More tourists visiting Madhya Pradesh; Bhopal to get its 1st 5-star hotel

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh registered a significant increase of 18.5 per cent in domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in 2013-14, according to the state government.

"In 2013-14, a total of 6.34 crore domestic and 2.80 lakh foreign tourists arrived in Madhya Pradesh, an increase of 18.50 per cent over 2012-13," Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) Surendra Patwa said here today.

Talking to reporters about the performance of his department, Patwa said the state capital will get its first five-star hotel in the next two or three years.

The proposed five-star hotel and an international convention centre would be constructed near the Minto Hall (the old Assembly building), he said.

"We are also working on a plan to conserve and promote Tajmahal (a heritage site) in Bhopal and have received a plan to develop it as a 100-room hotel. We are also conserving Minto Hall (old Assembly building) and consulting experts from IIT-Chennai," the minister said.

Referring to the Global Investors Summit-2014, he said 'intention to invest' proposals worth Rs 6,000 crore were approved during the meet while during the 2012 summit, 11 MoUs worth Rs 1,437 crore had been inked.

The state also bagged best state award, best civic management award for Pachmari and best tourism film award from the Union Government, he pointed out.