In an effort to boost tourism, Madhya Pradesh will convert seven government-owned forts and around 20 private heritage properties into hotels. The Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Department Corporation (MPSTDC) will invite private parties to invest in tourism infrastructure.

At the first ever tourism conclave organised by MP Tourism and FICCI in Khajuraho last week, government and private stakeholders converged to discuss ways to attract tourists to the state.

Only 41.7 million domestic tourists visited MP in 2011. In contrast, Andhra Pradesh had 155 million visitors, and UP had 144 million as per a report in Indian Express by Shalini Narayan.

An investment report released by the state focused on new initiatives such as ‘caravan tourism’, adventure sports and ecotourism. MP invested in three caravans — luxury buses — in 2010, and developed exclusive areas in Bhopal and Jabalpur.

For private investors, though, connectivity remains a problem. “Our hotel in Khajuraho has an occupancy of only 15 per cent. Infrastructure has to be developed for investment by private players,” Jyotsna Suri, chairperson of FICCI’s tourism committee and owner of the Lalit group of hotels, said.