Bhopal, Sep 17 (IANS) The Indian Heritage Hotel Association (IHHA) has urged that the Madhya Pradesh government strengthen the state’s basic infrastructure to develop it as a tourism hub.
Describing Madhya Pradesh as a state with tremendous potential in heritage tourism, IHHA and Welcome Heritage Company (Jodhpur) Chairman and former royal Gajraj Singh said here Sunday that the state had all the ingredients required to make it a successful heritage tourism model.
IHHA is a 140-member national body of heritage hoteliers.
Singh said that though Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan had many similarities, the former was richer in natural resources. Madhya Pradesh, he said, has a number of national parks and sanctuaries and could target a specific segment of tourists.
He added that various tourist spots had been identified and handed over a list to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The Eton and Oxford educated Gajraj Singh also said that like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh too was home to a number of former royal families, who could be roped in to promote heritage tourism.
He put forth the idea of starting a ‘Palace on Wheels’ train connecting Bhopal, Ujjain, Satna and Rewa on the lines of a similar train service in Rajasthan.
But he stressed on the necessity of improving infrastructure, including roads, air connectivity and electricity. He suggested that tourist attractions like sound and lights shows and adventure sports be introduced.