Plans to develop over 50 offbeat destinations in the state to cater to tourists seeking experience away from crowded places - Principal Secretary Shukla

- Madhya Pradesh is greenest, cleanest and safest tourist destination-  MD Shri Ilayaraja
- More than 40 thousand women are being trained in tourism sector in Madhya Pradesh.
- Brainstorming on future possibilities in tourism on the second day of the 39th IATO
- Other states and reputed institutions set up stalls in Travel Mart
- Run for Responsible Tourism on Sunday at 6 am on VIP Road
- Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla will conclude the convention

On the second day of the 39th IATO, various sessions were held in which future possibilities, efforts and opportunities in tourism were discussed. The eminent speakers expressed their views on the issues of increasing the number of tourists in the country and the state, economic growth and promotion of tourist destinations. Addressing the first business session on 'Resurgent India Inbound - Strategy to reposition India amid challenging business environment' Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla said “50 new offbeat destinations are being developed to manage the crowded tourist places in the state and for the tourists seeking peace.  More than 40 thousand women are being trained in the tourism sector in an effort to generate employment in the tourism sector and to connect women of the community with tourism.” The session was addressed by Special Secretary Tourism Uttar Pradesh Ms. Isha Priya, MD of Abercrombie & Kent, Vikram Madhok. The session was moderated by Shri Arvind Singh, Secretary (Retd.) to the Government of India. 

Principal Secretary Shri Shukla said that there is a need to set a benchmark for international standards and there should be no compromise from day one.  Work is being done to create the right ecosystem for inbound tourism. Resources should be pooled through coordination with other departments and utilised in creating infrastructure for tourism development. 

Speaking on the innovative initiatives MP Tourism has undertaken to bring these destinations to the forefront during the 3rd session of convention 'Discovering the Undiscovered', Managing Director State Tourism Development Corporation Shri Ilayaraja T said that more than 90 properties are being operated by Madhya Pradesh Corporation for hospitality to tourists in the state. Madhya Pradesh is the cleanest, greenest and safest tourist destination in the country. Madhya Pradesh has a wonderful combination of culture, history, archaeology and geology. We have tied up with Eco Tourism Board, so that infrastructure i.e. resorts and hotels can be constructed in a sustainable manner to increase sustainable tourism. Mahakal Lok and Ujjain have gained fame in spiritual tourism and the state is also leading in responsible tourism. Taking community participation in the field of tourism a step further, a hotel property run only by women is being constructed in Hotel Amaltas Pachmarhi. President ATOAI Padmashree Ajit Bajaj, MD & CEO CGH Earth Mr Michael Dominic and Chairman Antara Luxury River Cruises Mr Raj Singh also presented their views in the session.

Special session on Madhya Pradesh

A special session on Madhya Pradesh was organized during the conference. In this, Additional Managing Director of Tourism Board, Ms. Bidisha Mukherjee invited various stakeholders to visit Madhya Pradesh including travel agents and tour operators who came to Bhopal for the convention. She said that Madhya Pradesh's natural beauty, ancient history, preserved heritage, diversity in wildlife and forest areas are attracting tourists from all over the world. With the aim of making the state more safe for women tourists, especially solo women tourists, participation of women in the tourism sector is being increased. Women are being trained in 48 job roles in 8 sectors of the tourism sector. She also threw light on various places of cultural and spiritual importance of the state.

In another session on 'Chasing Hotel for Inbound Tourism', representatives of the country's prestigious chain hotels ITC, the Leela, the Fern, Sarovar and Pride shared their views on development of the hospitality industry in the country and Madhya Pradesh. Thereafter, in another session on ‘Last Mile Connectivity,’ there was discussion on streamlining air connectivity in the country and the state as per the demand of tourists. Representatives of the country's prestigious organizations Air India, STIC, Lotus Aero and ITTA addressed this session. The last session of the day on the topic ‘Marketing and Promotion of Inbound Tourism’ guided all IATO members on the using media effectively to enhance tourism promotion.

Glimpse of states and reputed brands in Travel Mart
Attractive stalls from Madhya Pradesh and other states and reputed brands have been set up in Travel Mart to introduce IATO members and travel and tour operators to tourism products. Delegates are being invited to bring maximum number of tourists to the state through brochures, booklets, souvenirs and local food of tourist destinations. Reputed brands like Hotel Pride, Palace on Wheels including the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh have set up stalls.

IATO Run for Responsible Tourism at 6 am
On Sunday, the last day of the IATO conference ‘IATO Run for Responsible Tourism’ is being organised at 6 am. This 5 km walk will be organized to introduce the IATO members to the natural beauty and heritage of Bhopal city. The run will start from VIP Road and end at Gauhar Mahal via Imperial Segway.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla will conclude
The closing ceremony of IATO will be held at Hotel Taj at 2:30 pm. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla will be the chief guest at the ceremony. Various IATO honours will also be presented along with the closing ceremony.