Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Union Minister for Domestic Tourism and Culture in India Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hailed nature's ‘touristy’ wonders that Madhya Pradesh constitutes, backed by the state government's attractive incentives, on day-2 of Global Investors Summit 2025.
In the beginning of his address, the minister said, "My journalist fellows asked me many times, what would I be doing, had I not been in the field of politics?"
As the response to this question he said, "Because I have had a bond with Hospitality sector, I now can answer them very confidently, that I would be creating some tourism infrastructure in the state of Shukla sahab and Mohan ji (MP CM Mohan Yadav and Shiv Shankar Shukla)."
India earns ₹1.3k crores from foreign tourists
While addressing the ‘tourism session’ at Bhopal’s IGRMS on Tuesday, minister Shekhawat informed that India earned a total of ₹1.3k crores through inbound tourism (foreign tourists) and ₹250 crores through domestic tourism (Indian tourists) in the year 2024.
He also implied that the figures for the year 2025 are expected to grow manifolds, keeping Mahakumbh Mela in mind.
‘Madhya Pradesh satisfies all expectations of tourist’
Addressing the gathering, the minister said, “India encapsulates unlimited potential, especially Madhya Pradesh, when it comes to tourism. The heart of India has everything that a tourist can wonder to explore. It has mountains and forests, rich wildlife, nature full of adventure, water bodies, historical monuments, cultural sites and even aqua-sports.”
‘The infrastructural growth has also been favourable for attracting more tourism to the state,” he concluded.
‘Would have opened a hotel in MP!’
Hailing the incentives offered by the state to businesses, the minister said he would have opened a hotel in Madhya Pradesh, if he were not interested in politics.
“Had I not been into politics, I would have definitely started a hotel in Madhya Pradesh, one more time,” the minister stated.
Predicting the future scope, minister Shekhawat said out of all states, Madhya Pradesh would attract the most investments in the hospitality and travel & tourism industry.
