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In a significant move to position Madhya Pradesh as a leading destination for sustainable and rural tourism, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), under the aegis of its State Development Council and Madhya Pradesh State Chapter, organized the “Madhya Pradesh Tourism Sustainability Summit 2025” in Bhopal on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
The summit served as a collaborative platform, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, members of the diplomatic community, international agencies, tourism practitioners, and media to ideate and plan actionable steps toward promoting tourism sustainability in the heart of India.
Addressing the summit as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker, Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishvas Sarang emphasized the state’s potential in various tourism segments—from spiritual and wildlife to forest and ancient cultural tourism—all deeply rooted in the rural environment. He remarked, “Madhya Pradesh is a very organized destination for tourism. With collaborative efforts, we aim to make MP the number one state in the country in terms of tourism.”
The summit not only focused on strengthening Madhya Pradesh’s position as a “Sustainable Tourism Destination”, but also aimed at enhancing cooperation at multiple levels—national, regional, and international.
PHDCCI Secretary Atul K Thakur highlighted the summit’s role in promoting both sustainable and rural tourism. He noted, “Madhya Pradesh Tourism Sustainability Summit is an initiative to drive forward the agenda of rural tourism. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and PHDCCI, India’s oldest industry association, have been jointly working in this direction. This summit is a reflection of our collective commitment.”
The event witnessed the participation of around 150 delegates, including renowned tourism experts from both government and private sectors. The discussions extended beyond traditional tourism and touched upon its cascading benefits across allied sectors such as agriculture, food processing, medical tourism, film tourism, and wildlife tourism.
A key highlight of the summit was the focus on homestay facilities, with the minister stating that such initiatives have already begun in hundreds of villages. This, he said, would give tourists a chance to experience authentic rural culture and traditions, further boosting the rural economy.
The summit concluded with a strong consensus on creating a forward-looking action plan to elevate tourism in Madhya Pradesh while ensuring it aligns with sustainable development goals.