Chief Minister Dr. Yadav to Address Davos Session Focused on Investment in Tourism

The heartland of India, Madhya Pradesh, has today established a strong global identity in the tourism sector, marked by renewed confidence, fresh energy, and a visionary approach. The state represents an extraordinary confluence of breathtaking natural beauty, rich historical heritage, deep spiritual faith, and diverse wildlife. To showcase these strengths and the state’s vast investment potential on a global platform, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will address a session focused on investment in tourism at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that, inspired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visionary mantra of ‘Development as well as Heritage’, Madhya Pradesh has developed tourism as a powerful instrument of inclusive and sustainable growth. As a result, the state has recorded the arrival of more than 133 million tourists in recent years, reflecting growing national and international confidence in Madhya Pradesh.

Spiritual tourism has emerged as a defining identity of the state. More than 65 million devotees have visited the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. Along with this, historic and religious destinations such as Khajuraho, Sanchi, Orchha, Maheshwar, Amarkantak, and Chitrakoot continue to attract large numbers of domestic and international tourists.

Through the Tourism Policy–2025 and the Film Tourism Policy–2025, the state government has provided fresh momentum to investment promotion, employment generation, and sustainable tourism development. Under the Film Tourism Policy 2025, Madhya Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a preferred destination for national and international film production, creating new employment opportunities for local artists, technicians and youth.

To strengthen rural tourism, more than 370 homestays have been developed across 81 villages, with a target of expanding this number to 1,000. This initiative is reinforcing the rural economy while providing direct income and employment opportunities to local communities.

To further enhance tourism infrastructure, cities including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Gwalior, Rewa, Singrauli and Khajuraho have been connected through air services under the PM Shri Tourism Air Service. Additionally, the PM Shri Tourism Heli Service offers tourists fast, safe and convenient travel options.

With 18 national awards, including ‘Best Tourism State of the Year’, the inclusion of four heritage sites from the state in the UNESCO Tentative List, and the presence of 15 out of India’s 69 UNESCO heritage sites in Madhya Pradesh, the state’s global tourism potential and prestige stand strongly reinforced. Today, Madhya Pradesh is fully prepared to welcome global investors and tourists alike at the vibrant intersection of tourism, tradition, and progress.