Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that rural tourism is an effective medium of self-reliance and self-pride. While tourism activities at the village level provide employment and economic development opportunities to the youth at the local level, tourism activities also help in getting our rich cultural heritage, festivals and food recognized at the national and international level.
CM said the home-stays being developed in the state are becoming a medium to realize the spirit of "Atithi Devo Bhava" of the Indian cultural tradition. It is the effort of the home-stay operators and the state government that all the guests coming to the state should go back with a positive image and good memories about the state with them. CM Mohan Yadav expressed these views while addressing the state level festival Gramen Rang Paryatan Sang (rural colors with tourism). He inaugurated the program by lighting a lamp in the Kushabhau Thackeray auditorium.
Website launched for Responsible Tourism Mission
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav observed the exhibition organized by the participants and institutions of various districts under the Gramen Rang Paryatan Sang Utsav with the aim of promoting activities focused on rural tourism. CM Mohan Yadav launched a dedicated micro website for the Responsible Tourism Mission of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and virtually inaugurated 241 home-stays built in various villages of the state.
MoU to promote tourism
In the program, an MoU was exchanged between Signifying and MP Tourism Board for the development of rural tourism to install LED and solar lights in 61 villages. Also, MoU was exchanged between Scope Global Skill University and Tourism Board for film production and digital promotion and MoU was exchanged between MP Tourism Board and MPSEDC.
Tourism will also get the benefit of Wellness Summit
The CM said that helicopter service will soon be started for tourists in the state through the State Tourism Board on the lines of Uttarakhand. The state government has organized a summit to increase wellness facilities for tourists. This will boost medical tourism in the state and will benefit the economy of the state.
CM interacted with home-stay operators
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav honored 10 district collectors including Narmadapuram, Agar, Chhatarpur, Niwari, Morena, Sehore, Sidhi and Panna who achieved 100 percent target in home-stay construction. Home-stays are being built in 37 districts of the state. The CM honored the Sarpanchs of 16 Gram Panchayats and representatives of related institutions including DATCC by giving them certificates for providing cooperation in increasing rural tourism in the districts. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also interacted with home-stay operators of other districts including Chhindwara.
Target to build one thousand home-stays
Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) Dharmendra Bhavsingh Lodhi said that 121 villages of the state have been selected and 241 home-stays have been prepared. The government has set a target of building 1000 home-stays.
Facilities are being developed for Divyang brothers and sisters
Principal Secretary Tourism Sheo Shekhar Shukla highlighted the role of Responsible Tourism Mission. Ten thousand women have been given training in hospitality. Facilities are being developed at tourist destinations for Divyang brothers and sisters.
Prakash Kumar Pandey