Latest news with #SheoShekharShukla
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Plans afoot to develop craft & handloom village in Maheshwar
Indore: The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) is planning to involve local artisans from Kharia village in Maheshwar through choupals, aiming to transform the village into a craft and handloom hub. In Maheshwar, the board intends to develop a textile village, cafeteria, traditionally designed home stays, and restaurants that will be operated by the local community. Kharia village in Maheshwar is home to more than 100 weavers. "A choupal is planned for next week with artisans at Kharia village in Maheshwar to understand their needs and explore how the craft tourism village could help transform their lives. This initiative will give them an economic tool to enhance their income and a platform to showcase Maheshwari textile to all discerning tourists coming to see the beauty of quaint Maheshwar and expanse of grand Narmada," said tourism and culture principal secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla. The choupal will be attended by villagers, representatives from NGOs, and senior officials from the tourism department. MPTB has submitted a proposal to handlooms development commissioner for developing "textile tourism" in Maheshwar. The villages of Kharia and Keriakhedi in Maheshwar accommodate approximately 146 weavers. The estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs 511 crore. The proposed project will also feature an experience centre, cycling tracks and common areas, alongside scenic ghats, all aimed at enhancing local infrastructure and attracting tourists. The tourism board is also working on establishing another craft village in Dhar to promote the renowned Bagh print. Kukshi and Bagh, notable areas in Dhar district, are famous for their unique Bagh print — a traditional hand-block printing technique using natural colours and vegetable dyes. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Skift
03-07-2025
- Skift
Bollywood, Experiences and Homestays: Inside Madhya Pradesh's Tourism Overhaul
Madhya Pradesh's tourism strategy shows how Indian states are combining experiential elements to attract more travelers. While recent growth is promising, addressing infrastructure and accessibility challenges will be key to sustaining momentum. Madhya Pradesh recorded an over 50% surge in tourism last year, compared to pre-pandemic levels. The state welcomed 134 million tourists in 2024, up from 89 million in 2019, according to the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. Sheo Shekhar Shukla, managing director at Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, in a conversation with Skift attributed this growth to the state's shift away from traditional, site-centric tourism toward a more diversified, experience-driven strategy. Diversifying Beyond Landmark Destinations: Shukla said visitor interest is expanding beyond marquee destinations like Khajuraho and Orchha to emerging hotspots such as Kanha, Pench, and Bandhavgarh, where hotel chain The Leela is developing a new luxury property near Bandhavgarh National Park. Over the past few years, Madhya Pradesh has introduced initiatives including luxury tent cities, eco-safaris, river cruises, adventure tourism, film tourism, and rural homestays to broaden its appeal. Film Tourism, Diverse Initiatives Drive Footfall: The state's Film Tourism Policy, which offers subsidies of up to INR 100 million ($1.2 million) for international productions, has positioned Madhya Pradesh as a filming hotspot, he said. Recent Indian productions like Panchayat, Gullak, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Laapataa Ladies, and Homebound were filmed across the state. According to Shukla, locations featured in major productions saw a 30–35% rise in tourist footfall during peak seasons after their release. This strategy mirrors global examples where film-driven tourism boosted arrivals - such as Ladakh after 3 Idiots and Spain after Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Similarly, Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad draws 1.5 million visitors annually, blending production and tourism. To tap into demand for authentic experiences, Madhya Pradesh has ramped up its rural tourism push. Last month, the state launched 241 homestays across 37 districts, with a target of establishing 1,000 homestays statewide to attract travelers beyond urban centers. Connectivity Still a Challenge: Despite its growth, the state faces hurdles around infrastructure and accessibility. To address this, Madhya Pradesh has launched PM Shri Vayu Paryatan Sewa, India's first intra-state air service, connecting cities including Bhopal, Khajuraho, Rewa, Singrauli, and Ujjain. The state is also investing in cruise tourism, with plans for a 120-km Narmada river cruise and terminals at Omkareshwar, Gwalior, and Vidisha, developed under public-private partnerships. Goibibo Launches AI-Powered Video Campaign Online travel platform Goibibo has launched an AI-powered video campaign in partnership with video platform TrueFan AI. Under the partnership, the company is delivering hyper-personalized video messages featuring the company's brand ambassador Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant. Goibibo hopes to increase customer engagement through this initiative by targeting users who search for trips but leave without booking. 'These travelers receive a prompt featuring Rishabh Pant in a personalized, AI-generated video that addresses them by name and references their searched destination or mode of transport,' the company said in a statement. 'Our goal is to build a more genuine and personal relationship between the brand and each user through direct and individualized interactions. We've seen that video campaigns tend to drive higher click-through rates than text-based ones,' said Raj Rishi Singh, chief marketing officer at Goibibo. This is a growing trend among Indian online travel agencies. Last month, Agoda launched an AI vacation planner featuring Bollywood actor and Agoda brand ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. In the videos, Khurrana addresses travelers by their first name using AI and then proceeds to share travel attractions suited to them based on their personal needs in a bid to build emotional connect. Indian Railways Rolls Out Superapp for All Passenger Services Indian Railways Tuesday launched its superapp RailOne to offer all passenger services on one platform. The app has been designed to do away with the need for multiple apps used by passengers for different services. RailOne will allow travelers to book tickets, get PNR status updates, track train coach positions, submit grievances, and order food. The app will also allow access to R-Wallet - the digital wallet for Indian Railways - and passengers will be able to add funds to the wallet for any transactions. IHG Signs Holiday Inn Hotel in Bengaluru IHG Hotels and Resorts has signed an agreement for development of a Holiday Inn-branded hotel in Bengaluru Electronic City. The 200-key property is expected to open in the first quarter of 2029. 'Bengaluru remains a key market for IHG,' said Sudeep Jain, managing director for South West Asia at IHG. He said that the city's prominence as a global technology and business hub, and its status as one of India's fastest-growing metropolitan cities makes it a crucial market. IHG currently has 48 operational hotels in the country, and has 63 more in the pipeline that are slated to open in the next 3-5 years. 650 Million Tourists Visited Uttar Pradesh in Fiscal Year 2025 The northern state of Uttar Pradesh was visited by 650 million tourists in the 2025 fiscal year. While domestic tourists from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh led the charge, the state also received international visitors from Thailand, South Korea, and Myanmar. The state has been witnessing a tourism surge. In the 2024 calendar year, the state had received a record tourist footfall of 649 million, up over 170 million from 2023. Over 2.3 million international tourists visited the state in 2024, an increase of 25% year-on-year. According to the state government, a tourist staying in Uttar Pradesh for one night is currently spending INR 5,400 ($63) on an average, while a long-term traveler is spending around INR 7,500 ($88). Hotel stays accounted for over 40% of tourist accommodations in the state, and inter-district travel within the state contributed to 80% of all tourism activity. State officials are expecting this number to likely double in the current financial year. To support this, the state has added 100,000 new hotel rooms. Radisson Opens Radisson Individuals Hotel in Kevadia, Gujarat Radisson Hotel Group has opened D Square Statue of Unity Kevadia, a member of Radisson Individuals in Gujarat. The 91-key property is located near the famous Statue of Unity in the state. 'With this property, we further strengthen our footprint in Gujarat - one of India's fastest-growing tourism corridors,' said Nikhil Sharma, managing director and COO for South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group. 'The region has seen remarkable development in recent years, including improved connectivity, new airports and government-led initiatives to promote cultural, spiritual and ecological tourism,' he added. Radisson's portfolio in India has expanded to 200 operational and developing properties. In an interview with Skift earlier this year, Sharma said that Indians relate to Radisson as an Indian brand. 'As an international brand, we are very local and nationalistic in our approach. We continue to grow because more than 50% of our portfolio is in smaller cities.' Over the next 5-7 years, he believes that Radisson could easily reach 500 operating hotels. 'If we want India to develop, the growth has to be beyond the top 10 cities. That is where we have been focused,' he said.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MP tourism eyes growth with roadshow in Kashi
Varanasi: With an aim to steer Madhya Pradesh's tourism industry towards fresh growth and investment, the MP Tourism Board organised a roadshow in Varanasi on Friday. The event saw participation from tourism stakeholders, tour operators, travel agents and hospitality professionals from both MP and Uttar Pradesh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It also served as a key build-up to the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart and Regional Tourism Conclave. The event was attended by Sheo Shekhar Shukla, principal secretary, tourism, culture, and religious trusts & endowments department, and managing director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board. Speaking on the occasion, Shukla said that MP stands as one of India's most diverse and culturally vibrant tourism destinations. With deep religious and tourism linkages between MP and UP, including the presence of two Jyotirlingas — Baba Mahakal (Ujjain) and Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi) — the proposed Ganga–Narmada Tourism Corridor is expected to connect key destinations such as Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar. The corridor will promote bilateral cooperation between the two states and provide a rich and varied tourism experience for visitors.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New boat clubs may come up in PPP mode
Indore: Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) is planning to add new boat clubs in public private partnership (PPP) mode in the state to enhance water activities to attract tourist influx. The new locations identified for establishing new boat clubs are Kukshi in Dhar, Ramaua Dam in Gwalior and in Vidisha. Another proposed boat club at Gambhir dam in Ujjain is expected to be operational before Simhastha 2028. Sheo Shekhar Shukla, principal secretary of Tourism and Culture said, "We are creating many new boat clubs using PPP models in the state. The idea is to add more amenities and develop water activities in the state which has a lot of scenic places to develop for water activities. This will attract tourists and generate high revenues for the govt." Corporation runs 14 boat clubs in the state. "We have floated proposals for starting new boat clubs at around 3-4 places in the state. At Kukshi, the plan is to introduce speed boat, pedal boats and other water activities," said commander Rajendra Nigam (Retd.), Adviser Water Tourism, MPTDC. He said that the tourism department is also planning to develop the vicinity near Gambhir Dam into a weekend getaway by improving infrastructure and setting up a boat club. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo The proposed boat club at Gambhir Dam estimated to be develop at a cost of Rs 16 crore will have electrical boats, shikaras and a mini cruise. The tourism corporation has also proposed to establish a new boat club at Omkareshwar to further expand the range of tourist attractions in Indore region that has witnessed a remarkable surge in tourists footfall in the past two-three years mostly because of the spike in religious tourism.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Time of India
MP explores cruising options, feasibility study underway
Indore: Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) is mulling over starting short and medium distance crusing excursions for tourists in the backwaters at potential locations in the state for which a feasibility study has been initiated. The short and medium distance cruising excursions will be part of the proposed 120 km cruise expedition on the Narmada River that will traverse from Ekatma Dham (the Statue of Oneness) situated at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh to the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya, Gujarat. As per the initial proposal, a 2 night crusing excursion is being planned from Kukshi to Sardar Sarovar while day cruising is planned for about 45 minutes in and around Kukshi in Dhar district. The board has initiated a feasibility study to evaluate short and medium distance cruise operations in the backwaters of Gandhisagar, Rajghat (Chanderi), Omkareshwar, Indira Sagar, Tawa and Bargi dams. Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture, said we are doing feasibility study for short and medium distance cruise operations in the backwaters of Gandhisagar, Rajghat (Chanderi), Omkareshwar, Indira Sagar, Tawa and Bargi dams. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pensioners Born Before 1971 Wanted To Test Hearing Aids Best Hearing Aids Apply Now Undo The board is mulling over various cruising excursions for visitors following guidelines of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, which was enacted in India to revise the registration and regulation of vessels operating in inland waterways. Commander Rajendra Nigam (retd), Adviser Water Tourism, MPTDC said excursions are being planned following the guidelines of the Inland Vessels Act (INVA) 2021. The cruise operations will be conducted on a Public-Private Partnerships mode for which the board has received around 3-4 expressions of interest. For the project, a total of four terminals will be established along the 120 km route of which two terminals will be constructed in MP at Kukshi and Sakarja in Alirajpur district, and the other two terminals shall be established at Hanfeshwar and Mokhadi in Gujarat.
