Unique glimpses of hospitality, handicrafts, and rural tourism showcased at Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2026 Exhibition
The AI avatar 'Mowgli' stole the show at the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Pavilion, showcasing the future of tourism through technology.
The 'Panchvati' tourism village has been adorned with the vibrant hues of rural culture, folk music, and traditional arts.
Sustainable tourism has been promoted through paperless event management, single-use plastic-free arrangements, and the use of electric vehicles (EVs).
Bhopal: Various facets of tourism, hospitality, technology, handicrafts, and rural tourism took center stage at the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart 2026 exhibition. The event features 177 stalls, providing a commercial platform for tourist destinations, hotels, resorts, travel and tour operators, homestays, traditional arts, and handicrafts from Madhya Pradesh as well as other parts of the country and abroad.
The exhibition aims to bring together diverse stakeholders from the tourism sector to foster business partnerships and establish Madhya Pradesh as a major global tourist destination.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Pavilion: A blend of technology and tourist destinations
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Pavilion showcases the state's historical monuments, rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, wildlife tourism, and diverse tourism experiences through modern technology. Visitors are gaining insights into the state's key tourist spots and available experiences via large digital screens, interactive kiosks, and digital displays.
A major highlight of the pavilion is an AI-based digital initiative featuring the AI avatar 'Mowgli'. Through 'Mowgli,' visitors can interactively access information about Madhya Pradesh's tourist destinations, local experiences, and travel options tailored to their preferences.
This AI avatar also assists in creating potential travel itineraries based on tourists' choices and travel needs. With this initiative, Madhya Pradesh Tourism aims to integrate digital innovation into the travel planning process for tourists.
Rural tourism exhibition
A dedicated rural tourism exhibition has been curated at the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart (MPTM) 2026 to showcase authentic rural tourism experiences. Here, tourists can immerse themselves in the rich culture and lifestyle of villages through traditional homestays, bullock-cart rides, performances by local folk musicians, and demonstrations of traditional arts like pottery making.
This initiative marks a significant step towards boosting rural tourism and creating new employment opportunities for local artists, artisans, and rural communities.
Meanwhile, art and craft stalls are showcasing the state's rich creative heritage through Bagh prints, Chanderi sarees, Bhil art, Batik prints, and other traditional handicrafts. These initiatives play a crucial role in connecting local artisans, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs associated with rural tourism to broader markets.
Emphasis on Responsible Tourism and Eco-friendly Measures
At MPTM 2026, priority is being given to environmental conservation and responsible tourism alongside tourism development. Measures have been implemented to ensure the event is entirely single-use plastic-free and paperless. The use of kits made from local jute and fabric, traditional earthenware and kulhads (clay cups), and eco-friendly handicrafts for guests is being promoted.
Emphasis has been placed on using electric vehicles (EVs) for guest transportation to reduce the carbon footprint.
The third day of the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart advances the objective of showcasing the state's tourism diversity, technological innovation, local art and culture, and commitment to sustainable tourism on a unified platform.