In the announcement of the National Tourism Awards 2018-19, Tourism Minister Usha Thakur received numerous awards on the behalf of the State. The National Tourism Awards 2018-19 was organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in New Delhi on the occasion of World Tourism Day, and once again the flag of Madhya Pradesh is flying high after receiving 8 National Awards.

The ‘Heart of India’ Madhya Pradesh received national awards in 8 different categories creating history in itself. The ceremony commenced in the auspicious presence of The honorary Vice President of the country, Jagdeep Dhankhar where Union Tourism Minister G K Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Tourism Ajay Bhatt presented the honours to Usha Thakur, Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture, Spirituality Department, Government of MP.

Mayor Indore Pushyamitra Bhargava, Mayor Ujjain Mukesh Tatwal, Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director Tourism Board Sheo Shekhar Shukla and Additional Managing Director Tourism Board Vivek Shrotriya were especially present.

Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture Department, and Managing Director, MP Tourism Board, and Vivek Shrotriya- Additional Managing Director, Tourism Board, were also especially present.

A proud moment to receive National Award: Minister Thakur

Minister Thakur said that it is a proud moment for Madhya Pradesh to receive the award from the Ministry of Tourism. She said, under the guidance of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the State has made innovations in tourism which will continue in the future also. This award is the result of the hard work of all the officers and employees of the Tourism Department. Tourism award will act as inspiration: Shukla: Principal Secretary Shukla said that the National Tourism Award will act as an inspiration for all of us. Work has already been started in the state on the theme of World Tourism Day 2022 ‘Re-thinking tourism’. Tourism facilities and services are being expanded in the State with the concept of Sabka Sahyog aur Sabka Vikas by strengthening the local community. Award List: Indore, the cleanest city in the country has received the award for ‘Civic Management of a Tourist Destination in India’ (Category A). The State has so far received 7 awards in this category. Mandu in 2010-11 and 2011-12, Pachmarhi in 2012-13, Maheshwar in 2013-14, Khargone (Category B) in 2015-16 and Omkareshwar (Category B) in 2016-17. ‘Swachh Paryatan Sthan-Western Region’ Ujjain. Shiv Mandir Bhojpur has received the award for ‘Best Maintained and Disabled Friendly Monument’. Before this, the state has received this honour for Sanchi Stupa in 2017-18, Amarkantak temple in 2014-15 and Shiv Mandir Bhojpur in 2013-14. Devi Ahilya Bai Airport, Indore, has received this award for the third year in a row for ‘Best Airport-Rest of India’. Received ‘Excellence in Publishing-Hindi’ award for Bhitti Chitra of Malwa. This honour was received for Simhastha brochure in 2015-16. Bhopal Brochure has received award for ‘Best Tourism Promotion Publicity Material’. Earlier this honour has been received for Lonely Planet Pocket Books in 2017-18 and Corporate Brochure of MPSTDC in 2010-11. Subhash Bhavre of Pench Reserve has received the award for ‘Best Wildlife Guide, Western-Central’. Manoj Kumar Dwivedi from Panna in 2017-18, Radhika Prasad Omre from Panna in 2016-17 and Saeb Khan from Satpura in 2015-16 have received this award. Courtyard House Homestay at village Patpara, in Kanha National Park, Mandla has received the award for ‘Incredible India Bed and Breakfast Establishments Approved by State Government’. State has received awards for first time in categories Clean Tourism Place– Western Region (Ujjain) and Incredible India Bed and Breakfast Establishment Approved by State Government (Courtyard Homestay, Mandla). Guides has been honoured for fourth time in a row for ‘Best Wildlife Guide’.