TTU: Madhya Pradesh saw a massive rise in tourist numbers in 2024. Compared to 2020, the tourist footfall in Madhya Pradesh went up by 526%. A total of 13.41 crore people visited the state this year. The increase came from local and international tourists alike.
Tourist Footfall in Madhya Pradesh Driven by Religious Travel
Religious places received the highest number of visitors. Around 10.7 crore people visited spiritual destinations in 2024. This marked a 21.9% increase from the previous year.
Ujjain emerged as the most visited destination. It received 7.32 crore visitors in 2024. This was a 39% jump from 2023. Other popular religious spots included Maihar with 1.33 crore visitors, Amarkantak with 40 lakh, Salkanpur with 26 lakh, and Omkareshwar with 24 lakh.
Government projects like Mahakal Lok, Shri Ram Vanagaman Path, and Omkareshwar Mahalok played a key role. These efforts improved facilities and helped boost spiritual tourism.
Heritage and Wildlife Attractions Add to Tourist Footfall in Madhya Pradesh
Heritage tourism also grew strongly. In 2024, over 80 lakh people visited cultural sites. This was a 25% rise from the 64 lakh tourists in 2023. Gwalior attracted over 9 lakh people, up from 3.69 lakh the year before. Khajuraho had 4.89 lakh visitors. Bhojpur and Maheshwar also saw strong numbers.
Madhya Pradesh is home to 18 UNESCO-recognised heritage sites. These include three permanent sites and 15 on the tentative list. Bhojpur is the most recent addition.
Wildlife tourism also saw strong growth. Bandhavgarh had 1.94 lakh visitors. Kanha and Pench followed with 2.45 lakh and 1.92 lakh tourists, respectively. Panna welcomed 3.85 lakh, and Madhai received 4.34 lakh visitors.
The cheetah project at Kuno Palpur drew global attention. The state continues to attract nature lovers with its 12 national parks, 25 sanctuaries, and 9 tiger reserves.
Foreign Tourist Numbers Also Increased
In 2024, 1.67 lakh foreign tourists visited Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho saw the most with 33,131 international visitors. Orchha received 13,960, and Gwalior had 10,823.
Urban areas also saw an increase. Indore welcomed 9,964 foreign visitors, while Bhopal received 1,522. Wildlife parks also recorded foreign footfall—Bandhavgarh had 29,192, Kanha 19,148, Panna 12,762, and Pench 11,272.
Nature and Adventure Tourism on the Rise
Natural spots are becoming more popular. In 2024, Pachmarhi received 2.87 lakh visitors. Bhedaghat attracted 2.34 lakh. Other scenic spots included Gandhi Sagar, Sailani Island, Patalkot Valley, and Sarsi Island. These destinations offered camping, trekking, and water-based activities.
Hanuwantiya, Tamia, and Amarkantak also drew many travellers. The state is promoting these areas for eco and adventure tourism.
Planning a Trip to Madhya Pradesh?
Tourist footfall in Madhya Pradesh continues to grow due to better infrastructure, government efforts, and community support. The state has become a top travel destination in India.
If you’re planning to explore Madhya Pradesh, you can reach out to Ghum India Ghum for Madhya Pradesh tour packages. They offer curated travel plans to help you discover the best of the region.
