A New Narrative of Luxury in the Heartland of History

V.K. Sanju

Madhya Pradesh is initiating new changes by seamlessly integrating ancient monuments with world-class facilities. The goal is to make the heartland of India, where heritage, nature, and adventure converge, a world-class tourism destination.

Madhya Pradesh, which holds a crucial place on India's historical map, is striving to perfect the visual experiences it offers to tourists. The plan is to provide modern luxury facilities without compromising the authenticity of the state's ancient heritage sites. The State Tourism Board assesses that this approach, which combines heritage conservation with tourism development, will appeal equally to those interested in history and those who prefer luxury travel.

Based on this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This aims to elevate visitor facilities at ASI-protected monuments to meet global standards, focusing on both promotion and precise conservation of heritage sites.

Golf Course Near Sanchi: A project costing Rs 246 crore is underway near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sanchi. It will include 217 luxury rooms and villas, five specialty restaurants, and an 18-hole international golf course. This offers an opportunity to experience ancient history and modern luxury life simultaneously.

Nazarpura Island Wellness: The beautiful Nazarpura Island on the Indira Sagar Reservoir will be developed into a comprehensive wellness center at a cost of Rs 140 crore. It will feature 106 luxury rooms, a wellness center including spa, meditation, and yoga, along with water sports facilities.

Glamping Instead of Camping: Madhya Pradesh is moving towards the 'Glamping' (Glamorous Camping) culture instead of traditional accommodation. Agreements have been signed to establish Tent Cities, each with a minimum of 50 luxury tents, in Hanuwantiya, Tamia, Mandu, and Orchha. The intention is to turn these locations into centers for diverse adventure tourism focused on land, air, and water activities.

Village Vibes: The 'Village Vibes' exhibition, which was a major attraction at the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart, showcased the state's authentic rural beauty to the world. Live demonstrations of traditional arts like Gond painting and Chanderi saree weaving, along with the distinctness of the rural kitchen, were very attractive to foreign travelers.

Entrepreneurship Through Homestays: Rural homestay operators were given the opportunity to establish direct connections with international tour operators. The goal of this scheme is to ensure that the revenue generated through tourism directly benefits the lives of local entrepreneurs.

Helicopter Services: To overcome the challenge of connecting remote tourist centers, Madhya Pradesh has launched regional helicopter services. This plan, which connects pilgrimage centers like Ujjain and Omkareshwar and wildlife sanctuaries like Bandhavgarh and Kanha, will be a great boon for time-conscious travelers.