique locations in the state to make Madhya Pradesh a globally attractive wedding destination.

Smt. Isha Agarwal (Wedding Chapters) highlighted the need to engage with hoteliers to ensure balanced pricing during the wedding season. Shri Vikramjit Sharma (Le Florence Weddings) proposed creating a “One-Stop Approval System” for swift permissions for large-scale events to enhance international confidence.

Smt. Shruti Singh (Wedding & Travel Journalist) stressed the need for effective promotion of the state’s natural, cultural, and historical assets through modern media. Shri Rajeev Malhotra (CEO, Lotus Exhibitions) underlined the potential for trade fairs and exhibitions and suggested strengthening local event facilities to support both tourism and business growth.

Shri Suraj Dhawan (Director, Falcon Exhibitions) noted that India’s exhibition industry is among the fastest-growing in the world, expanding at an annual rate of around 40 percent, presenting Madhya Pradesh with the right opportunity to capitalize on this momentum.

Representatives from leading hotels, including Taj and Marriott, were also present and expressed their willingness to collaborate with the state government to jointly develop a strategic roadmap for wedding and MICE tourism.