MP Tourism Board wins Inland Water Tourism Excellence Award 2024

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has received the prestigious 'Inland Water Tourism Excellence Award 2024' at the Marine Tourism Awards, organised by Luxlife, a UK-based travel magazine. The award recognises exceptional achievements in marine and water-based tourism worldwide.

The board was recognised for its innovative contributions to water tourism, which improved the overall tourist experience and enhanced the infrastructure around the state's water bodies. These efforts have bolstered the state's standing as a key inland water tourism destination.

Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture and Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, highlighted the importance of this recognition. "This award is a testament to our state's natural resources and the innovations undertaken in the tourism sector," he said, adding that the state is continually working towards conserving and sustainably developing its water bodies to promote tourism.

Currently, Madhya Pradesh offers 37 different water-based activities across 22 notified water bodies in partnership with private stakeholders. It also operates 16 boat clubs, providing unique experiences such as scuba diving at Sailani Island. The state has also identified six cruise projects, with work already in progress on a cruise route from Omkareshwar's Statue of Oneness to Gujarat's Statue of Unity. Additionally, hydrographic surveys have been completed for three cruise projects, with route surveys for the remaining three set to begin soon.

Shukla expressed pride in the department's ongoing efforts, saying, "This award reflects our consistent push to establish Madhya Pradesh as a leading destination for inland water tourism, offering visitors an unforgettable blend of nature, culture, and hospitality."