Tourism is emerging as a vital source of livelihood for women, offering diverse opportunities across sectors. In Madhya Pradesh, women are actively contributing to the industry through rural tourism, hotel management, and handicrafts. By leveraging their skills, they are securing employment and playing a significant role in driving the state’s tourism growth.

On this occasion, Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Department and
Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, said, “Women are not just a source of inspiration
but a symbol of transformation. Women in tourism are setting new milestones with their capabilities,
increasing their self-reliance, and strengthening both society and the economy.”

Empowering Women Through Tourism in Madhya Pradesh

Rural Homestays: A Success Story

The Rural Homestay Scheme, launched by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, is transforming the lives of women by offering them self-employment opportunities. Tourists are drawn to the traditional mud homestays crafted by rural women, adorned with intricate handicraft paintings that showcase the region’s rich artistic heritage. These homestays have become a major source of income, providing financial independence to many women.

In Savarwani village, recognized as the ‘Best Tourism Village’ in Chhindwara district, rural women sold 1,350 kg of ghee, earning approximately ₹11 lakh from visiting tourists. This initiative has helped them achieve greater financial stability and independence.

Training and Skill Development for Women

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is actively working towards women’s economic empowerment through its Safe Tourism Project for Women. As part of this initiative:

• Over 8,300 women have received specialized skill training to enhance their employability.
• More than 36,000 women across 50 tourist sites have been trained in self-defense to ensure their safety.
• Over 5,000 women have been provided employment opportunities, including training as gypsy drivers and boat operators, expanding their participation in the tourism industry.

Women-Led Hospitality Ventures: Handloom Café & Hotel Amaltas

Madhya Pradesh is setting an example in women-led tourism enterprises with unique initiatives:

• The state’s first women-operated handloom café has been launched in Pranpur village, Ashoknagar district. Managed entirely by women, this café celebrates Chanderi’s textile heritage, providing local artisans with a platform to showcase and sell their handcrafted textiles.
• The first women-operated hotel, ‘Amaltas’, has been established in Pachmarhi. This initiative offers women employment in hospitality, spanning front office management, culinary services, security, and customer relations.

Women’s Empowerment Showcased at the Global Investment Summit

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is also promoting local women artisans by producing over 24 handcrafted souvenirs. During the Global Investment Summit, custom-designed bags featuring Madhya Pradesh’s cultural heritage were distributed as souvenirs. These unique bags were crafted by women trained under the Safe Tourism Destination for Women initiative.

Driving Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Tourism

Madhya Pradesh’s tourism initiatives are not only preserving the state’s cultural and artistic traditions but also playing a pivotal role in empowering women. By providing employment opportunities, skill training, and financial independence, the state is setting a model for sustainable and inclusive tourism.

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