Madhya Pradesh tourism tops 210 million visits in 2025

Madhya Pradesh recorded more than 210 million tourist visits in 2025, with international arrivals rising 9.1% and wildlife tourism among overseas visitors up 17.44%. The gains underscore the state’s growing appeal across wildlife, heritage, spirituality and community-based travel.

Why it matters: - Madhya Pradesh is drawing more visitors across multiple tourism segments, which can support jobs, local businesses and conservation-linked travel. - International wildlife demand is growing faster than overall overseas arrivals, strengthening the state’s position in nature-based tourism. - The mix of heritage, spiritual and community tourism gives Madhya Pradesh a broader visitor base than a single-attraction destination.

What happened: - Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board said the state recorded more than 210 million tourist visits in 2025. - International visitor arrivals reached 183,035 in 2025. - International arrivals were up 9.10% from 2024. - Overall tourist arrivals rose about 57% year over year, driven mainly by domestic travel. - Total tourist arrivals increased from more than 48 million in 2021 to more than 210 million in 2025.

The details: - Wildlife tourism accounted for more than half of all international visitors, with 93,412 overseas tourists visiting wildlife destinations. - International visitation to the wildlife segment grew 17.44% in 2025. - Madhya Pradesh has 11 national parks, nine tiger reserves and 24 wildlife sanctuaries. - Bandhavgarh attracted 31,390 international visitors. - Kanha received 23,992 international visitors. - Kuno National Park drew 6,316 international visitors amid continued global interest in India’s cheetah conservation programme. - Wildlife visits across the state totaled about 1.7 million in 2025. - Heritage and archaeological destinations recorded several million visits. - Khajuraho, Sanchi and Bhimbetka are Madhya Pradesh’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. - Gwalior, Mandu and Orchha are part of the state’s broader heritage circuit. - Madhya Pradesh has 15 sites on India’s UNESCO Tentative List. - Orchha, Mandu and Satpura Tiger Reserve are among those tentative-list sites. - Spiritual and pilgrimage destinations including Ujjain, Chitrakoot, Maihar and Amarkantak recorded substantial visitor numbers. - Spiritual tourism made up a significant share of domestic travel. - Pranpur near Chanderi is recognized as India’s first Craft Handloom Tourism Village. - Visitors to Pranpur can watch Chanderi weaving, meet artisans and experience the craft in its local setting. - Madhya Pradesh is developing six rural Astro Villages across different districts. - The state is also expanding homestays and community-based tourism initiatives.

Between the lines: - The tourism data suggests Madhya Pradesh is not relying on one flagship attraction. - Wildlife is becoming a stronger international draw, while heritage and pilgrimage continue to anchor domestic demand. - Community and craft-based experiences appear designed to spread tourism benefits beyond major urban and park destinations.

What’s next: - Madhya Pradesh is expected to keep expanding tourism offerings across wildlife, heritage, spirituality, crafts, rural communities and nature-based travel. - The state’s growing international wildlife profile could help deepen overseas arrivals if conservation and visitor access remain strong. - New astro-tourism and homestay projects may add fresh reasons for repeat visits and longer stays.

The bottom line: - Madhya Pradesh is scaling up as a multi-theme tourism market, with wildlife and heritage helping drive both domestic growth and rising international interest.